Cardi B has been cleared of assault and battery allegations made against her by a former security guard.

In 2020, Emani Ellis filed a civil lawsuit against the I Like It rapper stemming from an alleged incident that took place in February 2018. She sued Cardi for $24 million (£18 million).

During the civil trial heard in Alhambra, California over the past week, Ellis testified that Cardi - real name Belcalis Almánzar - cut her cheek with her long nails, spat on her, and left her traumatised amid the interaction outside of a Beverly Hills doctor's office.

But when the Bodak Yellow hitmaker took to the stand, she insisted that she never touched Ellis during their "verbal altercation".

In a verdict delivered on Tuesday, the jury declared Cardi not liable over the allegations and decided that Ellis failed to prove any of her claims.

The hip-hop star will not have to pay damages.

Speaking to reporters outside of the courthouse, Cardi insisted that she wants to "put this all behind her" but will be much tougher on anyone who attempts to take her on again.

"I did not touch that woman. With that being said, this time around, I'm gonna be nice. The next time someone tries to do a frivolous lawsuit against me, I'm going to countersue. I'm going to make you pay, because this is not OK," the 32-year-old commented. "I think people have this misinterpretation of celebrities, that like, 'Oh well, we can ask for this and they're going to settle.' You don't work at home, and you don't work all day, and you don't work for your money to give out your money. So don't ever think I'm just gonna give you my money that I work hard for. I don't lay in bed all day. I work all day, and I work hard for my money for my kids and for people I take care of."

Lawyers for Ellis have not yet commented on the verdict.