Cardi B is facing a new lawsuit stemming from her headline-making mic toss during a Las Vegas concert two years ago.
The rapper, whose real name is Belcalis Almanzar, is being sued for assault, battery, and negligence after an incident that took place in July 2023 at Drai’s Beachclub. During her performance of “Bodak Yellow,” a fan threw a drink at her onstage — and Cardi responded by hurling her microphone into the crowd.
Clips from the concert quickly went viral, showing Cardi dodging the drink before launching the mic in the direction of the thrower. Security quickly stepped in, and Cardi continued her set shortly after.
Now, over a year later, a woman — filing under the name Jane Doe — has taken legal action. According to court documents obtained by Entertainment Weekly, she says she was the person hit by the microphone and is now dealing with ongoing physical and emotional trauma.
The complaint points out that Cardi had, moments earlier, encouraged the crowd to splash her with water, saying, “That s— feels good. Put that s— in my p—y.” Jane Doe claims she joined in with the crowd’s energy and lightly splashed a bit of her drink toward the stage — but was shocked when Cardi allegedly retaliated.
“Plaintiff, acting in accordance with the environment created by Cardi B’s express words and conduct, and in a manner consistent with other attendees, splashed a small portion of her drink in Cardi B’s direction. In apparent anger and without warning, Cardi B suddenly and forcefully threw her microphone directly at plaintiff,” the filing states.
The woman alleges she suffered “physical pain, emotional distress, reputational damage, embarrassment, and harassment from both media and members of the public.” She adds that her distress was worsened when the now-infamous mic was auctioned off for nearly $100,000.
Cardi’s lawyer, Drew Findling, dismissed the lawsuit as a money grab. “The filing of a civil case against Ms. Almanzar regarding the two year old microphone incident is a transparent and pitiful attempted financial shakedown,” he said in a statement to EW. “The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the Clark County District Attorney’s Office closed this matter for insufficient evidence a long time ago, but apparently the opportunity to try to make money off of a celebrity was too much for some willing law firm to pass up.”
Jane Doe, however, is standing her ground. “What has been written off as a joke by many people is actually a traumatic experience that has significantly impacted my well-being and quality of life,” she said. “I am seeking justice in the hopes of holding Cardi B accountable for her misdeeds, as no celebrity is above the law.”
The lawsuit also names Drai’s Beachclub, claiming the venue was negligent for failing to prevent the situation. Jane Doe points out that Cardi allegedly had a previous microphone-throwing incident at the same club involving a DJ, and believes the venue should have anticipated possible repeat behavior.
