Rapper Offset on Saturday night fuelled rumours that his split from Cardi B is nothing more than a publicity stunt – something Cardi B has denied – by crashing her performance in Los Angeles.
A few songs into Cardi’s set, a sign made of flowers spelling out “Take Me Back” was rolled onto the stage. Offset walked out and approached his wife, who looked upset.
“I just want to tell you I’m sorry,” he told Cardi. “I love you. Whatever I’ve got to do to show you.”
Cardi was having none of it.
Eventually the stage lights were dimmed, but Offset could be seen walking off the stage. Cardi B continued with the show.
On social media, many people wondered why the Rolling Loud Festival organizers and the venue, Banc of California Stadium Grounds, would allow Offset to interrupt Cardi’s performance.
On Sunday, Tariq Cheerif, Rolling Loud co-founder, shared a statement on Twitter. “Headliners and their teams have full control of the stage and who is allowed on it during their set. The festival does not interfere with or influence a headliner’s set list," it read.
“We have never and will never do anything to change a headliner’s set. We were tipped off that something was going to happen, but had nothing to do with the organization or execution of it."
Regarding last night at #rollingloud LA. We love you @iamcardib pic.twitter.com/PVGpPMxFI7
— Rolling Loud (@RollingLoud) December 16, 2018
Cardi previously insisted the couple's separation is real. "I wouldn't put my family in a bad name for no f**king publicity. Because at the end of the day, 10 years from now, my daughter, she's gonna be looking at these type of things and she's gonna be asking me about these type of things."
If the moment wasn’t, in fact, staged by the couple, many fans felt it was an embarrassment for Cardi, who is the first female artist to headline the festival.
“Tonight should have been about Cardi *headlining* the Rolling Loud festival,” tweeted Naima Cochrane. “Instead it’s all about what this dude did & how she reacted. No convos about her performance. In fact, it’s stealing thunder even from other performers tonight. That’s selfish AF. That’s manipulation.”
MORE: Offset Asks Cardi B For Forgiveness
Brittany Packnett tweeted: “I just want us to make sure we don’t continuously romanticize manipulative, entitled behavior. Impressionable young folks will miss important red flags.”
In an Instagram video she shared early Sunday, Cardi asked people to go easy on Offset.
“I’m not saying that I’m going to get back together with him. I just don’t like that bashing online thing,” she said, adding that no man will love their daughter Kulture like Offset.
The Migos rapper’s on-stage appeal to Cardi came one night after he posted a video message on Instagram begging for her forgiveness.
“I want to get this off my shoulders, I want to get this off my back … I didn't f**k that girl but I was entertaining it, and I love you I hope you forgive me,” Offset said. “My birthday wish is just to have you back.”