In Summary
Cardi B is no stranger to "money moves," and her most recent has netted her more than $4 million in damages for defamation, invasion of privacy and emotional distress.Cardi B is making Tasha K put her money where her mouth is, as a judge has ordered the celebrity blogger to pay the rapper more than $4 million in her libel claim.
According to Variety, Tasha Kebe, better known as Tasha K, is accountable for $1 million in punitive damages and $1,338,753.47 in legal costs, in addition to the $1.25 million previously granted to Cardi B. Kebe Studios LLC, her company, was compelled to pay an extra $500,000.
PREVIOUS: Cardi B Awarded $1.25 Million in Libel Lawsuit Against Blogger Tasha K
The “Press” rapper is now spreading a message of love and anti-bullying, telling People magazine that while social media has aided her career and movements such as Black Lives Matter and women’s rights, it has also been a catalyst behind children and adults committing suicide as a result of cyberbullying and intentional attacks.
“After almost four years of repeated libel and slander against me, being able to walk away from this victorious brings me great happiness,” she said, thanking the judge, jurors and her legal team, as well as her family and close friends.
Cardi shared that she did not want to seek “justice” only for herself, but also for “countless others” who face similar situations daily, without the same resources.
“The only difference between me and the high schooler who is being cyberbullied and lied on by their classmates is the money and resources I have access to,” she said. “We collectively have to say enough is enough. We can no longer be a society that turns a blind eye to blatant lies.”
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Cardi emphasized that unchecked behavior and provably false content on platforms like YouTube must be addressed and eliminated, as well as the ongoing harassment and misinformation presented as facts by journalists and bloggers.
Cardi and Kebe’s dispute began in 2018, when the unWineWithTashaK host began posting videos to her over 1 million followers claiming the rapper had herpes and HPV and performed a stunning sex act with a beer bottle, among other “false narratives.”
Cardi testified during the trial that the full blown “malicious campaign” left her feeling “extremely suicidal” and “helpless,” BNC previously reported.
Billboard reported Kebe originally admitted to deliberately publicizing lies about the artist, but she later tried to retract that statement. Her attempts to countersue Cardi for allegedly inciting harassment from her fans failed due to lack of evidence.
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Sadeer Sabbak, Kebe’s attorney, reportedly said the defense disagrees with the ruling and plans to appeal.