Nicki Minajtook to InstagramFriday to reveal who will portray her family in the upcoming Freeform series Nicki, a sitcom about the rapperschildhood growing up in Queens in the 1990s. Fruitvale Stations Ariana Neal plays young Nicki on the show, while model Selita Ebanks and City Guys actor Wesley Jonathan were cast as Minajs parents. Whoopi Goldberg features in a guest-starring role as the Minajs neighbor Miss Martha. Minaj, who serves as the shows executive producer, will also appear on Nicki occasionally in an unspecified role.
I am honored and excited to announce that Ive literally handpicked the main characters of my scripted series Nicki, Minaj wrote of her Freeform nABC Family show. Ive been going to the auditions falling in love with some incredible people. Looking forward to unveiling this groundbreaking new show for you guys in 2016.
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Director Tim Story will helm the Nicki pilot, which films this month in Queens. Kate Angelo (Sex Tape, The Back-Up Plan) penned the series pilot. Actor McCarrie McCausland also plays Nickis older brother Jaylen on the series. Nicki has not yet set its premiere date.
In another Instagram post, Minaj opened up about why she chose Neal to portray young Nicki. I literally cried watching her taped audition. I demanded to meet her, the rapper wrote. 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! Shes tough! And so sweet andcute.
I literally cried watching her taped audition. 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! Shes tough! And so sweet & cute. #ArianaNeal #LilNicki Welcome to the family lil lady bug! #ABCFamily #Freeform #Nicki