Cardi B's love for the dark and twisted world of the Netflix series You has reached new heights, with her recent cameo in the show's fifth and final season. Fans of the show know that it revolves around Joe Goldberg, a charming but deadly serial killer, played by Penn Badgley. Cardi B, a long-time admirer of the show, has been vocal about her fascination with Joe, even tweeting about him and the series over the years.
In season 5, Cardi B's presence is felt in a unique way. While she doesn't appear physically in the series, her tweets are featured prominently, connecting her to the show's universe. In episode 7, titled “#JoeGoldberg,” Joe, after an accidental live-streamed murder, turns to Maddie Lockwood for crisis management. His emotional plea goes viral, catching the attention of Cardi B herself. She tweets, “when there are allegations but he's a 10 #JoeGoldberg,” which is included in a montage of social media reactions.
As the series progresses, Cardi B's tweets continue to resonate with the audience. In the series finale, she tweets again, “He WAS a 10 now he's 2 inches #JoeGoldberg,” referencing Joe's capture in a humorous twist that fans have come to expect from her online persona. This playful engagement with the character shows how deeply Cardi B has embraced the show's themes, even if her initial hopes for a physical cameo in season 4 did not materialize.
Back in 2021, Cardi pitched herself for a cameo, tweeting, “So, it's episode 1 and I'm at Paris Fashion Week shutting it down! I turn around and there stands YOU,” tagging Netflix in her request. Although that specific vision never came to fruition, her song “I Like It” was featured in the season 4 premiere, playing during a scene where Joe is gruesomely chopping up a body. Cardi B even collaborated with Netflix to create a reaction video to that scene, expressing her conflicted admiration for Joe. “Nobody could tell me nothing about Joe. I don't care,” she stated in the video. “Like I'm a feminist, but it's like, Joe is kinda strong.”
The final season of You has also drawn attention for its exploration of Joe's character and the culmination of his violent journey. Over the course of five seasons, Joe has racked up a staggering kill count, with a total of 22 murders. His first on-screen kill was Benji Ashby, Beck's ex-boyfriend, whom he poisoned with a fatal dose of peanut oil in season 1. The series has chronicled Joe's transformation from a lovesick stalker to a full-blown serial killer, showcasing his complex motivations and the dark consequences of his actions.
Throughout the series, viewers have witnessed Joe commit heinous acts, including the murders of iconic characters such as Peach Salinger and Love Quinn. Each season has added to his body count, with season 4 being particularly brutal, as he killed eight people alone. This season also introduced a more introspective Joe, who grapples with his dark impulses while trying to maintain a semblance of normalcy.
In the series finale, Joe's fate is finally sealed. After a series of violent confrontations, he finds himself in a precarious situation that ultimately leads to his arrest. The narrative arc wraps up Joe's story, leaving fans to ponder the consequences of his actions and the moral complexities of his character. Showrunners have explained that Joe's ending was designed to reflect the consequences of his choices, emphasizing that he ultimately got what he deserved.
As the show concludes, Cardi B's involvement serves as a cultural touchstone, bridging the gap between the show's fictional world and the real-life fascination with its characters. Her tweets have become a part of the You experience, showcasing how social media can enhance fan engagement and create a dialogue around a series that has captivated audiences for years.
In the end, You has not only captivated audiences with its thrilling plot and complex characters but has also sparked discussions about morality, love, and the darker sides of human nature. Cardi B's playful interactions with the series highlight the unique relationship between fans and the content they love, proving that even in the darkest of narratives, there’s room for humor and connection.
