Cardi B gets grilled about appearance and gang ties in ongoing assault trial with Emani Ellis

Cardi B’s civil assault trial saw unusual questions on wigs, nails and gang ties, with her defence objecting.

Cardi B’s ongoing civil assault trial stemming from a 2018 incident with security guard Emani Ellis took an unusual turn on as lawyers asked the Grammy-winning rapper unexpected questions.

Independent legal journalist Meghann Cuniff reported from court as Cardi B faced queries that seemed to stray from the alleged assault. One lawyer asked whether her hair was real, to which she laughed and replied, "They're wigs."

Oh my God, this lawyer suing Cardi B.

"Which one is your real hair? Or are they both real?" plaintiff's lawyer Ron Rosen asked.

"They're wigs," Cardi B answered.

Then he asked if she's affiliated with a gang. pic.twitter.com/KrzgMhDm0F

— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) August 26, 2025

The line of questioning shifted abruptly when the lawyer asked if she had any gang affiliation. Her legal team immediately objected, and the judge sustained.

In April, Cardi B’s lawyers had argued to exclude references to her past, including alleged gang associations, stripping history, and drug-related claims. They noted that such details risked prejudicing the jury by portraying her as a “bad person” rather than focusing on the evidence of the case.

The questioning also touched on her nails, with the lawyer pressing whether they were sharp and capable of causing injury. Cardi B explained her nails were short, rounded, and “opal” shaped, estimating them at less than an inch long.

She further said that applying three-inch nails could take several hours, depending on the material. Ellis has alleged that Cardi B attacked her with long nails, a claim the rapper denies.

Ellis, then a security guard at a Beverly Hills medical office, testified that Cardi became physical during the encounter.

In contrast, Cardi’s lawyer argued Ellis was aggressive, recording her and acting belligerent. Cardi, pregnant at the time, stated she “never” touched Ellis and feared for her safety and her unborn child.