In the fast-paced world of celebrity culture, where social media amplifies every word and action, Cardi B, the Grammy-winning rapper known for her unfiltered persona, has found herself at the center of a heated controversy. On August 5, 2025, Cardi B sparked outrage during a livestream when she made comments perceived as “anti-fat” while discussing the rapid sell-out of her 3X-sized merchandise for her upcoming album, Am I the Drama?. The remarks, which included calling her fans “fat as fuck” and joking about their size, led to a public feud with TikTok influencer and body positivity advocate Samyra Miller, who called out Cardi for perpetuating harmful stereotypes. The backlash has been swift and unforgiving, with fans and critics alike expressing disappointment in Cardi’s response, leaving many to question whether her signature candor has crossed a line into insensitivity.

Cardi B, born Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, has built a career on authenticity and relatability. Rising from the Bronx to global stardom with hits like “Bodak Yellow” and “WAP,” the 32-year-old rapper has never shied away from speaking her mind, often endearing herself to fans with her raw humor and unapologetic attitude. Her journey from a stripper to a cultural icon, coupled with her role as a mother to three children—Kulture, 7, Wave, 4, and newborn Blossom—has made her a figure of admiration for many. However, her recent comments during a livestream have ignited a firestorm, highlighting the complexities of celebrity influence in the age of body positivity and social accountability.

The controversy began when Cardi, discussing the success of her Am I the Drama? box sets, which included T-shirts and signed CDs, noted that the 3X sizes sold out in just 20 minutes. “The box sets are completely sold out, especially because you fat fucks,” she said, laughing. “You guys are fat as fuck! No Chick-fil-A for y’all. All the 3X sold out!” Anticipating pushback, she quickly added, “I can’t even make fun of fat people no more,” before defending herself by pointing to the body-shaming she endures about her own Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL). “Don’t call me fat-phobic, y’all, because everybody make fun of my BBL. So I can body-shame people ‘cause y’all body-shame me,” she argued. The clip, reposted on Reddit, went viral, amassing thousands of views and comments condemning her remarks as insensitive and harmful.

The backlash was immediate. Fans expressed shock and hurt, particularly those who supported her merchandise launch. “Fat shaming people that are supporting you is crazy work,” one Reddit user wrote. Another commented, “My younger sister wears 2X/3X, and I would hate for her to see this from an artist she likes.” Others called it a “terrible business decision” to alienate loyal fans, with one noting, “Jokes aside, everyone wears their T-shirts oversized now,” suggesting the sell-out wasn’t solely about size. The sentiment was clear: Cardi’s attempt at humor had missed the mark, offending a community that had championed her success.

Enter Samyra Miller, a plus-size model, Harvard alumna, and TikTok influencer with over 2 million followers, known for her advocacy against fatphobia. In a response video, Samyra addressed Cardi directly, condemning her comments while acknowledging the unfair body-shaming Cardi faces. “Just because someone else makes a joke doesn’t mean you have to make it, too,” Samyra said. “No, they shouldn’t be making fun of your BBL. But also no, you shouldn’t be making fun of fat people.” Her measured critique highlighted the broader issue of anti-fat bias, emphasizing that perpetuating harmful stereotypes, even as a jest, undermines the fight for body inclusivity. Samyra’s video resonated widely, earning praise for its clarity and call for accountability.

Cardi’s response to Samyra escalated the feud. In a fiery TikTok video, Cardi dismissed the criticism, telling Samyra to “shut the fuck up” and insisting her comments were “not that serious.” “On Twitter, it was like a joke between me and my fans,” she said. “Damn, you fat motherfuckas, why y’all bought all the 3X that fast? It’s never that serious. Don’t cry about it.” Offering a cupcake to the camera, she added, “I’m not gonna apologize, though, because y’all fucking sensitive and wanna cry about some dumb shit.” Her refusal to back down drew further ire, with fans and commentators cringing at her dismissive tone. “This ain’t it,” one Reddit user wrote. “Usually when she’s unhinged, it’s funny, but this is just rude.”

Samyra, facing harassment from Cardi’s fans, announced a temporary break from TikTok and Instagram, citing the emotional toll of the online vitriol. “I’m stepping back because this has gotten out of hand,” she wrote in a post, vowing to continue her advocacy once the situation calmed. Her decision underscored the real-world impact of online feuds, particularly when they involve sensitive issues like body image. Meanwhile, Cardi’s team has remained silent, leaving her livestream and subsequent video as the primary responses to the controversy.

The feud has sparked a broader conversation about fatphobia in pop culture, echoing themes from recent discussions about body positivity’s evolution. Samyra, who spoke at Harvard’s “Celebrating Bigger Bodies and Deconstructing Anti-Fat Bias” event in October 2024, has long criticized brands that claim size inclusivity without offering adequate plus-size options. Her work aligns with activists like Tess Royale Clancy, who advocate for “fat joy” and reject the stigma associated with larger bodies. The body positivity movement, rooted in 1960s fat liberation activism, aimed to challenge systemic biases, but critics argue it has been co-opted by brands and influencers who prioritize thin, white, cisgender narratives. Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty, for example, faced scrutiny in 2019 for featuring mostly straight-size models despite its inclusive branding, a point Samyra has highlighted in her content.

Cardi’s comments tap into a larger cultural issue: the normalization of anti-fat rhetoric. A 2021 La Trobe University survey found that 38% of Australians view “obese bodies” as “disgusting,” while a 2024 ABC investigation revealed the health impacts of weight stigma, including increased cortisol levels and high blood pressure. Celebrities, with their massive platforms, play a significant role in shaping these attitudes. As McGill University research from 2019 showed, celebrity fat-shaming can spike implicit anti-fat bias among women, reinforcing harmful stereotypes. Cardi’s justification—that her own body-shaming justifies her remarks—has been criticized as a false equivalence, with Samyra and others noting that fatphobia carries unique systemic consequences, like job discrimination and inadequate healthcare.

Fans have expressed mixed feelings. Some defend Cardi’s humor, arguing it’s part of her unfiltered charm. “She’s always been like this; it’s just her joking with her fans,” one supporter tweeted. Others, however, see her comments as a betrayal, especially given her own experiences with body scrutiny. “Cardi’s been through so much hate for her body, so why would she turn around and do this?” one fan wrote on X. The controversy has also drawn comparisons to other celebrities, like Lizzo, who faced backlash for discussing her weight loss, highlighting the delicate balance public figures navigate in addressing body image.

Cardi’s refusal to apologize has fueled the narrative that she’s out of touch. Her offer of a cupcake as a mock gesture of appeasement was seen as flippant, with one Reddit user commenting, “Money cannot buy class.” The feud has also raised questions about accountability in the digital age, where celebrities can directly engage with critics but risk escalating conflicts. Samyra’s advocacy, rooted in dismantling structural biases like limited clothing sizes or uncomfortable seating, contrasts with Cardi’s defensive stance, positioning the influencer as a voice for systemic change.

As the dust settles, the feud underscores the power and responsibility of celebrity influence. Cardi’s comments, intended as a joke, have highlighted the sensitivity of body image discussions, particularly when they alienate fans who supported her brand. Samyra’s response, grounded in education and empathy, has amplified the call for fat liberation over superficial body positivity. While Cardi continues to promote Am I the Drama?, set for release in 2026, this controversy may linger, challenging her to reflect on the impact of her words. For now, the public is firmly on Samyra’s side, celebrating her courage in confronting a superstar and advocating for a world where all bodies are respected.