Cardi B surprises Jennifer Hudson by performing her song "Spotlight"...Then Drops NEW Album News & Breaks Down Her Court Case Experience.
For her first appearance, the cast of the Jennifer Hudson Show re-enacted Cardi B's blockbuster single, "Bodak Yellow."
The spirit tunnel from Cardi's September 2 guest appearance, in which the team reversed the lyrics from "Bodak Yellow" to honor the Grammy winner, was shared on the popular talk show on Monday, September 15.
"At the happy place, she's a superstar/Number one, she's got all the hits/Run go hella hard," the squad rapped.
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The team went on to say that because Cardi was "lit," they had to give her "all the love." They went on to say, "If you see her, make sure you speak/Because she's who you wanna be."
Before Cardi went onstage to speak with Hudson, the video concluded with her bursting with enthusiasm.
As the talk show host and entertainer joined her, the Bronx native also had a song in her heart and broke out into Hudson's "Spotlight" during the broadcast.
The Jennifer Hudson Show is well-known for its spirit tunnel entrances, which frequently go viral. Notable honorees include Aaron Pierre, Big Sean, and SZA.
Cardi's appearance marks the continuation of the rollout of her eagerly anticipated second album, Am I the Drama?, which she has been actively promoting with interviews, a pop-up, and a six-date meet and greet tour. The "Outside" singer has also filmed amusing skits in which she claims she is in dire need of money and is short of recouping her label, Atlantic Records.
Cardi B may have dozed off during her recent trial, but she's not sleeping on preparations for her upcoming tour.
On Monday, September 15, while making an appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show, the rapper thought back on her time on the witness stand this summer as she defended herself against assault claims, the appearance comes almost two weeks after a judge decided in favor of Cardi after a week-long trial over former security guard Emani Ellis' claims that the star had hurt her during an altercation in 2018, which Cardi has repeatedly denied. She later confirmed that she will be traveling soon to support her rapidly approaching new album Am I the Drama?
"I was very, very upset," the Bronx native informed Hudson about having to stand a jury trial. "I'm in the middle of an album rollout, and I have to go to court. Then, when I get to court, I realize that it's going to be on national TV, being televised. It's like, ‘You've got to be kidding me.' I missed my kids' first day of school!"
Fans who watched the trial zoomed in on Cardi's face as she seemed to drop off, and when Hudson questioned whether she had indeed fallen asleep in the courtroom for a brief while, the Grammy winner said, "I am not even going to lie, I was." "I had a long night!" she laughed as she clarified. "I'm in the middle of an album rollout. I was so sleepy, I was trying to fight it."
Although Cardi was not thrilled about having to appear in court during the album's rollout, she recently found humor in the situation by releasing copies of the album with alternate artwork that features photos of her in the courtroom. Now that her trial is over, Cardi can focus entirely on the release of Am I the Drama?, which drops this Friday, September 19.
"Yes, I actually have an announcement coming soon!" she exclaimed, squealing with excitement, before adding, "I am already preparing for it. I am at the gym, and I am taking dance classes already." She also confirmed that she is planning a tour as part of her album plans during Hudson's show.
Despite being a seasoned performer, Cardi's next journey is anticipated to be her first official headlining tour. In her September Billboard cover story, the diva recently discussed the prospect of going on tour for the first time and criticized the fact that a follow-up album was not released until seven years after her first, Invasion of Privacy.
"A lot of people say I got comfortable because I make money, but the most money I make is when I go and do shows," she informed Carl Lamarre, senior director of R&B/hip-hop at Billboard. "I could rush and put out music like it's nothing and then pick up millions of dollars per show, but it's not about that. I want the music to be great. I want it to be amazing."
Cardi accepted Billboard's Impact of the Year award at the 2025 R&B / Hip-Hop Power Players event just moments after the news went published. "I'm just so happy that I'm a part of something that I love," in a speech, she stated. "I always dreamed about this career - I just felt like with the environment that I was in, dreaming was dreaming. Reality crushes your dreams. So, I'm happy that my career is the career that I always dreamed of."
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