Nicki Minaj Casts Ariana Neal as Her Young Self in New Show!

Nicki Minaj has revealed the casting for her upcoming ABC Family/Freeform scripted comedy series Nicki!

Young actress Ariana Neal will be playing the title role, inspired by Nicki in her early years before becoming a superstar. Selita Ebanks will be playing Grace, Nicki’s mom; Wesley Jonathan will play her father; and McCarrie McCausland will player her brother.

Whoopi Goldberg is set to guest star as Nicki’s neighbor, Miss Martha.

“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!” Nicki wrote on Instagram.