Cardi B’s recent courtroom testimony is making waves—not just among fans, but also within the legal community.
Trial attorney Sara Williams, Esq. (@sarawilliamsesq), took to Instagram to highlight how the rapper’s performance on the witness stand during her ongoing civil case offered valuable lessons for lawyers and clients alike.
The case, stemming from a 2018 incident, involves plaintiff Emani Ellis, a former building security guard who claims Cardi B assaulted her during an encounter in a medical office hallway. Ellis, who has alleged she suffered a facial scratch, is seeking punitive damages and medical costs. Cardi B, who was pregnant then, denied the allegations.
Williams noted that Cardi B exemplified three critical qualities of a strong witness: listening closely to the questions, staying calm under pressure, and using opportunities to showcase her personality.
“She won the room,” Williams explained in her video. “She listened, she stayed poised, and she even found lighthearted moments to connect with the jury. When the jury is laughing with the witness, you’ve lost your jury.”
Williams further critiqued the plaintiff’s lawyer for failing to leverage the procedural advantage of calling Cardi B as a hostile witness. Instead of using organized, pointed leading questions, she observed, he asked a series of unfocused, open-ended ones—giving Cardi the chance to shine.
The rapper’s testimony, livestreamed by Court TV and widely shared on social media, showcased her quick wit and composure.
At times, she responded with humor—whether discussing her hair, nails, or her version of events—earning laughter from jurors in the process.
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For Williams, Cardi B’s approach underscores a broader point about authenticity in trial law. “Cross-examination is the lawyer’s chance to own the jury’s attention,” she said. “But here, that control slipped away—and Cardi took it.”
While the case continues, Cardi B’s ability to remain charismatic and credible under questioning has sparked conversation not only about the outcome of the trial, but also about what lawyers can learn from a witness who knows how to command a room.
