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Home · Beauty

Nicki Minaj Has Always Been A Hair And Makeup MVP And A 'Drag Race' Inspiration

As the rapper makes her "Drag Race" debut, we look at how her style has influenced the queens.
15 Photos That Prove That Nicki Minaj Is A ‘Drag Race’ Beauty Inspiration
Getty Images
By Shalwah Evans · Updated December 6, 2020

Tonight is the premiere of season 12 of RuPaul’s Drag Race and we’re ready to start our engines, as Nicki Minaj pledges allegiance to the drag as a guest judge. The first time we heard Nicki on a track, we knew she was a vibe. Her animated quips quickly became a signature part of her sound, and soon after, an accompanying look followed.

She leaves it all on the stage as if she were lip syncing for her life, marrying her unapologetic rap lyrics with moves better than a perfectly executed death-drop. Her colorful lace front wigs are endless, her makeup is creative, she serves bawdy with no padding, and sis knows a thing or two about reading someone. She’s everything we want in a drag queen.

Article continues after video.

We wouldn’t be surprised if Mrs. Petty pulled a Violet Chachki-like outfit change on the red carpet, or took off her wig only to reveal another dope wig underneath. If the category is Barbie realness, she’s getting tens across the board. Whether she’s twerking the runway down, rocking 35 inches (of hair that is), or working a full facekini, she serves up the best drag you’ve ever seen from a queen with no tuck.

So as we look forward to tonight’s premiere, we look back at all the times Nicki’s over the top style gave us (and the queens) the creative inspiration we need.

01
Nicki Minaj Is A Drag Queen Inspiration
15 Photos That Prove That Nicki Minaj Is A ‘Drag Race’ Beauty Inspiration
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
02
Nicki Minaj Is A Drag Queen Inspiration
15 Photos That Prove That Nicki Minaj Is A ‘Drag Race’ Beauty Inspiration
Christian Vierig/Getty Images
03
Nicki Minaj Is A Drag Queen Inspiration
15 Photos That Prove That Nicki Minaj Is A ‘Drag Race’ Beauty Inspiration
Rob Kim/FilmMagic
04
Nicki Minaj Is A Drag Queen Inspiration
15 Photos That Prove That Nicki Minaj Is A ‘Drag Race’ Beauty Inspiration
James Devaney/GC Images
05
Nicki Minaj Is A Drag Queen Inspiration
15 Photos That Prove That Nicki Minaj Is A ‘Drag Race’ Beauty Inspiration
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
06
Nicki Minaj Is A Drag Queen Inspiration
15 Photos That Prove That Nicki Minaj Is A ‘Drag Race’ Beauty Inspiration
Jacopo Raule/Getty Images
07
Nicki Minaj Is A Drag Queen Inspiration
15 Photos That Prove That Nicki Minaj Is A ‘Drag Race’ Beauty Inspiration
Anthony Harvey/Getty Images
08
Nicki Minaj Is A Drag Queen Inspiration
15 Photos That Prove That Nicki Minaj Is A ‘Drag Race’ Beauty Inspiration
Kevin Mazur/WireImage
09
Nicki Minaj Is A Drag Queen Inspiration
15 Photos That Prove That Nicki Minaj Is A ‘Drag Race’ Beauty Inspiration
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
10
Nicki Minaj Is A Drag Queen Inspiration
15 Photos That Prove That Nicki Minaj Is A ‘Drag Race’ Beauty Inspiration
Gregg DeGuire/WireImage
11
Nicki Minaj Is A Drag Queen Inspiration
15 Photos That Prove That Nicki Minaj Is A ‘Drag Race’ Beauty Inspiration
Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images)
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Nicki Minaj Is A Drag Queen Inspiration
15 Photos That Prove That Nicki Minaj Is A ‘Drag Race’ Beauty Inspiration
Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage
13
Nicki Minaj Is A Drag Queen Inspiration
15 Photos That Prove That Nicki Minaj Is A ‘Drag Race’ Beauty Inspiration
Jason Merritt/Getty Images
14
Nicki Minaj Is A Drag Queen Inspiration
15 Photos That Prove That Nicki Minaj Is A ‘Drag Race’ Beauty Inspiration
Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images
15
Nicki Minaj Is A Drag Queen Inspiration
15 Photos That Prove That Nicki Minaj Is A ‘Drag Race’ Beauty Inspiration
Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
TOPICS:  celebrity Drag Race Entertainment Kenneth Petty love marriage Nicki Minaj Nicki Minaj Rupauls Drag Race RuPaul Rupauls Drag Race Rupauls Drag Race Season 12
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