Nicki Minaj Walks the Path to Stardom in E! Special [Video]

Nicki Minaj’s rise to superstardom was not an easy road. The Pink Friday raptress shares her inspiring journey—from working at Red Lobster to becoming the reigning queen of hip-hop—during a one-hour special on E!

A determined Nicki, born Onika Tanya Maraj, moved from Trinidad to New York at a young age and studied theater at LaGuardia High School of Music and Art before pursuing a career in rap and eventually getting signed to Young Money by Lil Wayne.

Follow along as the eccentric star speaks about growing up poor and seeing her family struggle, the fifth grade teacher who “changed her life,” stealing her dad’s car before she got her license, and how Lil Wayne almost cut her verse from “BedRock.”

The show includes commentary from her parents and childhood friends, along with Lil Wayne, Swizz Beatz, DJ Clue, and Laurieann Gibson.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3