Cardi B wins case filed by security guard, she is awarded $24M in assault case and prepares to release her new album Am I the Drama? (sept 19, 2025) and record hits and a round-the-globe tour in the offing.
Major Headlines: Cardi B cleared of $24 Million lawsuit.
- Civil Lawsuit Verdict
A Los Angeles jury decided unanimously on September 2, 2025, to acquit Cardi B., who is legally Belcalis Almánzar, of all charges in a $24 million civil assault case brought by former security guard Emani Ellis. The case was based on a situation that occurred in 2018 at an OB/GYN office in Beverly Hills, with Ellis alleging that she was physically assaulted, spat on, and called racial epithets by Cardi B, and was even scratched on the face with a fingernail.
After about one hour of deliberation, the jury voted in favor of Cardi B. Cardi B said that it was a verbal fight and that Ellis was recording her during a sensitive prenatal check-up. Even the witnesses, such as a doctor and a receptionist, claimed that they did not witness any physical contact.
- Cardi B’s Response & Next Steps
Following the decision, Cardi B condemned suits she considered to be frivolous and promised to defend against any future cases of the same kind. She also encouraged her fans not to harass the plaintiff Emani Ellis.
In the meantime, Ellis, who supported her, said she was pleased to get her day in court and said she intended to appeal the decision.
Other Notable Moments
- Courthouse Tussle with Paparazzo.
Following the court proceedings, Cardi B was caught on camera throwing a marker at a news reporter who questioned her about pregnancy rumors and her relationship with Offset- and screamed at her to give women more respect.
- Music & Tour Updates
In addition to her legal success, Cardi B is also increasing her music career. Her second studio album Am I the Drama will finally be released on September 19, 2025. Already she has released singles such as the songs of the new album, like the song “Outside” (June 20) and the song of the new album called Imaginary Playerz (August 15). Cardi also verified that an announcement of the tour will be made shortly after the album is released.
Further Analysis of a Civil Trial: The Ruling and The Charges of the Attack.
Background & Allegations
- In February 2018, Cardi B (Belcalis Almánzar) had a private prenatal checkup at an OB/GYN office in Beverly Hills, where he got into a fight with Emani Ellis, who worked in the medical office. Cardi was approximately four months pregnant at the time, and she had not announced the pregnancy publicly.
- Cardi B allegedly assaulted Ellis physically: She claimed that the celebrity tore her face with a three-inch acrylic nail, spat on her face, and called her racial slurs. She alleged emotional and monetary damages as well.
Defense and Witness Testimony by Cardi B.
- Cardi B even testified that she had never made physical contact. She insisted that the confrontation was not physical, and it was triggered by Ellis possibly violating her privacy and possibly recording the encounter at the time of the appointment.
- A physician and a receptionist who were present at the time of the incident testified that they had observed a heated verbal exchange, but nothing physical. The physician even witnessed Ellis beat the receptionist, rather than Cardi B.
- In cross-examination, Cardi exchanged quips with the lawyer representing Ellis, she claimed that she was too disabled to do anything about it due to her pregnancy, she jokingly hinted that she was physically incapable of striking Ellis since she was not touching her, and she restated that she could not scratch her because she was pregnant.
Verdict & Aftermath
- It took a less-than-an-hour-long 12-member jury to declare Cardi B innocent of all charges, including assault, battery, emotional distress, false imprisonment, negligence, and others.
- Cardi B lost her temper in court and said: I will not touch that woman this time around, I am going to be kind, but the next person to file a shallow lawsuit I will treat with hostility. I’m going to countersue.” She further told fans not to harass Ellis.
- Ellis has continued to insist on her side of the story and has indicated that she will appeal, but she has not done so yet.
Album Insights: Am I the Drama?
Release Details
- Am I the Drama? is the second studio album by Cardi B, which will be released on September 19, 2025, and is produced by Atlantic Records.
- The album was filmed over a period of almost six years (September 2019 -February 2025) and features 23 songs, including recently released singles such as WAP and Up as well as new ones.
Singles & Performance
- Outside was released on June 20, 2025 as the lead single on the album. It entered the Billboard 100 at position 10, becoming the 13th top-10 hit of Cardi, and her first since Enough (Miami) of 2024.
- On August 15, 2025, the second single, which was called Imaginary Playerz, was released.
Album Theme & Visuals
- The album title Am I the Drama? shows how she felt and how others saw her- Cardi literally accepts the drama commonly associated with her image. She even was inspired by a meme about RuPaul Drag Race alum Scarlet Envy.
- Aesthetically, the album cover and publicity present a haunting image of black birds (crows / ravens) – a theme she transferred on to the stage during her live performance at the Paris Fashion Week event at Schiaparelli where she was seen with a live bird.
Tour Plans
- Cardi B announced the Am I the Drama? first-ever solo headline tour. Tour, is very soon, and prep will start the same day as the album rollout.
- After the album is released, the fans and media speculates that the tour can be released as early as late September or October 2025.
- So the lead single of the album Outside also has Gold eligibility, selling more than 500,000 in the U.S., creating more buzz around her comeback.
Conclusion
Not only does the recent court win by Cardi B exonerate her of a years-long civil assault case, but it also promises to give the genre one of the most highly-anticipated comebacks of 2017. As she prepares to release her next album Am I the Drama? and a headlining tour approaches, she is shifting the focus back on her art and putting her foot down against frivolous lawsuits. This is the time when the creative and the legal sides of the rap superstar come to a crossroad.
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