Nicki Minaj has announced the cast for her forthcoming comedy series, Nicki, which portrays the rapper’s life growing up in Queens, New York. The program is slated to air next year on ABC Family, which is planning to change its name to Freeform January 12.
Ariana Neal was selected to play the lead role. Minaj reportedly went on a nationwide search to find the actress to play herself. Neal starred as Oscar Grant’s daughter, Tatiana, in 2013’s Fruitvale Station alongside Michael B. Jordan and Melonie Diaz.
“I literally cried watching her taped audition,” Minaj writes on Instagram. “I demanded to meet her! Sat in a room with her teaching her how to rap by doing a beat on the table & forcing her to stay on beat! Lol. Then pulled out all the attitude she had in her lil body. Haha! She’s tough! And so sweet & cute. #ArianaNeal #LilNicki Welcome to the family lil lady bug!”
Minaj also posted an image of the press release for the show, which states that Whoopi Goldberg will appear in the show as Miss Martha, the family’s neighbor. Selita Ebanks will play Grace, Minaj’s mother. Wesley Jonathan is cast as Vincent, Minaj’s father and McCarrie McCausland will portray Minaj’s older brother, Jaylen.
Minaj will serve as executive producer for the show and is slated to make guest appearances.
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If ABC greenlights this shit after what you brother is alleged to have done, theyll feel the wrath of a whole lot of bullshit.
Sounds super wack
Sorry I’m not watching about a girl who I know grew up to be a mean girl and has an alleged rapist brother.
I don’t get it.. The pink print sold less than a million copies world wide, who are they expecting to watch this? I know it was 3 million with streams or whatever but that’s still not so good, not good enough for a show about your childhood. I like Nicki alot, she gets Bizzy on the mic, this just seems really risky.
Who is going to play the 12 year old that Jelani was messing with…keep it real Nikki nobody gives a shyt about your “fake” or “real life”….
Really!!! they really gave this broad a show!!! She had to top somebody off good
I give this 5 episodes before its off the air. (i think thats still to much.)
I love u so much Nicki. But I think it’s a bit too soon for this.. This is weird. Ur not a legend as yet and u certainly have not died. I think this is a bit much.