Nicki Minaj’s Wildest and Most Controversial Moments: From Her Endorsement of ‘Handsome’ Donald Trump to Her Marriage to Kenneth Petty and More

Nicki Minaj sparked another wave of backlash when she called out Miley Cyrus at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards.

During her acceptance speech for Best Hip Hop Video, she confronted the “Flowers” hitmaker, who was hosting the awards show.

“And now back to this b—- that had a lot to say about me the other day in the press – Miley, what’s good?” she said on stage.

Before the event, Cyrus told The New York Times the rapper was “not too kind” amid her feud with Taylor Swift.

“It’s not very polite. I think there’s a way you speak to people with openness and love,” she added. “You don’t have to start this pop star against pop star war. It became Nicki Minaj and Taylor in a fight, so now the story isn’t even on what you wanted it to be about. Now you’ve just given E! News ‘Catfight! Taylor and Nicki Go at It.'”

Minaj kept herself firmly in the spotlight for the wrong reasons when she delivered a performance that depicted exorcism at the 2012 Grammy Awards.

In response to the rapper’s bizarre Grammy number, Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, asked whether the Recording Academy would have allowed a performance that disparages other religions.

“It’s bad enough that Catholics have to fight for their rights vis-a-vis a hostile administration in Washington without also having to fend off attacks in the entertainment industry,” he wrote. “The net effect, however, will only embolden Catholics, as well as their friends in other faith communities.”

At the time, Minaj also walked the red carpet with an older man dressed as a Catholic bishop.

For years, Minaj has repeatedly dissed the Recording Academy over the nominations, snubs and changes to award categories.

She called out the award-giving body in 2020, eight years after her Best New Artist snub.

“Never forget the Grammys didn’t give me my best new artist award when I had 7 songs simultaneously charting on Billboard & bigger first week than any female rapper in the last decade—went on to inspire a generation,” she wrote. “They gave it to the white man Bon Iver. #PinkFriday.”

Two years later, she criticized the category change after her single “Super Freaky Girl” was moved to the pop category, where it had “less of a chance” to win.

Then, in 2025, she returned the snub to the Recording Academy by turning down a board offer.

Minaj wore one of her viral outfits to the 2016 Met Gala. Her ensemble featured a bondage-like get-up, which nearly bared her assets. The number boasted buckles with rhinestones, fastened around different parts of her body.

Several news outlets included her among their worst-dressed stars, with one branding it “ill-fitting.”

Beyond her fashion choices, Minaj has also been blasted over her music.

In a resurfaced 2024 clip, Charlie Kirk targeted the rapper and other artists for “glorifying wet female genitalia.” He also referenced Cardi B‘s “WAP” at the time.

Celebrities and fans berated Minaj over her marriage to Kenneth Petty, a registered s– offender in New York, when they wed in 2019. He also pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in the killing Lamont Robinson in 2002.

Despite the legal issues, Minaj has repeatedly defended Petty and their relationship.

“When a person is with a n—- that loved them before they had a dime in their pocket? How do you not understand that? How do you not understand happiness vs clout?” she shared in an episode of her “Queen Radio” podcast in July 2019.

Despite Tekashi 6ix9ine‘s child s– case and accusations of domestic violence, Minaj collaborated with the rapper and Murda Beats for the former’s music video for “Fefe.”

Fans immediately slammed Minaj over the collaboration given the 29-year-old rapper’s criminal history.

In a series of tweets on X, Minaj made several false claims about the COVID-19 vaccine amid the pandemic.

“My cousin in Trinidad won’t get the vaccine cuz his friend got it & became impotent,” one of her tweets read.

She added, “His testicles became swollen. His friend was weeks away from getting married, now the girl called off the wedding. So just pray on it & make sure you’re comfortable with ur decision, not bullied.”

Several medical professionals came forward to reject Minaj’s claims, reminding everyone of the importance of getting the shots amid the health crisis.

Minaj attracted fresh criticism when she made a surprise appearance at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest in December 2025.

During the event at the Phoenix Convention Center, she told the crowd, “Dear young men, you have amazing role models like our handsome, dashing president [Donald Trump]. And you have amazing role models like the assassin, J.D. Vance.”

She continued, “This administration is full of people with heart and soul, and they make me proud of them. Our vice president, he makes me … well, I love both of them. Both of them have a very uncanny ability to be someone that you relate to.”

Her statement caused an uneasy silence despite Erika Kirk‘s attempt to defend the rapper, with the crowd visibly shaken by her words.