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Nicki Minaj Reflects on the Infamous Cardi B Fashion Week Fight: “I Was Mortified”

The 2018 New York Fashion Week, typically a celebration of high fashion and sophistication, became the backdrop for one of the most talked-about celebrity altercations of the decade. The heated clash between rap icons Nicki Minaj and Cardi B at the Harper’s Bazaar ICONS party at The Plaza Hotel remains a defining moment in their tumultuous relationship. Now, years later, Nicki Minaj’s reflections on the incident shed light on her feelings of embarrassment, disbelief, and frustration about the public feud.

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The Night That Shook Fashion Week

On September 7, 2018, as the red carpet for the prestigious Harper’s Bazaar ICONS party wrapped up, tensions between Cardi B and Nicki Minaj came to a head. Cardi allegedly lunged at Minaj, shouting accusations and demanding accountability for perceived slights. A shoe was thrown—one of the most memorable images from the night—and Cardi was eventually escorted out with a visible bump on her forehead, reportedly from a bodyguard’s elbow.

Later, Cardi B took to Instagram to address the incident, claiming that Minaj had allegedly made disparaging remarks about her newborn child. This accusation, according to Nicki Minaj, was baseless and deeply offensive.

Nicki Minaj arrives to Harper's BAZAAR ICONS at The Plaza Hotel on September 7 in New York City.

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Nicki Minaj Breaks Her Silence

Speaking on her Beats 1 Queen Radio show shortly after the incident, Minaj addressed the altercation with unfiltered candor. She began by vehemently denying Cardi’s allegations, stating, “Onika Tanya Maraj has never, will never speak ill on anyone’s child. I am not a clown. That’s clown shit.”

Minaj emphasized how humiliating the ordeal was for her, particularly given the high-profile setting. “It was something so mortifying and so humiliating to go through in front of a bunch of upper-echelon people who have their life together,” Minaj said. “The way they passed by, looking at this disgusting commotion—I was mortified.”

A Night of Contrasts: Fashion and Feuds

Nicki Minaj had arrived at the event in a striking Gaultier gown, fresh off the runway, exuding elegance and poise. However, the drama that unfolded overshadowed the glamour of the night. Reflecting on the incident, Minaj said, “I was in a Gaultier gown off the motherfuckin’ runway, and I could not believe how humiliat[ing] it all felt, [how] we made ourselves look.”

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Outside the venue, Minaj posed for photos, showcasing her designer dress and attempting to regain some composure amid the chaos. Yet, the memory of the altercation lingered, casting a shadow over the evening’s sophistication.

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Cardi B’s Perspective

Cardi B, known for her fiery personality, defended her actions on social media. She claimed that her reaction stemmed from comments she believed were made about her child and her parenting. In her Instagram post following the incident, Cardi wrote, “I let a lot of sht slide. I let you sneak diss me, I let you lie on me . . . But when you mention my child, you choose to like comments about me as a mother, make comments about my abilities to take care of my daughter, that’s when all bets are fckin off!”

Her statement resonated with some fans who viewed her actions as a defense of her family. However, others criticized her for escalating the situation in such a public and prestigious setting.

Nicki Minaj’s Perspective on Public Perception

Minaj expressed frustration over being consistently portrayed as the antagonist in situations involving Cardi. “It’s so crazy to me that people always need to make Onika the bad guy,” she said on Queen Radio. This sentiment reflects a broader theme in Minaj’s career, where she feels unfairly targeted by critics and rivals.

She also accused Cardi of leveraging sympathy and media bias to build her career, stating, “We did hear this woman say that nothing’s off-limits, because she has built her career off of sympathy and payola.”

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Calls for “Intervention”

In her remarks, Minaj suggested that Cardi’s behavior might warrant an intervention, implying that her actions were irrational and detrimental to her career. While Minaj stopped short of elaborating, her comment highlighted the growing rift between the two rappers and the broader implications of their feud on the hip-hop community.

The Aftermath

The altercation between Minaj and Cardi B sparked widespread media coverage and divided their fanbases. Memes, think pieces, and debates about the nature of their rivalry dominated social media for weeks. The incident also raised questions about how women in hip-hop are often pitted against each other in a way that male artists are not.

For Minaj, the night marked a low point in her public image, as she struggled to reconcile her glamorous persona with the chaos that had unfolded. For Cardi, the incident cemented her reputation as a fearless and outspoken artist, unafraid to confront perceived slights head-on.

A Lesson in Grace Under Fire?

Years later, the Harper’s Bazaar ICONS party remains a cautionary tale about the pressures of fame and the challenges of navigating personal conflicts in the public eye. For Nicki Minaj, the incident was a stark reminder of the importance of composure, particularly in high-stakes settings. “I just want everybody to marinate for two minutes,” she said on Queen Radio, emphasizing her decision not to retaliate that night.

Nicki Minaj 'mortified' by Cardi B scuffle - BBC News

A Rivalry That Defined an Era

The feud between Nicki Minaj and Cardi B has become one of the defining rivalries in modern hip-hop. While the Fashion Week fight was undoubtedly a dramatic and regrettable chapter, it also underscored the passion and intensity both artists bring to their craft. As fans continue to revisit the incident, the question remains: can these two powerhouse women ever put their differences aside and collaborate, or will their rivalry remain a permanent part of their legacies?

For now, one thing is certain—Nicki Minaj and Cardi B know how to keep the world talking.

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