An attorney’s line of questioning has drawn attention after Cardi B testified in court earlier this week.
The ‘WAP’ artist is facing allegations of assault in a lawsuit brought by Emani Ellis.
Ellis alleges that Cardi B’s nail caused a cut on her face and that the rapper spat on her during a 2018 confrontation.
Ellis did not file her lawsuit against the mother-of-three, accusing her of assault, battery, emotional distress, negligence, and false imprisonment, until 2020.
A civil trial is now underway, and Cardi B, whose real name is Belcalis Almànzar, appeared in court on Tuesday (August 26).
The musician has refuted the assault claims but conceded to calling Ellis a ‘b*tch’ during their verbal dispute.
Cardi explained that she confronted Ellis for recording her while she was visibly pregnant with her first child, at a time when her pregnancy had not been publicly announced. The rapper has three children with her former partner Offset.
Cardi recounted: “I could hear her. She was talking on the phone. She said, ‘Oh my god, Cardi B is here!’ So I kind of speed walk [away], but I feel her behind me.
“I turned around and saw she was recording me… so I said ‘aren’t you supposed to be security?’ to which she said ‘oh my bad’, but she kept following me and I’m getting annoyed, like b****, you’re the security guard of the building.”
When questioned about potentially cutting Ellis’ face with her nails, Cardi was interrogated regarding her beauty routine, including her hair, while on the stand.
On Tuesday, the ‘Bodak Yellow’ rapper sported a blond wig, whereas the previous day she appeared in court with a black pixie cut—a detail that seemed to confuse the lawyer conducting the cross-examination.
He inquired: “Yesterday you had black hair, short hair. Today it’s blonde and long. Which one is your real hair? Or are they both real?”
Cardi, amused, explained that she uses wigs.
Subsequently, she was asked about her hair color on the day of the alleged incident. Cardi stated she didn’t recall but did remember wearing a hoodie.
She was also requested to display her fingernails in court and describe their length.
“Way less than an inch,” replied the Grammy-award-winning artist.
The lawyer proceeded with additional questions regarding Cardi’s nails, such as whether they were natural and how much time it would take to transform her current nails into ones measuring three inches long.
This line of questioning has prompted curiosity about its relevance to the case.
“What ridiculous questions,” one individual remarked. Another added: “I’m trying to understand the relevance of the questions. What’s this case about?”
Another person commented on Instagram: “I am lost. What’s the case? What does her hair and nails gotta do with it?”
Another observer noted: “Do we ask men if they have hair plugs?”