Cardi B Says She "Beat the Odds" Balancing Motherhood With Her Career

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There's nothing in the world that Cardi B likes more than her kids.

That's why the "I Like It" rapper has worked so hard to support her four children—Kulture, 8, Wave, 4, Blossom, 23 months, with estranged husband Offset and her 9-month-old boy with Stefon Diggs —throughout her career as a hit-making musician, despite the stigma that can come with being a working mother.

"I feel like I, I'm not going to say like set an example," Cardi told Vogue in a video interview posted Aug. 27. "But it's like I showed a lot of women that it's like you could still work hard and you could still be able to beat the odds with having a baby, and the media, and the criticizing, and work hard and get your job done."

Indeed, the Grammy winner has navigated personal milestones in the public eye, such as welcoming her children, while also managing to forge a historic career including being the first female artist to win a Grammy for Best Rap Album in 2019.

"It's seven years later, four kids later," Cardi remarked. "I'm still here, yeah."

And while the fashion maven has balanced success and motherhood, that doesn't mean she hasn't faced challenges along the way, including a rocky breakup from Offset in 2024 following seven years of marriage.

"I try my best to have my kids around me as much as possible, but sometimes I can’t be with them," Cardi explained for her tandem Vogue Arabia feature, "Mothers have to make sacrifices."

As such, the "Bodak Yellow" artist noted her path as a touring musician was no different than other demanding careers that women take on to provide for their family.

"It’s sad, but we need to look at the bigger picture," she said. "I hope that my kids look at what I do and understand, 'Mom was working her ass off.' She wasn’t clubbing, she wasn’t dating, she wasn’t partying…Instead, she was making sacrifices for a better living, you know what I’m saying?"

Photo by Pierre Suu/Getty Images

And while Cardi cherishes her role raising her little ones, she's also never let traditional expectations hinder her fashion sense.

"F--k that, they haven't changed me for s--t!" Cardi joked during an exclusive interview with E! News about how her brood has influenced her style, though she conceded, "I'm not gonna go to my daughter's school with a see-through shirt or with a shirt [where] my nipples are rock hard."

Read on to revisit Cardi's statement pieces from over the years.

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Très Chic

Oooh la la! Cardi B dazzled at Messika's Spring-Summer 2025 show during Paris Fashion Week.

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Turning Heads

More fashionable looks? Oui. The Grammy winner also attended Vivienne Westwood's Paris Fashion Week show.

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Unforgettable Met Gala Moment

Cardi made jaws drop with her Windowsen gown at the 2024 Met Gala.

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Hollywood Glamour

She also stunned at the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscars after-party in this sexy lace Versace dress.

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Captivating Cardi

The "Bodak Yellow" artist went for a black and white floral-adorned gown by Chen Peng Studio at the 2023 Met Gala.

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Lady in Red

Cardi ruled the red carpet in a crimson design by Robert Wun at the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscars after-party.

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Feather Fantasy

The musician made a showstopping entrance at Schiaparelli's Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture show in 2023.

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Shining Bright

Cardi was shining bright at the Fendi Haute Couture fall/winter 2023/2024 show during Paris Fashion Week.

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Stunting & Shining

The "I Like It" artist looked like a golden goddess in an Atelier Versace chained gown during the 2022 MET Gala.

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In the News

Cardi also looked chic at Balenciaga's Paris Fashion Week show in 2021, where she wore a magazine-pattern trench coat, black hat, matchings gloves and coordinating shoes.

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Fierce Fuchsia

The "Please Me" star rocked a glittery fuchsia pink catsuit during the 2022 Wireless Festival.

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Sheer Style

Cardi also sparkled in a black jumpsuit at the festival.

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Biker Babe

Cardi B rocked a biker-inspired leather outfit with spike detailing during Paris Fashion Week in 2022.

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Slayed in Schiaparelli

The "WAP" rapper arrived at the 2021 America Music Awards in a black dress, matching veil and gold mask.

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Fierce in Feathers

Cardi sported a sequined ruby gown and feathers at a 2021 Thierry Mugler Couturissime event.

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Grammy Ready

Celebrity hairstylist Tokyo Stylez used Joico color, styling and care products on the rapper before her 2021 Grammys performance.

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Green Goddess

Cardi B was going green in this Richard Quinn catsuit and matching ruffled headpiece at Paris Fashion Week in 2021.

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Jewel in the Crown

Talks about a mic-drop moment. The star rocked the 2019 Grammys red carpet with this over-the-top Thierry Mugler gown from its 1995 archive.

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Fierce and Fabulous

Not surprisingly, Cardi, a.k.a., Belcalis Almanzar, dropped jaws during her 2019 Grammys performance. She took the stage in a 1995 archive Thierry Mugler bodysuit, which comes with larger-than-life feathers. Okurr!

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Flower Power

She slayed Paris Fashion Week and she knew it. "I heard you b---hes were missing me at Fashion Week New York," she wrote on Instagram in 2019, while showing off her vibrant green floral ensemble. "I'm here to serve it to you mother-f--kers, and serve it to you cold."

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Suited Up

Attending the Thom Browne show in Paris Fashion Week in 2019, the "Press" singer put on her finest fashion. As she noted on Instagram, she called her look, "THE TEACHER."

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Green With Envy

Cardi knows how to make a state-mint, which is exactly what she did with this Ralph & Russo gown in 2019.

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Cowgirl Couture

The "Money" rapper went country glam with this custom Bryan Hearns outfit for 2019 Rodeo Houston.

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Perfectly Pink

As you can see, Cardi went all out for Rihanna's 2019 Diamond Ball gala and wore an over-the-top baby pink gown.

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Your Highness

The 2018 Met Gala theme brought Catholic motifs and religious-inspired designs to the extravagant event, and Bardi took us to church with her ostentatious Moschino gown and headpiece.

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Coachella Fashion

Cardi turned up the heat at Coachella 2018 with this custom, white-hot outfit by Bryan Hearns.

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Rocking the Stage

She also channeled Linda Evangelista with this 2018 ensemble that was almost identical to what the supermodel wore in the '90s. She dazzled in a bodysuit by Vex Clothing, custom accessories from Laurel Dewitt and vintage boots from Chanel.

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A Purrrrrfectly Bold Look

Cardi turned heads during Milan Fashion Week with her wild (literally) Dolce & Gabbana ensemble in 2018.

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