Nicki Minaj is heading back to our television screens. The Queens rapper will be a guest judge on “Rupaul’s Drag Race” season 12 premiere.
“Welcome to the Main Stage of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race!’ I’m Nicki Minaj, and I pledge allegiance to the drag!” Minaj said in the promotional video on Instagram. She is also praising different contestants in the video, including one that she says looked “like a Barbie out of the box.”
“The best word to describe season 12 is ‘OVANESS!’” RuPaul exclusively told EW. “Our producers have come up with twisted, outrageous challenges that raise the bar for all competition of reality. Our celebrity guest judges are truly legendary. And this cast of queens is, dare I say, the most talented we’ve ever had. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, a fresh crop of queens arrives and blows our minds all over again.”
Minaj has been on a mini hiatus. Last night (Jan. 30), she made her first public appearance in over a month. She hosted a Super Bowl week party at Mr. Jones nightclub in Miami. The 10-time Grammy nominee had her husband by her side as she turned up with friends.
Her last public appearance was back in December when she was honored at the Billboard Women in Music Awards. During her acceptance speech, Minaj took the time to pay tribute to the late Juice WLRD.
“I recently had the pleasure of working and touring with Juice WRLD,” she began. “I had a great conversation with him one day and while we walked to the stage he held my hand and told me to stay calm and to pray… and in that moment with him, I actually did feel calm.” She didn’t feel comfortable talking about herself when “someone so important to our culture just died.”
“Looking back now, I wish I did something differently or said something to help,” she continued. “He was honest and pure about what he felt and that inspired me.”
Season 12 of “Rupaul’s Drag Race” premieres Feb. 28 on VH1 at 8 p.m.