Is Cardi B’s viral court appearance the drama?
A Los Angeles jury found Cardi not liable for assault and battery against former security guard, Emani Ellis, who sued her for $24 million over alleged assault and battery, on Tuesday, Sept. 2.
One day later, the rapper began selling limited versions of her upcoming Am I the Drama? album using viral meme photos of herself in court as the artwork.
Listed as the “Courtroom Edition” of Cardi’s forthcoming second album, four new variants (three CDs and one vinyl record) are available, each using funny screenshots of her viral reactions in court.
“I mean look!… BY POPULAR DEMAND, the court room edition of AM I THE DRAMA? is available NOW,” wrote Cardi on social media.
In 2020, Ellis claimed the “Outside” artist assaulted her outside of a Beverly Hills medical office in February 2018.
The jury’s verdict said Cardi won’t have to pay any of the damages, and she was not found guilty of Ellis’ claims that the rapper hit her, cut her face, spit on her and said racial slurs to her.
According to the jury, Ellis failed to prove any of her claims that Cardi engaged in assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence.
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After Cardi took the stand to testify during the trial, several of her impassioned exchanges with the plaintiff’s lawyer, Ron Rosen Janfaza, went viral due to her unfiltered, expletive-laced responses and animated expressions, including eye rolls and shrugs.
In another viral moment while Cardi was testifying, Rosen Janfaza asked her about legal terms and said, “When I’m talking to you now, are we having a verbal altercation?”
Cardi replied, “We’re having, I’ll say, a debate,” drawing a laugh from the crowd in the courtroom.
Following the verdict, Cardi told reporters outside the courtroom, “I did not touch that woman. With that being said, this time around, I’m gonna be nice. The next time someone tries to do a frivolous lawsuit against me, I’m going to countersue. I’m going to make you pay, because this is not okay.”
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She continued, “I think people have this misinterpretation of celebrities, that like, ‘Oh well, we can ask for this and they’re going to settle.’ You don’t work at home, and you don’t work all day, and you don’t work for your money to give out your money. So don’t ever think I’m just gonna give you my money that I work hard for. I don’t lay in bed all day. I work all day, and I work hard for my money for my kids and for people I take care of.”
Cardi also asked her fans to leave Ellis and her family alone on social media, explaining she wants to “put this all behind.”
Am I the Drama? is set for a Sept. 19 release and will feature the singles “Imaginary Playerz,” “Outside,” “Up” and “WAP.”
