If Cardi B is there, expect a spectacle. And court is no exception.
The Am I the Drama? artist took the stand in a Los Angeles-area courtroom Aug. 27 to testify in a lawsuit brought by a former security guard who has alleged, per court documents obtained by NBC News, that Cardi spit on her and scratched her face in the hallway of a Beverly Hills obstetrician's office in 2018.
Cardi, born Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, has admitted to exchanging words but denied that she spit on or touched the plaintiff, Emani Ellis. There was no specific monetary amount in Ellis' lawsuit, but the rapper said on the stand she's being sued for $24 million.
And since she had to be in court, Cardi opted to make a viral show out of it, sartorially and otherwise, wearing different wigs and stealing the spotlight with her facial expressions even before she'd uttered a word of expletive-laden testimony.
So, sort of the tonal opposite of Gwyneth Paltrow's zeitgeist-gripping ski accident trial in 2023, but compelling all the same.
The case could still end with Cardi wishing the plaintiff well, but... she's not there yet.
After showing up in a dark pixie cut one day and sporting platinum-blond locks on another, her look for the witness stand—white suit, natural-looking blow-out—was far more prim. What came out of her mouth was not.
Asked during cross-examination to tell the court what she said to Ellis during the confrontation in question, Cardi replied matter-of-factly, "I said, 'B-tch, get the f--k outta my face, why you in my face, why you recording me? Ain't you supposed to be security?'"
When Ellis' attorney charged during cross-examination that Cardi could have scratched his client if she had wanted to, the rapper replied, "But I didn't, 'cause I had a baby inside me."
The 32-year-old shares daughters Kulture, 7, and Blossom, 11 months, as well as son Wave, 3, with ex-husband Offset.
At the time of her encounter with Ellis, Cardi testified, she was 4 months pregnant and trying to keep it private. She alleged that the security guard followed her to her doctor's office on the fifth floor and Ellis appeared to be recording with her phone. They argued, Cardi said, and Ellis was "backing me, walking into me."
Asked if she got angry, Cardi said on cross-examination, “Yes, I was angry! Because I’m pregnant! And this girl’s about to beat my ass!"
Suffice it to say, memes have circulated.
Attention was also paid to the long, rhinestone-encrusted acrylics Cardi was sporting during the alleged incident.
“It wasn’t a shape that was harming," she testified, per the AP. "It was coffin-shaped. They weren't sharp."
The receptionist from the doctor's office testified Aug. 27 that she heard arguing out in the hallway but, when she went to investigate, she witnessed no physical fight between the two women.
Asked to characterize what she heard, the witness said she wasn't sure if she could swear. To which Judge Ian C. Fusselman said, "We’ve heard just about everything so far, so it’s OK."
And the trial isn't over yet, which means there could be more drama—let alone more wigs—to come. Read on to see where Cardi's courtroom style stacks up amid her most daring looks of all time:
Très Chic
Oooh la la! Cardi B dazzled at Messika's Spring-Summer 2025 show during Paris Fashion Week.
Turning Heads
More fashionable looks? Oui. The Grammy winner also attended Vivienne Westwood's Paris Fashion Week show.
Unforgettable Met Gala Moment
Cardi made jaws drop with her Windowsen gown at the 2024 Met Gala.
Hollywood Glamour
She also stunned at the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscars after-party in this sexy lace Versace dress.
Captivating Cardi
The "Bodak Yellow" artist went for a black and white floral-adorned gown by Chen Peng Studio at the 2023 Met Gala.
Lady in Red
Cardi ruled the red carpet in a crimson design by Robert Wun at the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscars after-party.
Feather Fantasy
The musician made a showstopping entrance at Schiaparelli's Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture show in 2023.
Shining Bright
Cardi was shining bright at the Fendi Haute Couture fall/winter 2023/2024 show during Paris Fashion Week.
Stunting & Shining
The "I Like It" artist looked like a golden goddess in an Atelier Versace chained gown during the 2022 MET Gala.
In the News
Cardi also looked chic at Balenciaga's Paris Fashion Week show in 2021, where she wore a magazine-pattern trench coat, black hat, matchings gloves and coordinating shoes.
Fierce Fuchsia
The "Please Me" star rocked a glittery fuchsia pink catsuit during the 2022 Wireless Festival.
Sheer Style
Cardi also sparkled in a black jumpsuit at the festival.
Biker Babe
Cardi B rocked a biker-inspired leather outfit with spike detailing during Paris Fashion Week in 2022.
Slayed in Schiaparelli
The "WAP" rapper arrived at the 2021 America Music Awards in a black dress, matching veil and gold mask.
Fierce in Feathers
Cardi sported a sequined ruby gown and feathers at a 2021 Thierry Mugler Couturissime event.
Grammy Ready
Celebrity hairstylist Tokyo Stylez used Joico color, styling and care products on the rapper before her 2021 Grammys performance.
Green Goddess
Cardi B was going green in this Richard Quinn catsuit and matching ruffled headpiece at Paris Fashion Week in 2021.
Jewel in the Crown
Talks about a mic-drop moment. The star rocked the 2019 Grammys red carpet with this over-the-top Thierry Mugler gown from its 1995 archive.
Fierce and Fabulous
Not surprisingly, Cardi, a.k.a., Belcalis Almanzar, dropped jaws during her 2019 Grammys performance. She took the stage in a 1995 archive Thierry Mugler bodysuit, which comes with larger-than-life feathers. Okurr!
Flower Power
She slayed Paris Fashion Week and she knew it. "I heard you b---hes were missing me at Fashion Week New York," she wrote on Instagram in 2019, while showing off her vibrant green floral ensemble. "I'm here to serve it to you mother-f--kers, and serve it to you cold."
Suited Up
Attending the Thom Browne show in Paris Fashion Week in 2019, the "Press" singer put on her finest fashion. As she noted on Instagram, she called her look, "THE TEACHER."
Green With Envy
Cardi knows how to make a state-mint, which is exactly what she did with this Ralph & Russo gown in 2019.
Cowgirl Couture
The "Money" rapper went country glam with this custom Bryan Hearns outfit for 2019 Rodeo Houston.
Perfectly Pink
As you can see, Cardi went all out for Rihanna's 2019 Diamond Ball gala and wore an over-the-top baby pink gown.
Your Highness
The 2018 Met Gala theme brought Catholic motifs and religious-inspired designs to the extravagant event, and Bardi took us to church with her ostentatious Moschino gown and headpiece.
Coachella Fashion
Cardi turned up the heat at Coachella 2018 with this custom, white-hot outfit by Bryan Hearns.
Rocking the Stage
She also channeled Linda Evangelista with this 2018 ensemble that was almost identical to what the supermodel wore in the '90s. She dazzled in a bodysuit by Vex Clothing, custom accessories from Laurel Dewitt and vintage boots from Chanel.
A Purrrrrfectly Bold Look
Cardi turned heads during Milan Fashion Week with her wild (literally) Dolce & Gabbana ensemble in 2018.
Stop the Presses
Never one to shy away from bold prints and patterns, the star wore this Moschino dress during a 2017 dinner.
Money Bag
She also made everyone green with envy in her custom emerald two-piece by Vex Clothing, Dare to Be Vintage robe and Balenciaga boots that year.