by Cardi B’s Deep Fear of Fame and How She Manages Her Anxiety
Cardi B has cemented herself as one of the biggest stars in music today. From her breakout smash hit “Bodak Yellow” to her history-making Grammy wins, Cardi has taken the world by storm ever since she burst onto the rap scene a few years ago. However, with great fame comes great responsibility and pressure, which Cardi has openly admitted gives her deep anxiety. In a revealing new interview, the rap superstar discussed her constant fear that fame will “destroy” her and shared how she tries to manage her anxiety about her celebrity status.
As Cardi revealed, she is “constantly worried” about how being one of the most famous women in pop culture will impact her life going forward. And who can blame her? The microscope and scrutiny of superstardom is immense and unrelenting. Every move a star as big as Cardi makes is analyzed and picked apart by the public, press and social media. It’s understandable the singer would feel immense pressure being under that kind of glaring spotlight at all times.
Cardi shared that one of her biggest fears is how her fame will affect her family and friends. She understands the massive interest people have in her private life and worries about how that invasive attention will disrupt the lives of those closest to her. Cardi wants to be able to share her success and good fortune with her inner circle, but is rightfully concerned about how the prying eyes of fans and media will make that difficult. The rapper also opened up about fretting over becoming a one-hit wonder, explaining she wants to have a long, fruitful career in music, not just be known for one viral hit song. Again, it’s clear Cardi feels the weight of expectations from the public to keep delivering hit after hit, which has to be daunting.
Beyond worrying about her career and personal relationships, Cardi also confessed to having anxiety about the more toxic side effects of being ultra famous. This includes dealing with constant scrutiny about her looks, outfits, lifestyle and choices she makes by both the media and general public. In today’s digital age, celebs are criticized for just about everything. Every time Cardi posts a photo or video, it immediately elicits thousands of comments dissecting her appearance and offering opinions, both glowing praise and scathing takedowns. For someone who just wants to share their art with the world, this probable feels more like harassment than support.
Cardi also opened up about her dislike of the paparazzi and other intrusive media attention. Having no privacy would be difficult for anyone to handle, but for Cardi, the idea of being constantly followed, photographed and videotaped against her will is extremely anxiety-inducing. She just wants to live her life without being treated like a zoo animal. The non-stop noise of being one of the most omnipresent names in pop clearly takes a toll on Cardi based on her own admission.
However, the Grammy winner made sure to add that despite her fears, she is still extremely grateful for the opportunities fame has afforded her. She recognizes that becoming a household name has allowed her to accomplish things she never dreamed possible before, like topping the charts, selling out shows around the globe and winning major awards. Her immense fanbase and celebrity platform have given Cardi a voice to impact culture and also pursue business ventures like fashion lines and endorsements. So while fame does come with anxiety, Cardi acknowledges there are also a lot of blessings.
Like many stars, Cardi B deals with impostor syndrome and anxiety about losing everything she’s worked hard for. But she seems grounded in remembering where she came from and shows an admirable awareness of both the pros and cons of superstardom. As she learns to navigate fame, Cardi is figuring out how to set boundaries to protect her mental health and privacy. Though she made it clear fame still scares her, the talented rapper demonstrated wisdom and perspective about her new normal.
Here are some ways Cardi B can continue to manage her anxiety about fame going forward:
- Set clear boundaries with the press about off-limit questions/topics
- Limit social media time to avoid getting sucked into negativity
- Rely on a solid support system of close friends & family to stay grounded
- Seek professional help like therapy to process challenging emotions
- Practice self-care through hobbies, exercise, healthy eating, etc.
- Separate from work by taking mental health breaks when needed
- Be selective about events and ventures she takes on to prevent burnout
For Cardi B, the old adage “with great power comes great responsibility” definitely rings true when it comes to her mega fame. However, she has shown amazing resilience and determination so far in handling the pressures of being a household name. With the right balance of work and self-care, continuing to set boundaries, and remembering her blessings, Cardi can hopefully manage her anxiety and not allow fame to “destroy her.” She’s come too far to give up now. Here’s hoping Cardi’s comments spark more dialogue about the personal struggles celebrities face and the need to support their mental health. If she can inspire more compassion for the human side of being famous, her honesty will make an impact.
