Nicki Minaj Reflects on Marriage Challenges with Kenneth Petty After Son’s Birth

In a recent interview, Nicki Minaj opened up about the challenges she faced in her marriage to Kenneth Petty following the birth of their son.

The “Barbie World” rapper, who welcomed her baby boy in September 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, shared that their relationship became “testy” during their son’s infancy. In the December 2023 cover story for Vogue, Minaj revealed that they navigated the early stages of parenthood without much assistance, except for a few visits from a grandparent.

Admitting that things became tense between them, she said, “Because of our history, I think we knew we’d get past it. But there’s no such thing as confidence in parenthood.” Minaj expressed her wish for someone to have conveyed the anxiety that comes with parenting, acknowledging that it doesn’t fade away but intensifies over time. She added, “So often you think: I don’t know how to do this!”

Minaj, born Onika Tanya Maraj, and Petty initially met in the ’90s while attending the same high school in New York City. After losing touch for several years, they reconnected in late 2018 and exchanged vows in October 2019.

The rapper, now 40, announced her pregnancy on Instagram in July 2020, sharing a photo of herself cradling her baby bump. The couple has kept their son’s name private, referring to him as “Papa Bear.”

In the Vogue article, Minaj also discussed parenting choices, including the decision not to allow their son to consume sweets or juice due to health concerns prevalent in their community, such as diabetes.

The interview sheds light on the complexities of balancing marriage and parenthood, offering a glimpse into the personal challenges faced by the renowned rapper and her husband.