Cardi B, a Grammy-winning artist and cultural icon, has consistently been a lightning rod for both admiration and controversy. Starting from her bold lyrics to her unapologetic social media presence, she has never zipped herself from speaking her mind.

Recently, however, her outspoken nature landed her in the middle of some controversies, including a backlash over her political endorsements and personal remarks. Amid this storm, professional boxer Claressa Shields came forward in a show of unexpected support. Let’s find out what happened!

Claressa Shields’ take on Cardi B 

Recently, Claressa Shields, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and one of the most decorated female boxers in history took to her social media to express her frustration at the undue criticism Cardi B faced. “I feel Cardi b pain, some of you btcs be losers, man. Ain’t got s**t to do all day but talk about celebrities and accomplished athletes business. SMH 🤦🏾‍♀️ Making up f**e blogs, texts, and narratives, it’s so pathetic. I hate that for y’all. For real” Shields wrote.

It all started when Cardi B publicly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Not very long ago, Cardi B took to her Instagram to share some words about the election and quoted, “To Vice President Kamala, no matter what they’ve said to bring you down or belittle your run for presidency they can never say you didn’t run your race with honesty and with integrity …. I never thought I would see the day that a woman of color would be running for the President of the United States, but you have shown me, showed my daughter and women across the country that anything is possible. Thank You for being an example, thank you for being empowered, thank you for being a real example of what the American dream should be !”

Cardi not only voiced her support on social media but also took center stage at a Milwaukee rally, advocating for Harris’s policies on women’s rights, healthcare, and economic reform. However, following Harris’s defeat in the election, the singer faced a wave of backlash, with critics targeting her political stance and questioning her motives. Shields’s support for Cardi B brings out a broader issue that women of color often face, hyper-scrutiny and relentless judgment.

The 29-year-old boxing champion endured a traumatic childhood marked by her father’s impr****ment, her mother’s add**tion, and a**se by her mother’s male visitors. Rescued by her grandmother, Shields survived these adversities and emerged as an Olympic gold medalist and multiple-weight champion. Both Cardi and Shields have built their careers on breaking barriers and defying stereotypes, making them frequent targets for detractors.

Rising above criticism to conquer new arenas

For Cardi B, the support from Shields is likely a welcome reminder that she isn’t alone in her fight to be heard. And for Shields, supporting Cardi is more than just defending a fellow celebrity; it’s about fostering unity in the face of adversity. No matter what she does, the boxer always seems to face constant scrutiny despite her achievements. Recently, she defeated Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse in light heavyweight boxing and returned to MMA, scoring a win at the PFL vs. Bellator event.

Shields, confident in her boxing skills, dismisses comparisons with MMA juggernauts like Amanda Nunes by asserting her dominance in women’s boxing while acknowledging the challenges of MMA. Having ventured into MMA under the PFL banner three years ago, Shields remains determined to excel across combat sports. Fans recognize her as the best female boxer of her era, but her combat sports journey is still unfolding.

Both Cardi B and Claressa Shields, throughout their journey, exemplify resilience in their respective fields, pushing boundaries and challenging stereotypes. While Cardi B uses her platform to advocate for change and empower women, Shields continues to dominate in boxing and venture into MMA, proving her versatility and unmatched skill.

What do you think? How can we, as consumers of media, better support public figures who use their platforms for advocacy? What steps can society take to reduce the toxic culture of online criticism and promote constructive dialogue? Tell us in the comment section below!