Cardi B Talks ‘Love & Hip Hop: New York’ Fame, Explains Why She Was ‘Skeptical’ About Releasing Music

A lot has changed for Cardi B since joining the cast of VH1’s “Love & Hip Hop: New York.” Almost overnight, Cardi went from an Instagram sensation who stripped as a way to make money to a full-blown celebrity. In a new interview, Cardi dished on her newfound fame and her upcoming projects.

Cardi told the New York Post that she was a little “skeptical” about joining the VH1 show in Season 6. “I did not really want to open up about my entire life on TV, but it was a big opportunity,” she said. “I am very surprised about the feedback I was getting. I was just being myself.”

Although Cardi admitted she was hesitant about appearing on the reality series, it turned out that her joining the cast would be great for her career. The rapper told the outlet that she was able to stop stripping on her birthday last year. Cardi was also given the opportunity to venture into acting with a guest stint on BET’s “Being Mary Jane,” and hopes to open a seafood restaurant one day. The show has also helped Cardi’s music career. After Season 6 ended, Cardi released her mixtape.

“I was skeptical about recording and putting my mixtape out because what if people did not like it? I had low expectations so I was just going to be happy with making money off of YouTube videos,” she admitted. “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.”

Because Cardi has become a fan-favorite on “Love & Hip Hop: New York,” her announcement last June that she was leaving the series after Season 7 came as a shock to most people. During an interview with New York radio station Hot97, the 24-year-old confirmed her departure. “I’m not gonna be on ‘Love & Hip Hop’ no more … I only got one more season left, last season,” she said.

In a sneak peek of Season 7, Cardi explained that she’s been enjoying her newfound fame but admitted that it does come with a lot of downsides. In one scene, she told her sister Hennessy that her relationship with Tommy is in trouble because of her sudden success.

“Love & Hip Hop: New York” Season 7 premieres Monday at 8 p.m. EST on VH1.