Nicki Minaj shuts down New York Times interview over a sexist question

(Image credit: Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Clear Channel)

published 7 October 2015

Nicki Minaj is known for calling people out — despite the press blitz that arises whenever she picks a fight with her fellow pop stars. But while Minaj goes ahead and clarifies why she went after Miley Cyrus at the VMAs in her latest interview with The New York Times Magazine, a much more revealing feud — one that says a lot about the state of entertainment media today — arises.

Here's how it unfolds: the Times' Vanessa Grigoridis is struggling to get Minaj to answer questions when she dips into asking about a beef between Minaj's boyfriend, Meek Mill, and Drake, Lil' Wayne, and Bryan Williams. Minaj replies: "They're men, grown-ass men, it's between them."

Grigoridis asks, "Is there a part of you that thrives on drama, or is it no, just pain and unpleasantness—"

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That's the end of the interview:

"What do the four men you just named have to do with me thriving off drama?" she asked. "Why would you even say that? That's so peculiar. Four grown-ass men are having issues between themselves, and you're asking me do I thrive off drama?"She pointed my way, her extended arm all I could see other than the diamonds glinting in her ears. This wasn't over yet. "That's the typical thing that women do. What did you putting me down right there do for you?" she asked. "Women blame women for things that have nothing to do with them. I really want to know why — as a matter of fact, I don't. Can we move on, do you have anything else to ask?" [The New York Times]

"To put down a woman for something that men do, as if they're children and I'm responsible, has nothing to do with you asking stupid questions, because you know that's not just a stupid question. That's a premeditated thing you just did," Minaj added. She finished by telling Grigoridis, "I don't care to speak to you anymore."

Another feud, or a fair point about how women are covered in the media? Read it all in The New York Times Magazine.

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.