Cardi B defends not knowing Met Gala dress designer’s ‘complicated’ name after backlash

It’s complicated.

Cardi B has been making headlines for failing to remember the name of Sensen Lii, the Windowsen designer who created her head-turning Met Gala 2024 dress — but the rapper posted a now-expired video on Instagram explaining the snub.

In the clip (per TMZ), the “WAP” singer, 31, said she noticed fans “fake gagging on Twitter” over her snafu after Vogue shared a video of the star saying her “amazing” dress designer was “Asian and everything.”

Sensen Lii, the designer for Windowsen, created the larger-than-life black gown. Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
The rapper responded to the controversy with a now-deleted Instagram video explaining her thought process. Cardi B/Instagram

Cardi B shared that she felt “very scared” while walking up the Met Steps due to the enormous train on her gown, which featured 3,000 meters of black organza.

“I was being rushed to the front of the line, so when I was getting interviewed, I kind of forgot to pronounce the designer’s name, because his name is a little bit complicated,” she admitted.

“I was like damn, how to pronounce his name … my mind was just racing,” the “Bodak Yellow” singer shared.

“I was being rushed to the front of the line, so when I was getting interviewed, I kind of forgot to pronounce the designer’s name, because his name is a little bit complicated,” she admitted. Cardi B/Instagram
The rapper made a grand entrance at the ball, with the help of at least nine men. Getty Images

Cardi B continued that “the former director of Vogue,” Gilbert Cheah, appeared to be “offended” by her “Asian” comment after he posted a comment on Vogue’s Reel.

“For the record and recognition, and no thanks to Cardii B, the designer of her gown is Sensen Lii who’s Chinese,” Cheah wrote.

“The gown took two months to make. I personally think it’s boring and not even on theme but she chose it and should have at least remembered his name and not just that he’s ‘Asian,’” he continued.

She posed up a storm in the black gown, headpiece and emerald jewelry. Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
The rapper changed into a Revolve Atelier red gown for the afterparty. GC Images

However, Cardi B explained that she didn’t know the Windowsen designer’s specific nationality.

“I don’t want to get someone’s nationality mixed up,” she said, delivering a dig to Cheah by calling him “shady” and musing that it “proves why” the fashion pro was “the former director” of Vogue.


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The singer wrapped up her clip by whipping out a Chanel bag and telling her audience that she was “gonna go shopping.”

She also posted a tribute to the designer on Wednesday, writing on X (formerly Twitter), “I have to give another thank you to Windowsen by Sensen Lii!!!”

She continued, “I chose you because of your amazing talent and you came through really making this Met Gala a night to remember 🖤🥀”

Cardi B has spoken.