Nicki Minaj cried when she discovered the young actress who will play her in a new TV show.
Nicki Minaj
The rapper is working with ABC on a sitcom about her childhood and was thrilled when she first saw 11-year-old Ariana Neal's audition tape as she knew the youngster was the perfect choice to portray her in 'Nicki'.
She wrote on Instagram: "I literally cried watching her taped audition. 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! (sic)"
Nicki previously admitted she has gotten "too involved" with the project, much to her own surprise.
She said: "I am maybe too involved. Two days ago I was in casting. I'm going back tomorrow.
"It has been magical. I didn't even know I had it in me, but I love children so much."
The 'Super Bass' hitmaker is taking inspiration from Chris Rock's 'Everybody Hates Chris' for the show.
She explained: "I narrate this show, like Chris Rock narrates 'Everybody Hates Chris'. It was little differences that made that show stand out. I want to have those nuances.
"My first day, I said to the casting director, 'This will not be a cliched black show.' "
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