written by: Dione M. Davis
Just when you think you have seen it all, Nicki Minaj cleverly pulls another trick out of her magic bag. She magnificently becomes the first rapper to grace the cover of Marie Claire Magazine in the August issue, once again giving us another layer of who the real Nicki Minaj is. Wearing a Tartan bejeweled Fausto Puglisi dress, she appears confident and beautiful. “In a lot of ways, I finally feel like I’ve come alive. I’ve finally been able to tap into who I am,” she said. The photo shoot included pieces from designers LaQuan Smith, Just Cavalli and Bess. The Trinidadian born rapper has literally become a household name and brand gaining fans of all ages. While attending Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts, she set a standard for herself that she may not be far from achieving. “By the time I’m 19, I’m going to be Halle Berry status,” she said.
“Barbz” as she affectionately refers to her cult-like followers, who mimic her Barbie appearance, are a mix of loyal fans from her singing days on MySpace to the ones in television land who welcomed her with open arms when she became a judge on American Idol. This platform proved to be the safe place for Nicki to put down her larger than life exaggerated characters, giving the cameras a peek at a new face many had not seen before. The Queens, New York raised tough girl let go of her exterior, showing the world her softer side. “American Idol made me seem more relatable. It’s cracked that shell for my image. I’ve become something bigger than Nicki Minaj,” she said.
In her interview with Marie Claire, she opens up about the mommy itch she has and becoming the type of parent she would like to be. Acting appears to take the forefront soon as she prepares to work with Hollywood A-listers. After music, two lipsticks with M.A.C Cosmetics, a fragrance and American Idol, what’s next? In October Ms. Minaj plans to launch her clothing line at Kmart. “I’ve kind of become the poster child for doing the things that no one expects, said Minaj. Go pick up an issue and judge the transformation yourself. The August issue of Marie Claire is available on newsstands now.
