Rapper Cardi B hosted the American Music Awards on Sunday, November 21, 2021, and not only did she do an amazing job keeping attendees and at-home viewers entertained, but the charismatic musician also shut it down with her incredible fashion choices. From her masked red carpet look to the multiple stage outfits she donned, she absolutely stunned.
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Not only did the rapper play host for the night, but she also won the award for Favorite hip-hop song for her summer 2021 hit, "Up." So of course, she had to show out with her fashion choices, which honestly, stole the show. Cardi had a whopping eight outfit changes throughout the evening, and it was just as much fun seeing what she would put on next as it was listening to her wisecracks. Keep scrolling to see all the fun details.
She went simple for the red carpet rollout.
Cardi went simple and classic for her red carpet rollout appearance ahead of the ceremony. She wore a black velvet gown with a thigh-high slit that was embellished with crystals. Her hair was in long, loose waves and she accessorized the outfit with a pair of strappy heels.
Jaws dropped over Cardi B's masked red carpet look.
To start the night off with a bang, Cardi donned a shocking red carpet look that featured a classic, floor-length black gown, topped off with a gilded gold mask that covered her entire face and a black veil that resembled a shroud.
Her accessories were over the top.
Instead of going over the top with her entire look, Cardi let her eerie accessories take all the attention, between the mask, her big, bold earrings and the clawed gloves she wore, the overall look was striking.
Cardi admitted to being nervous.
During her opening monologue at the awards show, the first-time host admitted to being nervous and warned viewers that she might "get things messed up." "I ain't gonna lie, I'm a little nervous. I'm shaking," she said. With that headdress, we don't think anybody was paying attention to a little stutter.
Cardi was so complimentary of her fellow artists.
Cardi seemed to truly enjoy her hosting gig. She definitely stuck with her signature style of humor, but was also super complimentary of her fellow artists, often gushing over stars like Olivia Rodrigo and Billy Porter.
Cardi B introduced the world premiere of the new BTS song.
Cardi B, who actually said that she was supposed to work with BTS over the summer, but didn't get to because of scheduling conflicts, got to introduce the Korean boy band's brand-new song, "My Universe."
Cardi fan-girled over JoJo Siwa.
Cardi's daughter Kulture is apparently a fan of entertainer JoJo Siwa, so when Cardi spotted her, she ended up inviting her over for Christmas. "I see you JoJo Siwa. My husband was trying to get JoJo Siwa for my daughter's birthday party, but she is booked and busy," Cardi said. Then, when JoJo took the stage, she told Cardi she'd try to be there.
Cardi was feeling this Jean Paul Gaultier gown.
Cardi loved this sheer, chartreuse colored Jean Paul Gaultier gown so much, she couldn't help twirling on stage in it. Her wardrobe for the AMAs was literally made for fairy tale moments.
Cardi won an award for 'Up.'
During the middle of the ceremony, Cardi paused her hosting duties to accept the award for Favorite Hip-Hop Song for her song, "Up," which came out in February, 2021, but ended up being one of the biggest hits of the summer.
Cardi was happy to introduce her 'girl,' Jennifer Lopez.
As host, Cardi introduced J.Lo for her performance of her new song, "On My Way." Cardi made sure everyone watching knows they are both from the Bronx, and called J.Lo a "big time hustler."
This look gave us throwback Cardi vibes.
At one point, Cardi stepped out in a black and white corseted gown, as well as a massive headdress that looked a lot like an old-fashioned, Spanish-style fan. It reminded us of her Carmen Miranda-inspired fruit headdress in the "I Like It" video.
Her last outfit on stage was more casual, but equally dramatic.
For her last stage look of the evening, Cardi wore a fitted denim jacket with oversized sleeves, that was embellished with ornate gold accents, that she paired with skintight leather pants. Her earrings were in the shape of the "mal de ojo" symbol.
Cardi's post-ceremony look was one of our faves.
Cardi's last outfit of the night, was another floor-length gown with a high slit, but this one was quite different from the rest of her AMAs looks. First off, it was white, compared to the mostly dark looks she donned earlier in the evening and secondly, because she wore it with an ethereal, bejeweled hood that made her look angelic. It was super-pretty.
Fans loved seeing Cardi in such a visible role.
Hosting a major awards show is a big deal no matter who you are, but fans were really proud and excited to see the Afro-Latina hip-hop star on such a huge stage. Lots of people took to social media to congratulate her and cheer her on throughout the evening.
It's the fifth consecutive year that a Black female celebrity hosts the show.
2021 marks the fifth consecutive year that a Black, female celebrity hosts the AMAs. Previously, Tracee Ellis Ross hosted in 2017 and 2018, Ciara hosted in 2019, and Taraji P. Henson hosted in 2020.
