Cardi B dines with soccer star as ex calls him absent dad
Cardi dines with soccer star Maduka Okoye in Italy as his ex Jelicia Westhoff labels him an absent father. The model says Okoye does not call or see their 3-year-old son, and stressed her anger is not about Cardi B but about the goalkeeper going out in public while allegedly neglecting his child.
Key Takeaways
- Cardi B and goalkeeper Maduka Okoye were filmed dining together at Gio's at the St. Regis in Italy, per video obtained by TMZ.
- Okoye's ex Jelicia Westhoff accused him of being an absent father to their son, Isaiah Emil Jr. Okoye.
- Westhoff said Okoye is too “busy punishing his mother and being a baddie on social media” to call or see their child.
- In a statement to Page Six, Westhoff said she has “nothing against” Cardi and focused her criticism on Okoye's parenting.
- Page Six said it reached out to reps for Okoye and Cardi and did not immediately hear back.
Who was Cardi B seen dining with in Italy?
The Grammy-winning rapper, 33, whose real name is Belcalis Almánzar, was spotted grabbing a bite with professional soccer goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, 26. According to Page Six, video obtained by TMZ shows the pair at Gio's restaurant at the St. Regis with a group of other men.
Cardi wore a plunging turquoise dress. The two sat next to each other and appeared to be deep in conversation, with no public displays of affection reported. The outing quickly became a flashpoint in celebrity breaking news after Okoye's personal life collided with the sighting.
What did Maduka Okoye's ex claim about fatherhood?
Westhoff, a model, posted and later deleted Instagram Stories accusing Okoye of embarrassing her and their son. Screenshots shared online quoted her saying she “Lied about what YOU did to me, so you Could continue YOUR career,” and that he does not take care of his “1 and only SON.”
She claimed Okoye does not call or see Isaiah, now 3, because he is too “busy punishing his mother and being a baddie on social media.” Westhoff also alleged Okoye did not visit when their son was hospitalized multiple times last December, including intensive care.
She further alleged that Okoye cheated on her with both men and women and allegedly physically abused her. Those claims have not been independently confirmed in the reporting, and Okoye has not publicly responded.
In an exclusive statement to Page Six, Westhoff said she has “nothing against” Cardi. “[It’s] about you going out with any woman in public knowing that you don’t take care of your child,” she said.
Have Cardi B and Maduka Okoye been linked before?
Earlier this month, the pair sparked dating rumors at the Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture show during Paris Fashion Week, where they sat side by side. Social media buzzed after video showed Okoye taking Cardi's hand to help her to her seat, and they were later seen in a flirty conversation on a Paris restaurant terrace.
Cardi recently split from NFL free agent Stefon Diggs. The two dated on and off since 2024 and welcomed a son last November. She also shares three children with estranged husband Offset. As of Page Six's report, neither Okoye's nor Cardi's representatives had immediately commented on the Italy dinner or Westhoff's accusations.