Latest news with #Minaj
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Nicki Minaj opens up about being a mother in new interview: ‘I had to work to support my family..'
Nicki Minaj has firmly established herself as one of the most influential and powerful figures in music today. From humble beginnings to being crowned by Billboard as the best rapper of all time this year, Minaj's rise to superstardom has been nothing short of remarkable. But behind the glitter and fame, the rapper reveals in a new interview just how much she had to sacrifice, especially when it came to motherhood and living a 'normal' life. A post shared by Barbie (@nickiminaj) Reflecting on her relentless drive, Minaj said, 'I was one of those little girls who could understand if an adult was stupid. The lack of discipline around me made me want to be the opposite. Then, I'm not always. But I believe in working hard to get results. I had to earn everything, I had nothing and I wanted it more than the others. And when my friends drank or smoked weed or wanted to go to clubs, I went, yes, but not so often. Everyone said I had a 'natural high'. I was like that: happy but determined. I told people: 'I can do it'. Almost as if I knew it.' A post shared by Barbie (@nickiminaj) This early focus and determination propelled her forward, but it came at a cost. When asked about what she gave up to reach the peak of her career, Nicki Minaj did not shy away from discussing the sacrifices surrounding motherhood. 'As a woman, I put off becoming a mother. A lot of women in the industry, especially older than me, haven't had children. Some don't regret it, but others do. I put it off. And then I didn't go to every Thanksgiving, Christmas or birthday party because I had to work to support my family. I think the price was not having a 'normal' life. Today, things are different, because I can give my son what I couldn't have, but there are things I would like to ensure for him and that I have to figure out how to give him. When we go out, for example, I have to worry about someone taking pictures of him. So every day I have to decide: is it more important to go for a walk with my son or to avoid him being photographed?' A post shared by Barbie (@nickiminaj) Minaj's story is also a testament to grit and merit in an industry where nepotism often reigns. She rose to superstardom on sheer talent and a relentless work ethic — no silver spoon in sight. Reflecting on her journey and the criticisms she has faced, 'I have heard every possible criticism about me and I have thought about giving up many times. Thank goodness I didn't. I hope that my story can be an inspiration, and push children, adults, anyone not to give up.'
See - Sada Elbalad
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Nicki Minaj Shares Why She Doesn't Want to "Rush" into Her Next Album
Yara Sameh Nicki Minaj's last album, "Pink Friday 2", arrived in 2023, and she's laid low for much of 2025. Gracing the cover of Vogue Italia on Tuesday, Minaj opened up about the creative process heading into her next record. While the rapper has a collection of songs she's proud of, she is in no rush to release her next music until the time is right and aligns with her life. 'I've got a bunch of really strong tracks, but I don't want to rush,' she explained. 'I want the record to mean something, both for the fans and for me. I'll never be one of those people who puts out songs just to put them out. I love music. I respect it.' When that time does come, though, she plans on hitting the road once again. 'To experience it all again, as soon as possible. For me, and for the Barbz,' she added. The Pink Friday 2 World Tour earned Minaj the honor of having the highest-grossing rap tour for a woman. Elsewhere in the interview, Minaj revealed that she initially hated how she looked in the viral 'Did I Lie' video, which was born from a CRWN interview in 2018 surrounding the rollout of "Queen" with Elliott Wilson. 'I hate how I look in that video,' she said. 'When people started using it, I thought, 'I'm blocking you all!' Then I gave in — it's actually pretty funny.' The Queens legend has also admitted there have been times when she has wanted to end her music career despite all her success. Despite Minaj being one of the world's best-selling music artists and the best-selling female rapper with over 100 million records sold, the inevitable criticism that comes with being in the spotlight has gotten to her over the years. She said: "I've heard every possible criticism about me. I've thought about quitting so many times. I'm glad I didn't. I hope my story can be an inspiration, and push kids, adults, anyone, not to give up,". The hitmaker is mother to a four-year-old boy, whose name she has not made public, with her husband, Kenneth 'Zoo' Petty. Minaj told how she delayed becoming a mother for the sake of her career and providing for her family members. "As a woman, I put off becoming a mother. A lot of women in the industry, especially older than me, never had children. Some don't regret it, but others do," she said. "I put it off, and I didn't go to every Thanksgiving, every Christmas, or birthday party because I had to work to support my family. I think the price was not having a 'normal' life,". "Things are different now, because I can give my son things I never had, but there are things I want to make sure he has, and I still need to figure out how to give them to him. When we go out, for example, I have to worry that someone will take his picture," the star added. Minaj also spoke about the discipline she received at a young age, saying: "I was one of those kids who could tell when an adult was stupid. The lack of discipline around me made me want to be the opposite. And I'm not always like that." "But I believe in working hard to get what you want. I had to fight for everything. I had nothing, and I wanted it more than anyone else,". Nicki was ambitious from a young age and would tell people she would one day become a star. She said: "And when my friends were drinking, or smoking weed, or trying to hit the clubs, sure, I went too, just not as often. Everyone used to say I had a natural high. That's how I was — happy, but focused. I used to tell people, 'I'm going to make it.' Almost like I already knew." Minaj hasn't made many public appearances this year, but she did pop out at the 2025 Met Gala earlier in May, as the Young Money rapper stunned in a Thom Browne navy pinstripe mermaid dress. 'It reminded me of putting on your Sunday's best and being iconic in your own world,' she told Entertainment Tonight of her attire. "Pink Friday 2" arrived in December 2023. The project debuted atop the Billboard 200 with 228,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. in the week ending December 14, according to Luminate. That figure is the largest week for a rap album by a woman in the 2020s. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies
IOL News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
From rap royalty to super mom: Nicki Minaj's balancing act
Trinidadian rapper Nicki Minaj reveals her journey through fame and family. Image: Instagram Nicki Minaj is the queen of multiple thrones - rap, entrepreneurship and motherhood. The multifaceted mogul has proven time and time again that she is a force to be reckoned with. With a career spanning over a decade, she is known for her many hits and catchy rap flows. The Grammy-nominated rapper has had quite a remarkable career, and she later paused to focus on being a mother. In a recent interview with 'Vogue Italia', Minaj opened up about navigating motherhood and fame, a chapter she's embraced later in her career. After years of dominating the music industry, Minaj took a step back to focus on being a mother to her four-year-old son, whose name has never been made public but is affectionately known as 'Papa Bear'. She shares her son with her husband, Kenneth 'Zoo' Petty. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The 42-year-old rap icon revealed that she prioritised her career and supporting her family before starting one of her own, which led her to delay motherhood until later in life. She said, 'As a woman, I put off becoming a mother. A lot of women in the industry, especially older than me, never had children. Some don't regret it, but others do. I put it off. 'And I didn't go to every Thanksgiving, every Christmas, or birthday party because I had to work to support my family. I think the price was not having a 'normal' life. 'Things are different now, because I can give my son things I never had, but there are things I want to make sure he has, and I still need to figure out how to give them to him.' She added that while her successful career has granted her the ability to provide for her son, as a celebrity mother, she still faces challenges when it comes to protecting her son's privacy, as she consistently has to weigh the importance of spending quality time with him against the risk of him being photographed. 'When we go out, for example, I have to worry about someone photographing it. So every day I have to decide: is it more important to go for a ride with my son or to avoid him being photographed?' Nicki Minaj and her four-year-old son 'Papa Bear'. Image: Instagram The Trinidadian rapper also opened up about the criticism that comes with being in the limelight and how it has affected her over the years in the music industry. In April, she was named 'Best Female Rapper of All-Time' by 'Billboard' based on a comprehensive set of criteria, including chart performance, cultural impact, lyrical skill, longevity, as well as flow.
See - Sada Elbalad
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Nicki Minaj Contemplated Quitting Music Before
Yara Sameh Nicki Minaj has admitted there have been times when she has wanted to end her music career despite all her success. Despite the rapper, 42, being one of the world's best-selling music artists and the best-selling female rapper with over 100 million records sold, the inevitable criticism that comes with being in the spotlight has gotten to her over the years. In conversation with Vogue Italia , Minaj said: "I've heard every possible criticism about me. I've thought about quitting so many times. I'm glad I didn't. I hope my story can be an inspiration, and push kids, adults, anyone, not to give up,". The hitmaker is mother to a four-year-old boy, whose name she has not made public, with her husband, Kenneth 'Zoo' Petty. Minaj told how she delayed becoming a mother for the sake of her career and providing for her family members. "As a woman, I put off becoming a mother. A lot of women in the industry, especially older than me, never had children. Some don't regret it, but others do," she said. "I put it off, and I didn't go to every Thanksgiving, every Christmas, or birthday party because I had to work to support my family. I think the price was not having a 'normal' life,". "Things are different now, because I can give my son things I never had, but there are things I want to make sure he has, and I still need to figure out how to give them to him. When we go out, for example, I have to worry that someone will take his picture," the star added. Minaj also spoke about the discipline she received at a young age, saying: "I was one of those kids who could tell when an adult was stupid. The lack of discipline around me made me want to be the opposite. And I'm not always like that." "But I believe in working hard to get what you want. I had to fight for everything. I had nothing, and I wanted it more than anyone else,". Nicki was ambitious from a young age and would tell people she would one day become a star. She said: "And when my friends were drinking, or smoking weed, or trying to hit the clubs, sure, I went too, just not as often. Everyone used to say I had a natural high. That's how I was — happy, but focused. I used to tell people, 'I'm going to make it.' Almost like I already knew." read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Nicki Minaj Details the ‘Proud Period' That Inspired Her 2025 Met Gala Look
Nicki Minaj walked the carpet at the Met Gala on Monday night (May 5), which is the Queens legend's eighth appearance at the prestigious May fashion event. Minaj stopped on the blue carpet for an interview with Entertainment Tonight, where she explained the inspiration behind her Thom Browne navy pinstripe dress to match the 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style' theme of the night. More from Billboard Met Gala 2025: Best Photos From the Red Carpet Beats Headphones Deals: Save 51% Off the Musician-Loved Brand's Bestselling Models A$AP Rocky Says 'It Was Time' to Reveal Rihanna's Pregnancy at 2025 Met Gala 'Thinking about the tailoring of everything. First of all, Thom Browne is known for his craftsmanship. To me, it represents a proud period of African-Americans,' she said. 'That's what I got out of it when I saw the photos of what it would be about.' Minaj — in her mermaid gown accessorized with a floral bouquet and a gold headband — continued: 'It reminded me of putting on your Sunday's best and being iconic in your own world.' Minaj had another hilarious moment on the blue carpet when interacting with a reporter who shouted, 'Nicki, why are you excited about this one?' The Young Money rapper clapped back with a cheeky response captured by AP: 'Who said I was excited?' Monday was yet another star-studded affair on a rainy night in NYC at the Met Gala, which saw stars such as Dua Lipa, Sabrina Carpenter, Cardi B, Kim Kardashian, Sydney Sweeney, Rihanna, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell, Pusha T, Alicia Keys, Ciara, Doechii, Madonna and many more in attendance. Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams and Anna Wintour served as the co-chairs for the 2025 Met Gala. Minaj has laid low for much of 2025 as the rapper is yet to drop a single this year. The Queen came in at the No. 1 spot on our Best Female Rappers of All-Time list in April. Best of Billboard Kelly Clarkson, Michael Buble, Pentatonix & Train Will Bring Their Holiday Hits to iHeart Christmas Concert Fox Plans NFT Debut With $20 'Masked Singer' Collectibles 14 Things That Changed (or Didn't) at Farm Aid 2021
