So it’s only natural that Cardi B has one of the biggest entourages at The Grammys.
The 26-year-old rapper was accompanied by on/off husband Offset and four other handlers on the red carpet of the 2019 Grammy Awards on Sunday, held at the Los Angeles Staples Center.
Later in the night the rapper became the first solo woman to take home the Best Rap Album award.
Shining star: Cardi B was accompanied by on/off fiance Offset and four other handlers on the red carpet of the 2019 Grammy Awards on Sunday
The rapper – whose real name is Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar- looked absolutely stunning in the eccentric oyster and pearls vintage outfit by French designer Thierry Mugler from 1995.
The mother-of-one stunned in a bustier bodysuit, ruffled fanned-out black skirt with pink satin lining.
Pink and black smokey eye makeup courtesy of A-list beauty guru Erika La Pearl dovetailed perfectly with the outfit’s color palette.
The makeup pro used products by Pat McGrath Labs – including the Mothership V: Bronze Seduction Eye Palette and the Mothership III: Subversive Eye Palette, as well as the newly-launched FetishEyes Mascara – to create Cardi’s chic look for the evening.
Cardi completed the look with layered pearl necklaces and matching beehive headpiece, which was coiled around her topknot by celebrity hairstylist Tokyo Stylez, who said: ‘The inspiration behind Cardi B’s red-carpet look is a 90’s influenced pearl updo to play up her ensemble.’
Tokyo used a wig to create the look, explaining that he prepped the hair piece with the Suave Professionals Coconut Oil Infused Damage Repair Shampoo, which he used to wash the wig several times in order to make sure that there was no dye left running out of the locks.
He used the same shampoo on Cardi’s natural hair before transforming her ‘do for the evening.
Going for it: The 26-year-old rapper looked absolutely stunning in the eccentric oyster and pearls vintage outfit by French designer Thierry Mugler from 1995
I like it: The mother-of-one stunned in a bustier bodysuit, ruffled fanned-out black skirt with pink satin lining. Seen here with husband Offset
Who wore it best? Cardi B [L] in Sunday night’s Thierry Mugler dress and [R] Simonetta Giarfelici in the 1995 original
He then ‘sat the wig in the Suave Coconut Oil Infused Damage Repair Conditioner for about 45 minutes before rinsing it so it gives it this very silky feel to the touch and leaves a beautiful coconut scent that my clients absolutely love’.
After allowing the wig to air dry for 45 minutes, Tokyo then dried it with the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer Professional Edition, revealing that he used the dryer’s diffuser attachment because it ‘gives the hair a light bounce and it simulates a natural dry’.
The Suave Professionals Sleek Anti-Frizz Smooth & Shine Cream and Natural Hair Define & Shine Serum Gel ensured a frizz-free look without flyaways, while the brand’s Firm Control Finishing Hairspray helped to lock the style in place before the string of pearls was wound around the updo.
Joining the Bodak Yellow hitmaker on the red carpet was her estranged husband, Offset.
The Migos star and Cardi put on an unfiltered display of affection, with both parents of six-month-old baby girl Kulture poking out their tongues and touching the tips together.
In a recent Harper’s Bazaar interview, the Bronx-born beauty spoke of her resistance to healing her broken marriage following cheating allegations against Offset.
‘I decided on my own,’ she said of leaving her husband. ‘Nobody makes my decisions about my life but me. I didn’t want to go to marriage counseling. He suggested it, but it’s like, ‘I don’t want to go.’ There’s no counselor or nothing that could make me change my mind.’
However, the red carpet display and the fact the pair were seen together during the Big Game Weekend Party in Atlanta, Georgia last weekend suggests a reconciliation may be on the cards.
It must be love: Cardi B performs an interesting display of affection with her estranged husband
Tongues out Tuesday: Following marital woes, the rapper recently told ET she was ‘working it out’ with her Migos star partner
Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Travis Scott, Diana Ross, and Cardi B are among a crowded field of performers scheduled for Sunday night’s Alicia Keys-hosted Grammy Awards.
Gaga will perform with Mark Ronson, with whom she collaborated on the song Shallow, while her A Star Is Born co-star Bradley Cooper represents the BAFTA Awards which also take place that same night.
Gaga tied for the third-highest number of nominations this year with five, for record of the year, song of the year, best pop duo or performance, and best song written for visual media for Shallow; and best pop performance for Joanne (Where Do You Think You’re Goin’?).
She’s previously won six Grammy awards, including two in 2010, three in 2011, and one in 2015 for her collaboration album with Tony Bennett.
A little help from my friends: Cardi B is assisted by her entourage as she makes her way across the red carpet at the Los Angeles Staples Center
Big night: Cardi is up for three awards on Sunday including Album of the Year
Other performers include Beyonce’s proteges Chloe x Halle, fresh from their performance of America The Beautiful at the Super Bowl, Dua Lipa, St. Vincent, Andra Day, Camila Cabello, Dan + Shay, Post Malone with the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Shawn Mendes, J Balvin, Arturo Sandoval, Young Thug, Janelle Monáe, Kacey Musgraves, H.E.R., Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, Little Big Town, Ricky Martin, Fantasia and gospel great Yolanda Adams.
Dua Lipa will be making her Grammy stage debut on the show, where she’ll be joined by St. Vincent for a special performance, while Adams will sing alongside Fantasia and Day in a tribute to late Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin.
However one star who will not be on stage – either performing or accepting an award, is Ariana Grande.
This is despite Ariana featuring prominently on billboards promoting the event throughout Los Angeles, and being nominated for both Best Pop Vocal Performance (for God Is a Woman) and Best Pop Vocal Album (for 2018’s Sweetener).
Turn, turn, turn: The rapper shows off her limited movement in the elaborate gown
The move comes due to a disagreement with Grammy producers over which songs she would perform, according to sources close to the situation.
An insider tells Variety that Grande felt ‘insulted’ after producers initially refused to allow her to perform 7 Rings,’ the latest single from her forthcoming album Thank U, Next.
A compromise was reached whereby 7 Rings would be part of a medley, but Grande pulled out after producers insisted that the second song be of their choosing.
The source added that such stipulations were not imposed on other performers at the show.
The 61st annual Grammy Awards are produced by AEG Ehrlich Ventures for the Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich is executive producer, Ben Winston is executive producer, Louis J. Horvitz is director, Chantel Sausedo is the producer, and David Wild and Ehrlich are the writers.
Breaking ground: Later in the night the rapper became the first solo woman to take home the Best Rap Album award
Excited: Never one to keep her emotions hidden, the ex stripper took to social media to express her excitement over the win
