Nicki Minaj Reveals Actress to Play Her in New ABC Family Comedy
— -- Nicki Minaj has found the young actress to portray her in the forthcoming ABC Family comedy, "Nicki," based on the rapper's life growing up in Queens, New York.
The 32-year-old rapper announced the news Friday on Instagram by posting a picture of the actress, Ariana Neal.
"I literally cried watching her taped audition," Minaj wrote as a caption. "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."
This isn't the first acting role for the young actress. According to IMDB, Neal, 11, has been acting since she was 3. She's also had roles in the Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart comedy, "Get Hard," along with the Michael B. Jordan-led drama, "Fruitvale Station."
Neal will join other actors starring in "Nicki," including Selita Ebanks, Wesley Jonathan and McCarrie McCausland. Whoopi Goldberg is also set to guest star.
The half-hour comedy series, which is being executive produced by Minaj, will follow the rapper's early life as she moved from Trinidad to the U.S. with her family in the early 1990s.
