Between social media, publicists and the ever-constant glare of the paparazzi lens, celebrities aren’t afforded much in the way of privacy at all anymore. Which is why it’s come as a genuine surprise to learn that rapper Cardi B actually married the man believed to be her current fiancé nine whole months ago. And the famously outspoken star’s reveal of why – and how – she kept such a big secret under wraps for so long is extremely sweet. 

Speaking on the news – which was uncovered by gossip site TMZ, after suspicions were pricked by Cardi’s husband Offset referring to her as ‘his wife’ at Saturday’s BET awards – the musician explained the couple’s decision to keep their nuptials quiet was born of a desire having something for ‘[themselves].’

“There are many moments I share with world and then there are moments I want to keep for myself,” Cardi wrote in post shared to Twitter. “Getting married was one of those moments.” 

Details of the wedding are still scarce, as the pair intended, but the marriage certificate dug up by TMZ shows the couple legally tied the knot in Georgia, USA on 20 September 2017, two months before Offset publicly proposed to Cardi at hip hop festival, 99 Powerhouse.

Elaborating further, the singer – who recently discussed her choice not to have an abortion, despite warnings that it would harm her career – explained that the marriage had been a spontaneous decision, with none of the fanfare of the proposal. 

“One morning in September we woke up and decided to get married,” Cardi said. “I said I do with no dress, no make up and no ring.”

As for the later proposal that helped put the world off the scent? It was simply born of thoughtfulness on Offset’s part.

“I appreciate and love my husband so much for still wanting me to have that special moment every girl dreams of when he got down on his knee and put a ring on my finger,” Cardi said.

“Now you lil [nosy] f*cks know, at least ya can stop saying I had a baby out of wedlock,” she added. 

Since shooting to international fame, Cardi has spoken openly about the effect the intrusiveness of celebrity has had on her, deactivating social media at times to escape the constant scrutiny and titling her debut album, Invasion of Privacy, in reference to the constant demand of information about her.

“I have been so open to people about myself,” said the star earlier this year, commenting on then-yet-to-be-confirmed rumours of her pregnancy. 

“People cannot expect me to be open about everything. Certain things to me, it has to be private. You cannot invade my privacy.”

Read Cardi’s full post on her marriage below.

Images: Getty