Congratulations are in order for Cardi B! And no, it’s not because she dropped her first album and got a major co-sign from none other than Oprah Winfrey. It’s not because she’s about to make history on The Tonight Show or because her album is already certified gold. It’s because she managed to keep her pregnancy (sort of) hidden for something like six or seven months (we’re waiting for due date deets) with some strategic poses and a whole lot of fabric. The rapper announced that she’s expecting while performing on Saturday Night Live, and while some of us are like:
We’re still all like:
Take a look through the gallery below to see just how Cardi B. kept her baby bump hidden for these past few months.
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1 By claiming she was just getting fat.Instagram
It all started when a fan commented on a video of Cardi B asking if she was pregnant, to which Cardi responded, “Let me fat in peace.” This was early February, so pregnancy rumors hadn’t yet gained momentum, but they were about to. -
2 With a huge teddy bear from Offset.Instagram
When her fiance, Offset, sent her a teddy bear, Cardi took a full body shot, but also used the teddy bear as a shield for her belly. Was there a bump yet? Probably not…but she was practicing for the day when she’d have to hide that belly for real. -
3 With strategically placed fur.Getty Images
Which she did. First, it was at New York Fashion Week with some fur. -
4 By wearing clothes that were too big for her.Instagram
Then in an oversized, bright pink suit. -
5 By distracting everyone with bold colors.Instagram
In February, TMZ reported that members of Cardi B’s team were telling people at Superbowl after parties that the rapper was three to four months pregnant. Bold colors were the name of the game for Cardi when it came to disguising the bump. -
6Getty Images
But was it enough????? -
7 With a costume team that knew a thing or two about hiding a bump with leather…Getty Images
Then there was some strategic costuming involved with the rapper’s iHeartRadio Music Awards performance in early March. -
8 And a lot of fabric.Getty Images
There was whole lotta tulle involved with her dress for the evening. At this point, rumors were flying that she would be around seven months pregnant during her stint at Coachella with the baby due in July 2018. -
9 By ~*distracting*~ us with patterned robes.Instagram
She also wore patterned robes and did some strategic sitting to keep that bump out of view during Instagram photos and videos. She also started posting photos just from the neck up, which, as we know from Kylie Jenner’s low-key pregnancy, is a very strategic move. -
10 With ruffles up the wazoo.Getty Images
In April, Cardi hid her bump with a dress that was full of ruffles. -
11 And a not so subtle cover-up.Getty Images
Hmmm…what’s behind that cardboard cut out of your own face, Cardi? -
12 Feathers. Lots of feathers.Getty Images
When she popped up on SNL, her first performance was done in this ensemble that disguised her bump with an obscene amount of feathers. We thought for sure there would be no bump sighting on Saturday night. -
13 And, finally, not at all.Getty Images
But then she decided to grace us with a performance of her song “Be Careful” in a skin tight, white Christian Siriano gown. Look at the bump! No more hiding for Baby Bardi–She’s free!
The cast of Love & Hip Hop poke a little fun at Cardi, and give their best Cardi B impression.