In the heart of New York City’s iconic Central Park, under a canopy of autumn leaves and a sky streaked with the golden hues of dusk, Cardi B delivered a performance that was nothing short of a seismic event. On September 27, 2025, the rapper, whose real name is Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, took the stage at the Global Citizen Festival, flaunting her burgeoning baby bump with the same unapologetic ferocity that has defined her career. At seven months pregnant with her fourth child—her first with NFL wide receiver Stefon Diggs—Cardi didn’t just perform; she commanded, twerked, and triumphed, turning a night dedicated to global activism into a personal manifesto of resilience, motherhood, and raw artistic power. As crowds of over 60,000 roared in approval, her set became a viral sensation, sparking conversations about body positivity, the demands of stardom, and the unbreakable spirit of women who refuse to dim their light, even as life blooms within them.

The Global Citizen Festival, now in its 13th year, has long been more than a concert—it’s a clarion call against extreme poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation. Held annually on the Great Lawn, the event draws A-listers, policymakers, and everyday advocates to rally for tangible change. This year’s edition, co-hosted by the charismatic Hugh Jackman alongside ambassadors like Adam Lambert, Bill Nye, Liza Koshy, and Danai Gurira, zeroed in on two urgent campaigns: providing clean energy access to one million people across Africa and securing quality education and soccer opportunities for 30,000 children worldwide, in partnership with FIFA. An additional $200 million pledge aimed to safeguard 30 million hectares of the Amazon rainforest from deforestation. With performances streaming live on platforms like YouTube, Apple Music, Twitch, and iHeartRadio, the festival reached millions globally, blending pulsating music with impassioned speeches that underscored the power of collective action.

Cardi’s addition to the lineup was a last-minute coup, announced just days before the event. She stepped in as co-headliner after The Weeknd withdrew for personal reasons, a move that injected fresh drama into an already star-studded bill. “Central Park, I’m coming for you!!! I can’t wait to be home in New York, and to bring my new songs and all the DRAMA to the Global Citizen Festival,” she teased in a statement upon her confirmation. “This one’s not like other music festivals—this one is about coming together to help children around the world, and I’m so proud to support such an important cause.” True to her word, Cardi’s set was a high-octane fusion of her catalog old and new, laced with the vulnerability and victory of her current chapter.

Emerging from a haze of fog and flashing lights, Cardi strutted onto the stage in a custom mahogany-hued bodysuit that hugged her curves and proudly accentuated her baby bump—a deliberate choice by stylist Miaisha Lee, who has long championed Cardi’s bold aesthetic. Paired with baggy cargo pants that allowed for fluid movement, chunky gold chains, and a fiery red wig cascading in waves, the ensemble was peak Cardi: sexy, street-smart, and subversive. “I look good,” she declared to the crowd with a sly grin, her voice booming through the speakers as she launched into the live debut of “ErrTime,” a gritty track from her freshly released sophomore album, Am I the Drama?. The song, a pulsating anthem of defiance and desire, had fans on their feet from the first beat, with Cardi grooving across the stage, her hands occasionally cradling her belly in a gesture that felt both protective and celebratory.

As the set progressed, Cardi’s energy only intensified. She tossed her oversized jacket into the audience mid-performance—”I’m hot AF up here… you want it?”—revealing the full glory of her outfit and earning cheers that echoed through the park. Transitioning to her breakout hit “Bodak Yellow,” she prowled a side-stage catwalk, bringing her closer to the front rows where fans screamed lyrics back at her in unison. The track, which catapulted her to superstardom in 2017, felt timeless in this context—a reminder of the Bronx hustler’s roots and her unyielding climb. But it was her closer, the reggaeton-infused banger “I Like It,” that sent the crowd into absolute frenzy. Cardi dropped into deep squats and signature twerks, her baby bump leading the charge like a badge of honor. At 32, she moved with the agility of her twenties, proving doubters wrong and inspiring a wave of social media tributes to her strength.

This wasn’t just a show; it was a statement. Just ten days prior, on September 17, Cardi had gone public with her pregnancy during a raw, tearful interview on CBS Mornings. “I’m expecting, and it’s with Stefon,” she revealed, her voice steady despite the media storm brewing around her. The announcement came amid a whirlwind year: her divorce from rapper Offset finalized in early 2025 after years of on-again, off-again turmoil marked by infidelity scandals and custody battles over their two children, Kulture (7) and Wave (4). Cardi and Offset, married since 2017, had filed for divorce multiple times, most notably in 2020, but reconciled briefly before calling it quits for good. Now, with Diggs—a dynamic Houston Texans receiver known for his highlight-reel catches and off-field charm—Cardi is embracing a new era of love and family expansion.

Their romance ignited quietly in the spring, fueled by mutual friends in the music and sports worlds. Diggs, 31, had parted ways with his long-term girlfriend in late 2024, and whispers of Cardi sightings at Texans games surfaced by May. By July, the couple was inseparable, sharing steamy vacation snaps from the Bahamas and attending high-profile events like the ESPYs together. Fans dubbed them “football’s power couple,” especially after Diggs dedicated a game-winning touchdown to Cardi in August. Yet, the pregnancy news wasn’t without controversy. A December 2024 paternity suit from Instagram model Aileen Lopera, who claims Diggs fathered her April-born child, has cast a shadow, with Diggs seeking joint custody pending DNA results. Cardi has remained stoic, focusing on her health and happiness. “This baby is a blessing, no matter what the tabloids say,” she posted on Instagram post-announcement, surrounded by ultrasound images and family photos.

Backstage at the festival, Cardi’s brood added a tender layer to the evening. Kulture, ever the mini-diva in a sparkly dress, and Wave, clutching a stuffed eagle (a nod to Diggs’ early career with the Eagles? Or perhaps a subtle Eagles corset reference from her recent WAG fashion moment), flanked their mom as she wrapped her set. A viral clip captured Cardi scooping up a fan’s baby during a meet-and-greet, cradling it gently while cooing, “Auntie Cardi got you.” The moment, shared widely on TikTok, amassed over 10 million views, with users gushing over her effortless transition from stage slayer to nurturing icon. “She’s the blueprint for pregnant power,” one commenter wrote, echoing a sentiment that rippled across platforms.

Cardi’s appearance at Global Citizen wasn’t her first dance with activism. The festival aligns seamlessly with her history of using her platform for good. In 2018, she headlined a benefit concert for immigrant families separated at the border, raising over $1 million. She’s been vocal on issues like criminal justice reform, partnering with organizations like the #Cut50 initiative, and donated $100,000 to bail out protesters during the 2020 Black Lives Matter uprisings. Motherhood has only amplified her advocacy; after Kulture’s birth, she launched a scholarship fund for Bronx students, and Wave’s arrival inspired her push for better maternal healthcare access. “I want my kids to grow up in a world where they can thrive, not just survive,” she told Vogue in a 2024 profile. Performing while pregnant, she noted in a pre-show interview, is her way of modeling that ethos: “I’m showing my daughter that you don’t stop for anybody—not even a little one kicking inside you.”

The festival’s broader lineup amplified this message of global unity through diversity. Shakira, the Colombian superstar, delivered a sultry, sweat-drenched set in a sheer bodysuit, flanked by muscled dancers as she channeled “Hips Don’t Lie” with her trademark curls bouncing wildly. At 48, the singer—fresh off her own headline-grabbing split from Gerard Piqué—brought a fiery Latin flair that had the crowd swaying en masse. South African Amapiano sensation Tyla followed with a soulful medley, her ethereal vocals cutting through the night air, while Nigerian Afrobeats queen Ayra Starr and R&B newcomer Mariah the Scientist added layers of youthful exuberance. ROSÉ of BLACKPINK made a surprise appearance, debuting a solo track that blended K-pop polish with raw emotion, and Colombian singer Camilo joined Palestinian artist Elyanna for a bilingual duet on peace and perseverance. Rema’s Afro-fusion beats provided high-energy transitions, ensuring the evening’s momentum never waned.

These performances weren’t mere entertainment; they were woven into the festival’s action-oriented fabric. Between sets, Jackman rallied attendees to scan QR codes via the Global Citizen app, unlocking commitments from corporations like P&G and Delta Air Lines for renewable energy projects. Philanthropists pledged millions, and FIFA’s involvement promised soccer clinics in underserved communities, turning applause into real-world impact. Cardi, ever the provocateur, paused mid-set to address the crowd: “Y’all came out here for music, but let’s leave with purpose. Sign up, donate, fight—for the kids, for the planet, for us.” Her words landed like a mic drop, inspiring a surge of app downloads that organizers hailed as a record-breaker.

As the night drew to a close, with fireworks illuminating the Manhattan skyline, Cardi’s performance lingered like an afterglow. Social media exploded with clips of her twerking triumphantly, captioned with hashtags like #PregnantAndPowerful and #CardiSlaysCentralPark. Critics who had questioned her tour plans—set to kick off the “Little Miss Drama” trek in February 2026—were swiftly silenced. “If she can squat like that at seven months, rehearsals are gonna be lit,” tweeted one fan, while another quipped, “Offset who? Stefon’s got a queen who’s building an empire.” The debate over the baby’s paternity, fueled by Lopera’s suit, simmered in the background, but Cardi’s focus remained laser-sharp: on her craft, her family, and her future.

This Global Citizen moment encapsulates Cardi B’s enduring appeal—a Bronx girl turned global force, navigating tabloid tempests with humor and hustle. From dropping Invasion of Privacy while pregnant with Kulture in 2018 to now teasing tracks from Am I the Drama? with Wave’s little sibling en route, she’s redefined what it means to be a working mom in hip-hop. Her album, released earlier in September, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, with singles like “ErrTime” and “Drama Queen” dominating charts and playlists. Collaborations with rising stars like Tyla and veterans like Shakira hint at cross-genre bridges she’s building, ensuring her influence spans borders and beats.

In a year that’s seen her reclaim her narrative post-divorce, embrace love with Diggs, and expand her brood, Cardi’s Central Park conquest feels like a coronation. She’s not just flaunting a baby bump; she’s broadcasting a blueprint for bold living. As she waddles—gracefully, fiercely—toward motherhood’s next chapter, one thing is clear: Cardi B isn’t slowing down. She’s accelerating, bump and all, into a legacy that’s as vibrant and unstoppable as the city that birthed her.