On Monday night (Aug. 20), Cardi B opened the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards with a quick monologue in which she tricked fans into thinking she had brought her new baby, Kulture, on stage.

Sporting an intricate red dress and short hair, she clutched a pink blanket to her chest as the lights shone on her and she welcomed the audience to her hometown of New York.

"Welcome to New York y'all. I'm the empress—the liberals voted for me," she said with her signature cackle. Although many were hoping the new mother would perform at the VMAs, she still didn't disappoint serving as the opener for the show.

Ultimately, she revealed that what she was holding was an award—though it doesn't appear she's won anything quite yet.

Cardi is up for a number of awards tonight, including Artist of the Year, Best New Artist, Best Hip-Hop for "Bartier Cardi" featuring 21 Savage and both Song and Video of the Year for "Finesse (Remix)" with Bruno Mars.

Check out video of Cardi's prank and photos of her red carpet look below.

See Photos of Cardi B, Quavo and More on the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards Red Carpet

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