Cardi B and Theodora: From Sex Work to Power

Cardi B and Empress Theodora have lived parallel lives a millennium and a half apart. Both rose from abject poverty to the upper echelons of society through their strong will and ability to ensnare male devotees. Today, one is known as one of the most powerful queens of her time, and the other has only recently been crowned the queen of Rap. Their stories teach us about how women have achieved power, and offer a lesson on how to achieve advancement today.

Theodora was born poor and began performing on the stage with her sisters after the death of their father. Procopius, a contemporary author, and no friend to Theodora, described that “As soon as she reached puberty and was ripe enough, she joined the women on stage and became a call girl in her own right.” She “soon became a star feature of the show” and attracted many male admirers. She then harnessed her sexuality and leaped from stage to the palace. Soon, she drew the attention of Justinian I and married him. There was no doubt that Justinian appreciated her sexuality and “especially quick and biting wit,” for she had little money and no standing, qualities usually desired in royal marriages.

Cardi B, born in New York City as Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, had an upbringing that paralleled Theodora’s early years. Cardi B grew up poor and eventually began working as a stripper to support herself.  She also utilized her relationships with men to promote her goals. She reflected that “ever since I started using guys, I feel so much better about myself. I feel so damn powerful.” One of her male clients bought her a pair of Christian Louboutins, which she then used as inspiration for her breakout single, Bodak Yellow, which peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Cardi B leveraged her sexuality to support herself and eventually launch herself into stardom.

These two women are united by their willingness to manipulate men using sexuality and their success transforming this influence into real power. Neither felt embarrassment at taking advantage of men to advance themselves. Theodora had “no shame at all,” and Cardi B has openly shared her drive to get her music out through whatever means. They claimed their agency in promoting themselves.

Sexuality may have enabled both of them to increase their social standing and wealth, but it also attracted detractors intent on bringing both women down. Theodora faced the brutal criticisms of Procopius, a scholar and historian who attacked Theodora as a demon with unnatural sexual predilections intent on destruction. Cardi B also faced attacks that targeted her humble beginnings from another rapper, who called her “an illiterate, untalented rat.” As both women gained power, people saw fit to jab at their previous position in society.

Together, they demonstrate how women throughout recorded history have overcome gender and societal barriers to achieve independent power. They offer a lesson on how women can achieve independence today: a rejection of societal norms and the use of people with power.

Sex work remains a stigmatized profession, but both women found success by excelling in society despite the social stigma of their past work. By putting themselves in positions where they traditionally would not have been welcome, they will challenge the limitations placed on them and hopefully forward all of womankind.

The other lesson they teach women today is that being a leech can take you far. Both play with the affections of men to achieve some equality with them. Theodora rules alongside Justinian and Cardi B earns enough to buy as many shoes as she wants. Neither of these women could have achieved what they did without creating relationships with men, then using them for money and position.

The historical lesson to be learned from Theodora and Cardi B is that not much has changed in 1,500 years. We may have Twitter feuds instead of secret histories and strip clubs instead of brothels, but the techniques women can use to gain power remain the same. The personal lesson is that women can find advancement in traditionally ostracized industries with a lot of skill and a little luck, especially if they use a man’s money along the way.