Cardi B Speaks Out Following Multi-Million Dollar Libel Lawsuit Win
Cardi B has issued a statement after winning her libel lawsuit against YouTuber LaTasha Kebe.
A federal jury announced their verdict earlier this week after a two-week trial in Georgia. The Grammy Award-winning rapper was awarded nearly $3 million in punitive damages and attorneys fees, according to Billboard.
Kebe is responsible for $1 million in punitive damages and her company Kebe Studios LLC is ordered to pay an additional $500,000. The YouTuber was also ordered to reimburse Cardi for her legal costs totalling $1,338,753.47. Kebe was also ordered to pay the Hustlers actress another $1.25 million.
This rounds out the full total to more than $4 million that will be awarded to the star.
“After almost four years of repeated libel and slander against me, being able to walk away from this victory brings me great happiness,” Cardi said in a statement shared with PEOPLE. “I appreciate Judge Ray for conducting a fair and impartial trial.”
“I am grateful for the jury and their careful deliberation over the past two weeks. I am profoundly grateful for the hard work and support from my legal team. Most importantly, thank you to my family and close friends who held my hand and helped me get the support I needed during this experience.”
Cardi also shared in her statement that her fans have “learned about the darkest time in my life.”
“I thought I would never be heard or vindicated and I felt completely helpless and vulnerable,” Cardi added. “I have never taken for granted the platform that my fame allows me to have, which is why for over three years I dedicated every resource I had to seek justice.”
BET previously reported that Kebe was deemed liable for defamation, invasion of privacy through portrayal in a false light and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
In 2019, the “Up” rapper filed a lawsuit accusing Kebe of attempting to defame her with salacious YouTube videos including alleging that the artist had contracted herpes.
“I felt extremely suicidal,” Cardi shared when she took the stand in a Georgia court on Jan. 13. She also explained that she had developed fatigue, anxiety, weight loss and migraines from the alleged lies. “Only an evil person could do that s**t.”
Further in her statement responding to the lawsuit verdict, Cardi went on to explain that cyberbullying and false stories posted online have to stop.
“We collectively have to say enough is enough. We can no longer be a society that turns a blind eye to blatant lies. The unchecked behavior and provably false content on platforms like YouTube have to be addressed and removed. The constant harassment and lies that are reported as factual from journalists and bloggers have to end.”
