Gang Allegations and Hair Controversy: Cardi B Faces Tough Questions in Court
During the second day of Cardi B’s civil assault trial on August 26, 2025, in Alhambra, California, plaintiff’s lawyer Ron Rosen asked the rapper, whose real name is Belcalis Almánzar, about her hair and alleged gang affiliations.
The trial stems from a 2018 incident where security guard Emani Ellis accused Cardi B of assault, battery, and emotional distress at a Beverly Hills medical office. Rosen noted Cardi’s change in appearance, asking, “Yesterday, you had black hair, short hair.
Today it’s blond and long. Which one is your real hair, or are they both real?” Cardi laughed and replied, “They’re wigs.” Rosen then complimented her, saying, “It’s a good wig then,” before pivoting to ask if she was affiliated with a gang, a question that was objected to by Cardi’s lawyer and sustained by Judge Ian Fusselman as irrelevant.
Rosen also inquired about her nails, asking her to show them in court and estimate their length, to which she responded they were less than an inch and “opal” shaped, not sharp. These questions frustrated the judge, who urged Rosen to focus on relevant case details.
The exchange, captured by legal reporter Meghann Cuniff, went viral on X, garnering 10 million views. Cardi denied any physical altercation, stating the incident was verbal and sparked by Ellis allegedly recording her during a private prenatal visit.
What Happened in Court
During her civil trial in Los Angeles, rapper Cardi B faced some unexpected—some would say offbeat—questions from the plaintiff’s attorney:
- Questioning Her Hair
One lawyer asked Cardi B, “Which one is your real hair? Or are they both real?” She replied with a laugh and rolled her eyes before clarifying, “They’re wigs.” HotNewHipHopHindustan Times - Gang Affiliation Query
The same attorney then asked whether she had any current affiliation with a gang. Cardi B’s legal team objected, and the judge sustained the objection, meaning she didn’t have to answer. HotNewHipHopHindustan Times - Nail Details
He also inquired about her nails—were they sharp? How long did they take to apply? Cardi B responded they were “opal” in shape, fake, round, and not longer than an inch. HotNewHipHop
These lines of questioning raised eyebrows across social media, quickly going viral and drawing both laughter and criticism from followers. Hindustan TimesCapital XTRA
What’s This Trial About?
The suit stems from a 2018 incident at an obstetrician’s office when Cardi B was several months pregnant. The security guard, Emani Ellis, alleges that Cardi B:
- Spat on her,
- Used racial slurs,
- Slashed her face with her fingernail.
Cardi B, however, firmly denies any physical assault—claiming the confrontation was in response to Ellis allegedly filming her. Page SixCapital XTRA
Summary
| Question Asked | Cardi B’s Response / Outcome |
|---|---|
| Is your hair real? | “They’re wigs.” Laugh, eye roll. |
| Gang affiliation? | Objection sustained—she didn’t have to answer. |
| Are your nails sharp and long? | Fake, round, opal shape—about an inch long. |
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