The 'Anaconda' hitmaker announced the title of her new sitcom and its cast members via Instagram on Friday, December 18.
- December 19, 2015
AceShowbiz -
Nicki Minaj took to Instagram on Friday, December 18 to reveal the title of her new ABC Family sitcom and its cast members. The scripted series based on Nicki's life story when she was an aspiring rapper moved from Trinidad to Queens in early 1990s is titled "Nicki".
Nicki wrote alongside a screenshot of the cast list, "I am honored and excited to announce that I've literally hand picked the main characters of my scripted series 'Nicki' - #ABCFamily #Freeform - I've 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!"
Ariana Neal ("Get Hard", "Fruitvale Station") will star as young Nicki, Selita Ebanks ("Real Husbands of Hollywood") will play Nicki's mom Grace, Wesley Jonathan ("The Soul Man") will portray her father Vincent, while McCarrie McCausland ("Army Wives", "The Originals") will star as her older brother Jaylen. Whoopi Goldberg will make a guest appearance as Nicki's neighbor Miss Martha.
"Nicki" will film in New York City this winter.
Nicki posted a picture of Ariana singing with a mic on her hand. "I literally cried watching her taped audition," the "Super Bass" rapper wrote, "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! She's tough! And so sweet & cute. #ArianaNeal #LilNicki Welcome to the family lil lady bug! #ABCFamily #Freeform #Nicki."
The "Anaconda" hitmaker then added another picture of the young actress, captioning it, "#ArianaNeal."
