.jpg)
2 hours ago
2
Why Cardi B Is in Court: Unpacking Her Viral Moments
Cardi B had some trouble staying up.
The rapper’s recent trial—for which she was cleared of any legal liability after being accused of assaulting a former security guard outside of a Beverly Hills office building in 2018—had many viral moments, including one where she confirmed to a lawyer for the plaintiff that, yes, she’d been wearing wigs to court, and another in which it appeared she was falling asleep during closing arguments.
“I’m not even gonna lie, I was,” Cardi confessed to Jennifer Hudson Sept. 15 of the suspected in-court nap. “I had a long night—I’m in the middle of a [sic] album roll out. I was so sleepy.”
She continued, “I was trying to fight it, but it’s like I can’t. I just couldn’t.”
The 32-year-old even demonstrated the breathing technique she employed to try not to fall asleep—breathing in through her nose and out through her mouth—before admitting, “But I did.”
The trial ended on Sept. 2, after which Cardi reaffirmed her innocence outside the courthouse.
“I'm not even playing around,” she said, per NBC News. “Even if I'm at my death bed, I swear to God, I will say it at my death bed—I did not touch that woman.”
The 32-year-old also shared her desire that her fans don’t go after the plaintiff, Emani Ellis.
DUTCH/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
“I hope that this is something that I leave behind [and] that she leaves behind,” Cardi continued. “Don’t go bother her. Don’t be talking about her. Don’t talk about how she looks. Don’t call her no nasty names.”
In the lawsuit, Ellis accused Cardi (born Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar) of spitting on her, scratching her face and using racial slurs during their confrontation, according to court documents obtained by NBC News.
While Cardi confirmed the pair had a verbal encounter, the Grammy winner denied having any physical contact with Ellis, who she said had been appearing to film Cardi on her phone while Cardi was pregnant with her daughter Kulture, now 7.
While recounting the exchange during cross examination, Cardi—who also shares kids Wave, 3, and Blossom, 11 months, with ex Offset—explained, per NBC News, “I said, ‘B-tch, get the f--k outta my face, why you in my face, why you recording me? Ain't you supposed to be security?’”
The trial had many moments that circulated online, including one where a lawyer for the plaintiff asked how Cardi had shown up to court with so many different hairstyles and hair colors. As she explained to the lawyer, “They’re wigs.”
For more of Cardi over the years, keep reading.
(E! News and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)
Francois Durand/Getty Images for Messik
Très Chic
Oooh la la! Cardi B dazzled at Messika's Spring-Summer 2025 show during Paris Fashion Week.
Hoda Davaine/Dave Benett/Getty Images
Turning Heads
More fashionable looks? Oui. The Grammy winner also attended Vivienne Westwood's Paris Fashion Week show.
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Unforgettable Met Gala Moment
Cardi made jaws drop with her Windowsen gown at the 2024 Met Gala.
MICHAEL TRAN/AFP via Getty Images
Hollywood Glamour
She also stunned at the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscars after-party in this sexy lace Versace dress.
John Shearer/WireImage
Captivating Cardi
The "Bodak Yellow" artist went for a black and white floral-adorned gown by Chen Peng Studio at the 2023 Met Gala.
Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Vanity Fair
Lady in Red
Cardi ruled the red carpet in a crimson design by Robert Wun at the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscars after-party.
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images
Feather Fantasy
The musician made a showstopping entrance at Schiaparelli's Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture show in 2023.
Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images for Fendi
Shining Bright
Cardi was shining bright at the Fendi Haute Couture fall/winter 2023/2024 show during Paris Fashion Week.
Matt Baron/Shutterstock
Stunting & Shining
The "I Like It" artist looked like a golden goddess in an Atelier Versace chained gown during the 2022 MET Gala.
Peter White/Getty Images
In the News
Cardi also looked chic at Balenciaga's Paris Fashion Week show in 2021, where she wore a magazine-pattern trench coat, black hat, matchings gloves and coordinating shoes.
Dean Chapple/Shutterstock
Fierce Fuchsia
The "Please Me" star rocked a glittery fuchsia pink catsuit during the 2022 Wireless Festival.
Joseph Okpako/WireImage
Sheer Style
Cardi also sparkled in a black jumpsuit at the festival.
Beretta/Sims/Shutterstock
Biker Babe
Cardi B rocked a biker-inspired leather outfit with spike detailing during Paris Fashion Week in 2022.
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for MRC
Slayed in Schiaparelli
The "WAP" rapper arrived at the 2021 America Music Awards in a black dress, matching veil and gold mask.
Marc Piasecki/WireImage
Fierce in Feathers
Cardi sported a sequined ruby gown and feathers at a 2021 Thierry Mugler Couturissime event.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Grammy Ready
Celebrity hairstylist Tokyo Stylez used Joico color, styling and care products on the rapper before her 2021 Grammys performance.
Marc Piasecki/GC Images
Green Goddess
Cardi B was going green in this Richard Quinn catsuit and matching ruffled headpiece at Paris Fashion Week in 2021.
Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images
Jewel in the Crown
Talks about a mic-drop moment. The star rocked the 2019 Grammys red carpet with this over-the-top Thierry Mugler gown from its 1995 archive.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Fierce and Fabulous
Not surprisingly, Cardi, a.k.a., Belcalis Almanzar, dropped jaws during her 2019 Grammys performance. She took the stage in a 1995 archive Thierry Mugler bodysuit, which comes with larger-than-life feathers. Okurr!
Beretta/Sims/Shutterstock
Flower Power
She slayed Paris Fashion Week and she knew it. "I heard you b---hes were missing me at Fashion Week New York," she wrote on Instagram in 2019, while showing off her vibrant green floral ensemble. "I'm here to serve it to you mother-f--kers, and serve it to you cold."
Pierre Suu/Getty Images
Suited Up
Attending the Thom Browne show in Paris Fashion Week in 2019, the "Press" singer put on her finest fashion. As she noted on Instagram, she called her look, "THE TEACHER."
Broadimage/REX/Shutterstock
Green With Envy
Cardi knows how to make a state-mint, which is exactly what she did with this Ralph & Russo gown in 2019.
Cowgirl Couture
The "Money" rapper went country glam with this custom Bryan Hearns outfit for 2019 Rodeo Houston.
Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock
Perfectly Pink
As you can see, Cardi went all out for Rihanna's 2019 Diamond Ball gala and wore an over-the-top baby pink gown.
John Shearer/Getty Images for The Hollywood Reporter
Your Highness
The 2018 Met Gala theme brought Catholic motifs and religious-inspired designs to the extravagant event, and Bardi took us to church with her ostentatious Moschino gown and headpiece.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Coachella
Coachella Fashion
Cardi turned up the heat at Coachella 2018 with this custom, white-hot outfit by Bryan Hearns.
Andrew Lipovsky/NBC
Rocking the Stage
She also channeled Linda Evangelista with this 2018 ensemble that was almost identical to what the supermodel wore in the '90s. She dazzled in a bodysuit by Vex Clothing, custom accessories from Laurel Dewitt and vintage boots from Chanel.
Daniele Venturelli/Daniele Venturelli/WireImage
A Purrrrrfectly Bold Look
Cardi turned heads during Milan Fashion Week with her wild (literally) Dolce & Gabbana ensemble in 2018.
Thaddaeus McAdams/WireImage
Stop the Presses
Never one to shy away from bold prints and patterns, the star wore this Moschino dress during a 2017 dinner.
Maury Phillips/Getty Images for BET
Money Bag
She also made everyone green with envy in her custom emerald two-piece by Vex Clothing, Dare to Be Vintage robe and Balenciaga boots that year.
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
English (US)