Leave it to Cardi B to turn a public health message into an unforgettable moment of sex positivity, pole dancing, and unapologetic real talk.
On Thursday night (Oct. 9), the Grammy-winning rapper made a surprise appearance at MISTR’s National PrEP Day celebration at The Abbey, West Hollywood’s iconic gay bar and nightlife institution. The event, created to raise awareness about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a medication that reduces the risk of HIV transmission, was part party, part public service, and all fabulous.
Dressed in a skin-tight glittering catsuit and visibly pregnant with her fourth child (her first with NFL star Stefon Diggs), Cardi B turned heads and grabbed attention the way only she can. And just when the crowd thought the night couldn’t get more Cardi, she was pulled onstage and treated to a steamy pole dance by one of the MISTR dancers.
But it wasn’t all just spectacle. Cardi used the platform to deliver a passionate, and explicit, message to her fans about the importance of taking charge of their sexual health.
Later that evening, she took to Instagram Live to continue the conversation, reminding viewers that PrEP isn’t just for the LGBTQ+ community—it’s for anyone at risk.
“I understand where the stigma came from and everything. HIV is really, like, high in the gay community,” she said. “But why you think these bitches don’t be having that shit? Y’all bitches needa take that shit too. This sh*t for everybody.”
Known for her no-filter commentary, Cardi addressed concerns about side effects, responding to one commenter who said PrEP “can mess up your liver and kidneys.”
“Baby, I’d rather my liver and kidneys be messed up than my pussy,” she quipped, sending her viewers—and fans across Twitter—into a frenzy.
The event brought out a star-studded guest list, including NeNe Leakes, Tamar Braxton, and TS Madison and so many more, who all showed support for the campaign led by MISTR, the online telehealth platform that provides free access to PrEP and other sexual health resources, particularly for LGBTQ+ individuals.
MISTR launched National PrEP Day to normalize conversations about HIV prevention and promote access to life-saving medication. While PrEP has been around for over a decade, barriers still exist, including stigma, misinformation, and access—that prevent many people, especially in communities of color, from taking advantage of it.
Cardi B’s involvement brings high-profile attention to the campaign, and fans say her unfiltered delivery might just be what helps shift the conversation.
This isn’t the first time Cardi has used her platform to support public health initiatives. During the COVID-19 pandemic, her outspoken commentary and support for vaccination reached millions. Now, she’s using that same influence to uplift the importance of sexual health and HIV prevention.
And in true Cardi fashion, she reminded viewers of the risks involved in unprotected sex—particularly with wealthy men.
“You’ll most likely catch something from fucking a rich n***a than a broke n***a,” Cardi said on her livestream. “That’s math. You see how we doing algebra? 1 + 1 = take the PrEP.”
