Cardi B cleared of assaulting security guard in £18 million lawsuit

Security guard Emani Ellis was suing the rapper for almost £18m.

Ms Ellis alleged she needed surgery after the 32-year-old cut her cheek with a three-inch fingernail and spat on her.

She claimed the altercation outside a medical facility in 2018 left her feeling 'traumatised'.

The hip-hop star, whose real name is Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, called it a "frivolous lawsuit".

Speaking to reporters following the ruling, Cardi B said: "I work all day and I work hard for my money, for my kids, for the people that I take care of.

"So don't you ever think that you're going to sue me, and I'm just going to settle."

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The Grammy-winning artist said the guard followed her out of the facility while filming her on their phone, and wouldn't give her space or privacy.

Cardi B was pregnant at the time of the altercation, which wasn't public knowledge.

She told the court she was worried the guard would reveal her pregnancy after hearing the guard tell someone on the phone about it.

The rapper testified that Ms Ellis then recorded her on their phone, and refused to "back up" before a "verbal altercation" unfolded.

The doctor, Tierra Malcolm, testified that she tried to break up the fight.

Ms Malcolm confirmed that Ms Ellis was the aggressor, and the guard was swinging her arms at Cardi B in an attempt to hit her.

The rapper said she "feared for her unborn baby".

She denied ever touching the guard or spitting on her.

Since it was a civil case, not a criminal one, the jury was asked to decide if Cardi B should be held liable for injuring Ms Ellis, and how much she should pay out for pain and suffering.

Cardi B told the court she's being sued for $24m (£17.9m) and that Ms Ellis was looking for a payout.