Ignoring a celebrity’s history is something many have done with artists ranging from Kanye West to Zach Bryan, who have done questionable things in the past, yet still produce music enjoyed by many. However, for someone like Nicki Minaj, who’s recently become public about her support for President Donald Trump and spoke at Turning Point USA — a conservative youth advocacy program — there has been a sense of betrayal among fans that has turned into a new movement: “Rip Nicki.” Minaj’s cancellation is not simply another example of an artist making an error or saying something wrong, but rather indicates how artists have used their supporters for fame and wealth, yet take no actual consideration of them. As Minaj’s fans come from diverse backgrounds, her outspoken rhetoric has aligned with the rhetoric of the right that is oppressive to various minority groups.
If you’ve ever been at a party or simply listened to top hits from the early 2000s, you have undoubtedly heard some of Minaj’s music. Why? Her music is all about empowerment, self-expression and being your true self. This is why she was admired by fans of all backgrounds, especially those who felt isolated because of their race, gender or sexuality. She celebrated these differences through her songs like “Fly,” “Feeling Myself,” “Chun-Li” and, probably most recognizable, “Starships.” Each of these songs celebrates self-expression and confidence, allowing fans to feel included and seen by a well-known artist.
However, when fans witnessed Minaj attend such a massive event for conservative thought and opinions and say mantras like “boys, be boys,” it feels antithetical to what her songs preach, seeing as she was a vocal advocate of the LGBTQ+ community. This “boys, be boys” mantra is something spread by many conservatives to establish typical gender norms and ideology, and ultimately hurts the LGBTQ+ community. When fans that identify with this community witness their favorite artist repeating these sentiments, it damages Minaj’s credibility and likability among fans. They feel antagonized and used simply for Minaj to gain success, because ultimately, her fans from these communities are the reason she became so successful.
Most people on the left of the political spectrum, with good intent, urge celebrities and influencers to speak out about social issues in America (ranging from Black Lives Matter, Palestine and recently, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids). However, the results of these celebrities speaking out about these issues usually land flat, feel artificial and don’t do anything but enable cancel culture. However, with Nicki Minaj — someone who’s an expected proponent of minority rights — it is upsetting to fans to see her political support not align with her fan base.
Nicki Minaj is in a bad spot in her career right now due to her outspokenness at the Turning Point event, and we are already seeing people stop listening to her and post with the hashtag “Rip Nicki.” This move by Minaj to solidify a relationship with Trump feels selfish, as people suspect that her motive was gaining U.S. citizenship and earning a “Trump Gold Card.” These cards are a pay-to-play mechanism where rich foreign-born people can pay to become a U.S. citizen, another policy of Trump’s that continues to favor the wealthy.
Moreover, as America becomes continuously polarized, it will be difficult for her to bounce back, especially because of cancel culture’s strong hold in American social and political culture. For example, Kanye West, who has been unable to come back from his antisemitic remarks and has ultimately not released music since 2022. Minaj’s career could be revived, but she has lost a great deal of trust from her fans, so it will take genuine effort on her part to show she truly supports and advocates for her fans’ rights.
Anthony Korolos, FCRH ’29, is a political science and international political economy double major with a minor in French from Charlotte, North Carolina.
