Nicki Minaj just shook the United Nations — and not with a new music video. The self-proclaimed “queen of rap” made waves this week not with beats or bars, but with a bold stance on something far more serious: the persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
The 42-year-old rap icon spoke at a panel hosted at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, using her massive global platform to spotlight violence that, until now, rarely breaks into pop culture headlines. Wearing her trademark confidence, Minaj didn’t mince words as she thanked former President Donald Trump for prioritizing the issue and called for urgent action to defend religious freedom around the world.
Yes, that Nicki Minaj — the chart-topping, Met Gala-stunning, TikTok-dominating superstar — is now joining forces with diplomats and political figures to bring attention to what many are calling a humanitarian crisis.
Her appearance at the U.N. followed a string of public comments she’s made in support of religious liberty. She posted screenshots of Trump’s Truth Social messages highlighting the crisis in Nigeria, wrote heartfelt captions about the freedom to worship, and emphasized that no one should be targeted for their faith — anywhere. This comes after the Trump administration designated Nigeria a “country of particular concern,” pointing to years of targeted violence against Christian communities.
For Minaj, this wasn’t just a one-off event. She accepted an invitation from Ambassador Mike Waltz to continue the conversation, later appearing alongside Waltz and Fox News anchor Harris Faulkner to address the issue more deeply.
Waltz himself called the pairing “unlikely” but powerful — pointing out that Minaj’s global following and Trump’s leadership could bring this topic to an entirely new audience.
It’s a fascinating turn for an artist known for risqué lyrics and boundary-pushing visuals. But Minaj has never been afraid to break the mold. And lately, that includes breaking out of the entertainment bubble to talk about religious violence, personal convictions, and political change.
The rapper, who once supported Democrats like Obama and Clinton, has increasingly shown signs of realignment, especially when it comes to religious values and global human rights. Though she’s been critical of Trump in the past — especially over immigration — she hasn’t let past disagreements stop her from acknowledging what she now sees as decisive action on an issue close to her heart.
And just in case anyone thought this was strictly business, Minaj’s social media remains its own circus. She reposted Trump’s granddaughter dancing to “Beez in the Trap” on TikTok, joked about the White House joining in the trend, and gave her loyal fanbase — the Barbz — a shoutout promising “unlimited backstage GAG CITY FOR LIFE.”
From the Billboard charts to the halls of the United Nations, Nicki Minaj continues to prove she plays by no one’s rules but her own. And if the message is loud, clear, and packed with glitter — well, that’s just how she does diplomacy.
