Cardi B has addressed rumors that she intentionally shaded Nicki Minaj’s husband, Kenneth Petty, in her recent maternity photoshoot. The rapper took to social media to clarify that there was no hidden message in the images that featured the word “pedophile.”
The controversy began when eagle-eyed fans noticed the word “pedophile subtly incorporated into one of Cardi’s photos, sparking speculation that it was a jab at Petty, a registered sexual offender.
In 1994, Kenneth Petty was charged with first-degree rape after a 16-year-old girl claimed he sexually assaulted her at knifepoint. Despite initially denying the accusations, Petty eventually pleaded guilty to attempted rape, serving more than four years in prison and being required to register as a sex offender.
On Sunday, September 1, Cardi B posted pictures from her maternity photoshoot on Instagram. The maternity shoot, which featured Cardi in various lavish and artistic poses, quickly caught the attention of social media users.
In the snaps, Cardi B bared her baby bump in an open blue-and-black leather trench coat, a gray leather push-up bra, and thigh-high leather boots while sitting on a motorcycle.
Several fans noticed the word “pedophile” was written in white graffiti over the word “homesick” behind the soon-to-be mom of three, with many drawing connections to Petty’s criminal past. Given the history of tension between Cardi B and Nicki Minaj, fans quickly assumed the worst.
Cardi B, on the other hand, responded quickly to the accusations. Taking to social media, the “WAP” rapper clarified that no hidden message or shade was intended in the shoot.
“First of all, we literally picked a random street because paparazzi were hounding us everywhere.. this was supposed to be my original first picture, and we had to edit the photos in minutes because the shoot got leaked,” she wrote on X Monday.
“Didn’t even have time to go over every detail because people were busy trying to expose my pregnancy as ‘aha’ moment…Second, I’m ALWAYS with the s–ts, but I’m not using MY MATERNITY shoot to be funny. Are you dumb??”
Unfortunately, the internet is still divided, with some supporting Cardi’s explanation and others skeptical. The controversy has reignited speculation about the two rap queens’ long-standing rivalry, as many wonder if this latest incident will escalate tensions.