I generally don’t care for Nicki Minaj. There was a brief time—when she opened for Britney Spears—that I appreciated her music but her persona off-stage is just a massive turn off. That being said, her tenure on American Idol so far is actually winning me over. Frankly, I started watching the show again strictly for Mariah Carey but I find myself agreeing with Nicki’s criticisms a lot. I don’t think I’d consider myself a “barb” though.
But enough about me, let’s focus on Minaj’s made-under cover for April’s Elle. I would say this is a departure for Minaj but since American Idol has started, her style has matured incredibly. Besides her signature pink lipstick, she’s forgone the crazy colored wigs and outlandish outfits for more flattering pieces, which totally elevate her look.
We have to talk about her face though. She looks like she’s about to fall asleep after taking too many Klonopin. We also need to discuss the hair. The cover clearly states, “NO WIG!” but I as well as a team of drag queens and wigologists have deduced that that may not be entirely true. This looks exactly like the wigs she wears for American Idol, right down to the fake roots. It’s impossible to tell for sure but one thing is certain: that is not all her hair.
Let’s end on a high note and praise that beautiful Tom Ford leather jacket! I’d love to see her in more looks like this and hopefully she doesn’t revert back to pink wigs and stuffed animal dresses after American Idol ends. The April issue of Elle hits news stands on March 26th.
PHOTOS | THOMAS WHITESIDE FOR ELLE