Cardi B Asks Judge to Exclude Past as Exotic Dancer and Gang Activity from Upcoming Assault Trial

Cardi B is fighting to keep her past out of the courtroom as she prepares for a heated legal battle with a former security guard who claims the rapper assaulted her during a brief encounter in 2018.

In court documents obtained exclusively by In Touch, the Grammy-winning artist, 32, has asked a judge to ban any mention of her past as an exotic dancer, alleged drug use, or prior altercations unrelated to the case during the trial, which is set to begin on May 12.

The lawsuit stems from an incident on February 24, 2018, when Emani Ellis, a security guard working at a Beverly Hills medical building, claimed Cardi B physically attacked her, using long fingernails and “sharp objects” to scratch her face, as well as allegedly spitting on her and using racial slurs. Ellis also accused the rapper of using her influence to get her fired.

Cardi B has denied all allegations and claimed she acted in self-defense, stating she was pregnant at the time and concerned about her privacy being violated when Ellis began filming her outside her obstetrician’s office.

In her recent filing, Cardi’s legal team argued that allowing the jury to hear about unrelated past incidents—including her former association with the Bloods gang, her music lyrics, or media portrayals—would unfairly prejudice the case.

“There is a serious danger that the jury will believe… that [Cardi] is a ‘bad person’ and seek to improperly punish her,” her attorney stated, emphasizing that Ellis’ claims revolve around a brief 60- to 90-second altercation that left no visible injuries.

Ellis, who filed the lawsuit in 2020, claims she continues to suffer from both physical and emotional damage. Cardi’s team, however, noted Ellis did not seek medical attention for the alleged scratch until over four years after the incident.

A judge has yet to rule on Cardi’s request.