Responding to a Twitter comment from activist Kenidra Woods yesterday, Cardi B opened up about the pressure she’s put under by those who see her as a role model, and how people still bring up her past.
“I love you ALOT,” read the original message from Woods. “But I don't agree with the messages you've been sending us young girls. So many of us look at you as a role model and that should send a very loud message.”
But Cardi B’s response suggests that she feels weighed down by the “role model” label (and the obligation to perform a certain set of ideals that goes with it). “For these past two years I been watching what I say and I haven’t been myself,” she writes.
“I been feeling trap and sad cause it’s not ME but everybody tell me to be it for me to be this ‘rolemodel’ and guess what ? People still spit my past right in my face so for now imma be my old self again.”
This statement comes in the wake of a controversy about a three year old, resurfaced Instagram Live video, in which Cardi B said she used to drug and rob men who tried to pay for sex. “I never claim to be an angel I always been a street bitch,” she wrote in response to criticisms about the video (in line with her being “her old self again”) and pointed out the hypocrisy of those who glorify male rappers for similar acts.