There’s no doubt about it, Cardi B had quite the glow-up! The music artist, who is nominated for Best Rap Performance at the 2025 Grammy Awards, was first introduced to fans in 2015 after joining the cast of VH1’s Love & Hip Hop: New York.
Following her reality debut, Cardi took her rap career to a new level and has since become a household name. The star opened up about how her life changed during a December 2018 interview with CR Fashion Book. “One positive thing is that my family, whatever they want, they get,” she said. “I don’t have to worry so much about my future.”
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Aside from her career, the hitmaker is also a mom to three kids with estranged husband Offset (real name: Kiari Kendrell Cephus). The on-and-off couple are parents to daughter Kulture, son Wave and another daughter whose name has not been shared.
{“@context”:”https:\/\/schema.org”,”@type”:”ImageGallery”,”description”:””,”image”:[{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2019-09-25T16:52:45-04:00″,”caption”:”Before Cardi appeared on Love & Hip Hop, she became a stripper at 19. \u201cA lot of women here, they taught me to be powerful,\u201d she said in an interview with CBS\u00a0in December 2018. \u201cI did gain, like, a passion and love [for] performing. It made me feel pretty.\u201d”,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/CARDI-B-Transformation-01.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2019-09-25T16:52:45-04:00″,”caption”:”When it comes to her past, the songstress has no regrets. \u201cI\u2019m glad for this chapter in my life,\u201d she said about being an exotic dancer during the CBS interview. \u201cA lot of people always want to make fun of me, \u2018Oh, you used to be a stripper!\u2019 I don\u2019t regret it because I learned a lot. I feel like it matured me.\u201d”,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/CARDI-B-Transformation-02.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2019-09-25T16:52:45-04:00″,”caption”:”After Cardi became a VH1 fan-favorite, she gained a lot of traction. \u201cThe first time around I was a bit skeptical when approached to be on the show because I was working on my music,\u201d she told The Post in 2016. \u201cI did not really want to open up about my entire life on TV, but it was a big opportunity. I am very surprised about the feedback I was getting. I was just being myself.\u201d”,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/CARDI-B-Transformation-03.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2019-09-25T16:52:45-04:00″,”caption”:”\u201cI was skeptical about recording and putting my mixtape out because what if people did not like it?\u201d she explained at the time. \u201cI had low expectations, so I was just going to be happy with making money off of YouTube videos. But a lot of people downloaded my music, and I ended up doing a tour that was really successful. It is crazy that people are interested in me. I am just a girl from the Bronx.\u201d”,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/CARDI-B-Transformation-04.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2019-09-25T16:52:46-04:00″,”caption”:”In January 2017, Cardi released her second mixtape, Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 2.”,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/CARDI-B-Transformation-05.jpg?resize=1157%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2019-09-25T16:52:46-04:00″,”caption”:”The \u201cBest Life\u201d crooner was nominated for Best New Artist and Best Female Hip-Hop Artist at the BET Awards in May 2017. One month later, \u201cBodak Yellow\u201d was released as Cardi\u2019s commercial debut single. \n”,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/CARDI-B-Transformation-06.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2019-09-25T16:52:46-04:00″,”caption”:”Cardi also collaborated on tunes like \u201cNo Limit\u201d and \u201cMotorSport,\u201d where she became the first female rapper to land her first three songs in the top 10 of the Hot 100. “,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/CARDI-B-Transformation-07.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2019-09-25T16:52:46-04:00″,”caption”:”Cardi and Offset had their first date in February 2017.”,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/CARDI-B-Transformation-08.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2019-09-25T16:52:46-04:00″,”caption”:”Offset proposed to Cardi on stage at Power 99\u2019s Powerhouse concert in Philadelphia in October 2017. Afterward, the entertainer showed off her gorgeous ring via Instagram. \u201cJesus Christ, I\u2019m so emotional, @offsetyrn. I loveee you so much,\u201d she captioned the photo. \u201cThank you for seeing the potential in me since you met me … I can\u2019t wait to spend FOREVAAAA with you. Let\u2019s make a lot of shmoney and love together.\u201d”,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/CARDI-B-Transformation-09.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2019-09-25T16:52:46-04:00″,”caption”:”In December 2017, multiple videos surfaced online that Offset had cheated with other women. Cardi got candid about the allegations in February 2018 but defended her decision to stay with Offset. \u201cI know I look good, I know I\u2019m rich, I know I\u2019m talented. I know I could get any man I want \u2014 any basketball player, football player,\u201d she told Cosmopolitan. \u201cBut I want to work out my s\u2014t with my man, and I don\u2019t got to explain why. I\u2019m not your property. This is my life … I\u2019m going to take my time, and I\u2019m going to decide on my decision … It\u2019s not right, what he f\u2014king did, but people don\u2019t know what I did, \u2018cause I ain\u2019t no angel.\””,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/CARDI-B-Transformation-10.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2019-09-25T16:52:46-04:00″,”caption”:”Her debut album, Invasion of Privacy, was released in April 2018. Four months later, the album\u2019s fourth single, \u201cI Like It\u201d reached number one on the Hot 100 charts.”,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/CARDI-B-Transformation-11.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2019-10-01T16:11:29-04:00″,”caption”:”Cardi debuted her baby bump in a tight white dress while she performed her song \u201cBe Careful\u201d on Saturday Night Live\u00a0in April 2018.”,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/cardi-b-saturday-night-live-pregnant-nbc.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2019-09-25T16:52:46-04:00″,”caption”:”The reality starlet proudly displayed her bump in a Jeremy Scott for Moschino gown at the 2018 Met Gala in New York City.”,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/CARDI-B-Transformation-15.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2019-09-25T16:52:46-04:00″,”caption”:”In July 2018, Cardi gave birth to her first child with Offset \u2014 Kulture. One month later, Cardi went on to win three awards at the MTV VMAs. \u201cA couple of months ago, a lot of people were saying, \u2018You know you\u2019re gambling your career. You\u2019re about to have a baby. What are you doing?\u2019\u201d she said during her speech. \u201cAnd you know, I had a baby, I carried the baby, and now, I\u2019m still winning awards!\u201d\n\nOffset is also a father to sons Jordan Cephus, Kody Cephus and daughter Kalea Marie Cephus from other relationships.\n\nCardi opened up about her plastic surgery around that time, revealing that she had her breasts redone as well as liposuction after giving birth to her daughter.”,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/CARDI-B-Transformation-14.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2019-09-25T16:52:46-04:00″,”caption”:”Cardi revealed in an Instagram video in December 2018 that she and Offset split up after being married for over a year. \u201cThings just haven\u2019t been working out between us for a long time,\u201d she said. But in February 2019, Cardi and Offset appeared at the 61st annual Grammy Awards where they couldn\u2019t stop packing on the PDA.”,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/CARDI-B-Transformation-16.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2019-09-25T16:52:46-04:00″,”caption”:”At the Grammys, she received five nominations including Album of the Year, Best Rap Album and Record of the Year. Cardi was the first female rapper to win Best Rap Album as a solo artist. “,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/CARDI-B-Transformation-17.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2019-09-25T16:52:46-04:00″,”caption”:”\u201cBefore, I cared about everything \u2014 relationship, gossip,\u201d she told Harper\u2019s BAZAAR\u00a0following her February 2019 Grammys win. \u201cNow, I don\u2019t feel like I have the time to please people. I don\u2019t care about anything anymore \u2014 just my career and my kid.\u201d”,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/CARDI-B-Transformation-18.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2019-09-25T16:52:46-04:00″,”caption”:”Cardi also appeared in her first feature film, Hustlers, in September 2019. She also nabbed a role in the movie\u00a0F9.”,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/CARDI-B-Transformation-20.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2021-03-09T15:47:53-05:00″,”caption”:”Cardi teamed up with Megan Thee Stallion for the single \”WAP\” in August 2020, which became a social media sensation thanks to her lyrics and risque outfit in the video. She filed for divorce from Offset the very next month, but later reconciled with him.”,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Living-Her-Best-Life-See-Cardi-Bs-Amazing-Transformation-Over-the-Years01.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2021-03-09T15:47:54-05:00″,”caption”:”In February 2021, she kicked off her new era of music with the single \”Up.\” That same year, she welcomed baby No. 2 with Offset.”,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Living-Her-Best-Life-See-Cardi-Bs-Amazing-Transformation-Over-the-Years03.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2025-02-02T22:23:46-05:00″,”caption”:”Cardi B was in great spirits when she hit up E11EVEN Miami in December 2022, rocking copper colored hair and a sheer bodysuit that revealed her undergarments.\n\nThe performer has been candid about her plastic surgery procedures, revealing she was removing the silicone from her butt in 2022 after getting injections in 2014.”,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/cardi-b-transformation-2022.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2025-02-02T22:23:46-05:00″,”caption”:”In 2023, Cardi revealed she felt compelled to get a nose job after getting botched fillers done in 2019.\n\nShe rocked the crowd and looked amazing when taking the stage in a revealing ensemble for The Fontainebleau Miami Beach NYE 2024 Celebration.”,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/cardi-b-transformation-2023.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2025-02-02T22:23:46-05:00″,”caption”:”Cardi B and Offset welcomed baby No. 3, a daughter, on September 7, 2024, one month after she filed for divorce from Offset a second time in August 2024. Their divorce is ongoing.\n\nFollowing the arrival of her third child, she slammed rumors that she went under the knife. \u201cY\u2019all really need to relax,\u201d Cardi wrote on X in October 2024. \u201cThis is how my body REALLY LOOKS LIKE.\u201d\n\n\u201cI want y’all to think wit y’all brain,\u201d she added. \u201cY’all was just praising my body couple days ago \u2026do yall think I went and got surgery in 2 days?\u201d\n\nDespite her breakup, she wowed while making an appearance at the Flagship Opening of \”SKIMS\” store in late 2024.”,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/cardi-b-transformation-2024.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2025-02-02T22:23:46-05:00″,”caption”:”The 2025 Grammy nominee dazzled in a black Roberto Cavalli dress for the star-studded award show.”,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/cardi-b-2025-transformation.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″}]}
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Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock
The Beginning
Before Cardi appeared on Love & Hip Hop, she became a stripper at 19. “A lot of women here, they taught me to be powerful,” she said in an interview with CBS in December 2018. “I did gain, like, a passion and love [for] performing. It made me feel pretty.”
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Mediapunch/Shutterstock
No Regrets
When it comes to her past, the songstress has no regrets. “I’m glad for this chapter in my life,” she said about being an exotic dancer during the CBS interview. “A lot of people always want to make fun of me, ‘Oh, you used to be a stripper!’ I don’t regret it because I learned a lot. I feel like it matured me.”
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Mediapunch/Shutterstock
Rise to Fame
After Cardi became a VH1 fan-favorite, she gained a lot of traction. “The first time around I was a bit skeptical when approached to be on the show because I was working on my music,” she told The Post in 2016. “I did not really want to open up about my entire life on TV, but it was a big opportunity. I am very surprised about the feedback I was getting. I was just being myself.”
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Stephen Lovekin/Variety/Shutterstock
Superstar In the Making
“I was skeptical about recording and putting my mixtape out because what if people did not like it?” she explained at the time. “I had low expectations, so I was just going to be happy with making money off of YouTube videos. But a lot of people downloaded my music, and I ended up doing a tour that was really successful. It is crazy that people are interested in me. I am just a girl from the Bronx.”
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Stephen Lovekin/WWD/Shutterstock
New Tunes
In January 2017, Cardi released her second mixtape, Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 2.
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Broadimage/Shutterstock
Tearing Up the Charts
The “Best Life” crooner was nominated for Best New Artist and Best Female Hip-Hop Artist at the BET Awards in May 2017. One month later, “Bodak Yellow” was released as Cardi’s commercial debut single.
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Matt Baron/Shutterstock
Hustling
Cardi also collaborated on tunes like “No Limit” and “MotorSport,” where she became the first female rapper to land her first three songs in the top 10 of the Hot 100.
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Broadimage/Shutterstock
Love Is in the Air
Cardi and Offset had their first date in February 2017.
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Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
Forever and Always
Offset proposed to Cardi on stage at Power 99’s Powerhouse concert in Philadelphia in October 2017. Afterward, the entertainer showed off her gorgeous ring via Instagram. “Jesus Christ, I’m so emotional, @offsetyrn. I loveee you so much,” she captioned the photo. “Thank you for seeing the potential in me since you met me … I can’t wait to spend FOREVAAAA with you. Let’s make a lot of shmoney and love together.”
10 of 24
Matt Baron/Shutterstock
Staying Strong
In December 2017, multiple videos surfaced online that Offset had cheated with other women. Cardi got candid about the allegations in February 2018 but defended her decision to stay with Offset. “I know I look good, I know I’m rich, I know I’m talented. I know I could get any man I want — any basketball player, football player,” she told Cosmopolitan. “But I want to work out my s—t with my man, and I don’t got to explain why. I’m not your property. This is my life … I’m going to take my time, and I’m going to decide on my decision … It’s not right, what he f—king did, but people don’t know what I did, ‘cause I ain’t no angel.”
11 of 24
Matt Sayles/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
Money Moves
Her debut album, Invasion of Privacy, was released in April 2018. Four months later, the album’s fourth single, “I Like It” reached number one on the Hot 100 charts.
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Will Heath/NBC
Surprise!
Cardi debuted her baby bump in a tight white dress while she performed her song “Be Careful” on Saturday Night Live in April 2018.
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Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
Belle of the Ball
The reality starlet proudly displayed her bump in a Jeremy Scott for Moschino gown at the 2018 Met Gala in New York City.
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WWD/Shutterstock
Hot Mama
In July 2018, Cardi gave birth to her first child with Offset — Kulture. One month later, Cardi went on to win three awards at the MTV VMAs. “A couple of months ago, a lot of people were saying, ‘You know you’re gambling your career. You’re about to have a baby. What are you doing?’” she said during her speech. “And you know, I had a baby, I carried the baby, and now, I’m still winning awards!”
Offset is also a father to sons Jordan Cephus, Kody Cephus and daughter Kalea Marie Cephus from other relationships.
Cardi opened up about her plastic surgery around that time, revealing that she had her breasts redone as well as liposuction after giving birth to her daughter.
15 of 24
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
Hot and Heavy
Cardi revealed in an Instagram video in December 2018 that she and Offset split up after being married for over a year. “Things just haven’t been working out between us for a long time,” she said. But in February 2019, Cardi and Offset appeared at the 61st annual Grammy Awards where they couldn’t stop packing on the PDA.
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AFF-USA/Shutterstock
Winning
At the Grammys, she received five nominations including Album of the Year, Best Rap Album and Record of the Year. Cardi was the first female rapper to win Best Rap Album as a solo artist.
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Broadimage/Shutterstock
The Important Things
“Before, I cared about everything — relationship, gossip,” she told Harper’s BAZAAR following her February 2019 Grammys win. “Now, I don’t feel like I have the time to please people. I don’t care about anything anymore — just my career and my kid.”
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Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
Busy Bee
Cardi also appeared in her first feature film, Hustlers, in September 2019. She also nabbed a role in the movie F9.
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LAURENT LAURENT VU/SIPA/Shutterstock
An Iconic Collaboration
Cardi teamed up with Megan Thee Stallion for the single “WAP” in August 2020, which became a social media sensation thanks to her lyrics and risque outfit in the video. She filed for divorce from Offset the very next month, but later reconciled with him.
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Andrew H. Walker/Shutterstock
Leveling ‘Up’
In February 2021, she kicked off her new era of music with the single “Up.” That same year, she welcomed baby No. 2 with Offset.
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Getty Images
Dare to Bare
Cardi B was in great spirits when she hit up E11EVEN Miami in December 2022, rocking copper colored hair and a sheer bodysuit that revealed her undergarments.
The performer has been candid about her plastic surgery procedures, revealing she was removing the silicone from her butt in 2022 after getting injections in 2014.
22 of 24
Getty Images
Electric Performance
In 2023, Cardi revealed she felt compelled to get a nose job after getting botched fillers done in 2019.
She rocked the crowd and looked amazing when taking the stage in a revealing ensemble for The Fontainebleau Miami Beach NYE 2024 Celebration.
23 of 24
Getty Images
A New Addition
Cardi B and Offset welcomed baby No. 3, a daughter, on September 7, 2024, one month after she filed for divorce from Offset a second time in August 2024. Their divorce is ongoing.
Following the arrival of her third child, she slammed rumors that she went under the knife. “Y’all really need to relax,” Cardi wrote on X in October 2024. “This is how my body REALLY LOOKS LIKE.”
“I want y’all to think wit y’all brain,” she added. “Y’all was just praising my body couple days ago …do yall think I went and got surgery in 2 days?”
Despite her breakup, she wowed while making an appearance at the Flagship Opening of “SKIMS” store in late 2024.
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Getty Images
Golden Goddess
The 2025 Grammy nominee dazzled in a black Roberto Cavalli dress for the star-studded award show.