christalcornish's blog

Nicki Minaj Was Once 'Afraid' To Release Pink Friday

The Barbie opens up to YRB about 'fear of failure'; attributes femcee feuds to 'jealousy, insecurity and being broke.'
By James Dinh

Nicki Minaj
Photo: Bill McCay/ WireImage

Her debut, Pink Friday, is one of the year's most anticipated releases, so it's hard to believe there was a time when Nicki Minaj was actually afraid to drop the album. But in an interview with YRB magazine, the Young Money darling opens up about her early fears for the LP's release.

"I was so afraid to put out an album for fear of failure," Minaj tells the magazine. "I wanted to put my album out on Valentine's Day of 2011. And my label was like, 'Are you f---ing crazy?' "

Despite early jitters, Minaj explained that the final product erased any hesitation. "I know that Pink Friday is a classic album. I have never been this proud of anything in my life," Minaj said. "I just think that it's such a dynamic body of work. I'm no longer afraid to drop it. Now, I know it's time."

Known for her features on other hit songs, the Harajuku Barbie has a string of contributors lined up for the LP, including Rihanna, Drake, Kanye West and Eminem. And the lyricist says that the leaked Eminem duet, "Roman's Revenge," had the duo clashing, in a good way.

"We both have our own world, and we're just colliding. ... I want a piece of that Slim Shady world because I feel like it may have subconsciously influenced me."

In addition to sharing her thoughts on Pink Friday, which comes out on November 22, Minaj also gave her two cents on her female peers, possibly referencing Lil' Kim.

"These girls aren't mad at me. They're mad at themselves," Nicki said. "[It's] jealousy, insecurity and being broke. When you haven't capitalized and you see I'm about to capitalize on this sh-- like it's never been done before, then you're mad at yourself."

Will you be buying Pink Friday? Let us know in the comments!

Related Videos

• 'RapFix Live' With Nicki Minaj

Related Photos

• Nicki Minaj's Wildest Looks
• Nicki Minaj On The 'Hottest MCs' Edition Of 'RapFix Live'

Related Artists

• Nicki Minaj

Dominique Swain Donna Feldman Drea de Matteo Drew Barrymore Ehrinn Cummings

Photos | Halle Berry, Mary J. Blige, More At The 6th Annual Black Ball

Halle Berry, Mary J. Blige, More At The 6th Annual Black Ball

Related Artists

• Usher
• Mary J. Blige

Summer Altice Summer Glau Sunny Mabrey Susan Ward Susie Castillo

Gucci Mane Arrested In Atlanta

Rapper, who was released from prison in May, was driving on the wrong side of the road.
By Jayson Rodriguez

Gucci Mane (file)
Photo: Soul Brother/ Getty Images

Gucci Mane was arrested in Atlanta on Tuesday afternoon (November 2) after police discovered the rapper driving his vehicle down the wrong side of the road.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Brick Squad star (real name: Radric Davis) was charged with running a red light or stop sign, damage to government property, obstruction, no license, no proof of insurance and other traffic charges, in addition to driving on the wrong side of the road. Police reportedly had to use pepper spray to get Gucci into custody.

MTV News' request for comment to the Atlanta Police Department was not returned as of press time.

Gucci Mane was released from prison in May after serving six months of a yearlong sentence for a parole violation. The rapper has a history of drug issues and emotional instability following a shooting he was involved with, according to a lawyer who represented him in the past.

The charismatic Atlanta rapper has been in and out of prison over the past few years on a variety of infractions. Gucci was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital following his arrest, the Journal Constitution reported. He's expected to be booked at Fulton County Jail following his release.

Last month, Gucci Mane revealed in an interview that his last stint in jail changed him and he was channeling his experience through his latest album, The Appeal.

Related Artists

• Gucci Mane

Sanaa Lathan Sara Foster Sara Spraker Sarah Gellman Sarah Michelle Gellar

Watch: Mariah Carey, ?Oh Santa!?

Earlier today we got a sneak peek at the music video for Mariah Carey‘s new Xmas single Oh Santa!, the first off her second Xmas album titled Merry Christmas II You (which is availalbe for sale NOW) and right now we get to check out the music video in full: Mariah looks good, y’all. I’m [...]

Molly Sims Monet Mazur Monica Bellucci Monica Keena Monica Potter

Brett Michaels Denies Affair With Miley Cyrus? Mom

Bret Michaels’ camp denies a report the rocker had an affair with Miley Cyrus’ mom, Tish, while she was married to singer Billy Ray Cyrus. “This is someone stirring a pot. This is untrue. He respects the family and worked with Miley and Tish on a professional level,” said Michaels’ rep. Reports claim that Michaels [...]

Vitamin C Vogue Whitney Able Whitney Port Willa Ford

Photos | 2009 American Music Award Nominees

2009 American Music Award Nominees

Related Artists

• Michael Jackson
• Lady Gaga
• Jay-Z
• Taylor Swift
• Beyoncé

Rebecca Romijn Reese Witherspoon Rhona Mitra Rihanna Robin Tunney

Photos | 'Michael Jackson's This Is It' Trailer Frames

'Michael Jackson's This Is It' Trailer Frames

Related Artists

• Michael Jackson

Karen Carreno Karolína Kurková Kasey Chambers Kat Von D Kate Beckinsale

Justin Bieber Greets Excited Fans At L.A. Book Event

'I wanted to, you know, give them my perspective of my life,' Bieber says of why he wrote 'Justin Bieber: First Step 2 Forever.'
By Kelly Marino

Justin Bieber at his book signing on Sunday
Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES — Halloween was a bit more exciting this year for some lucky Justin Bieber fans in Los Angeles. Aside from the traditional trick-or-treating, haunted houses and costume parties, Beliebers were able to celebrate on Sunday by personally meeting the Canadian chart topper.

Following the October 15 release of his autobiography, "Justin Bieber: First Step 2 Forever," the pop sensation paid a visit to the Grove mall Barnes & Noble bookstore to thank his fans for purchasing his first literary release. Over a thousand fans received a limited number of wristbands on Friday, allowing them access to meet the singer, take a picture with him and pick up a signed copy of the book.

As Bieber tunes played over the speakers in a sectioned-off area on the third floor, security took their place and fans of all ages began lining up shortly after 2 p.m. In the spirit of Halloween, some fans arrived in costume, while others just brought screams of excitement and tears in their eyes, as they tried to contain themselves upon meeting the teen star.

The autobiography features over 200 pages of exclusive pictures and personal stories, giving fans an insight into Bieber's world. The book documents the singer's rise from Canadian obscurity to taking over the pop world while sharing stories about his family, his first dating disaster, his love for Xbox and his everyday life.

"I was inspired [to write] this book because there are so many fake books out there about my life, and there are so many other people who are writing about my life, and a lot of it is not true," Bieber explained to MTV News at the event. "So, I wanted to, you know, give them my perspective of my life and, you know, basically how I got here and basically just stuff about what I'm going through."

The book is yet another addition to the ever-growing Bieber franchise. The Biebs will also be taking over retail stores this holiday season with an upcoming line of dolls, an exclusive line of One Less Lonely Girl nail polish, a My World unisex fragrance and an acoustic album. His highly anticipated 3-D flick, "Never Say Never," is due out on Valentine's Day weekend.

Related Artists

• Justin Bieber

Whitney Able Whitney Port Willa Ford Xenia Seeberg Yamila Diaz

Celebrate Wendy O. Williams' Birthday With Bobblehead Doll

What better way to celebrate Wendy O. Williams' 61st birthday on May 28 (if she hadn't blown her head off at age 48) than with a cute, scantily clad bobblehead doll. Yes, Aggronautix, the company that, in 2009, presented a bobblehead of GG Allin -- the lovable now-deceased counter culture character who beat up audience members, [...]

Heidi Klum Heidi Montag Hilarie Burton Hilary Duff Hilary Swank

Zach Galifianakis Weighs In On Mel Gibson 'Hangover 2' Flap

'As far as hiring and firing of actors, I have no insight into that world whatsoever,' actor/comedian explains on 'Today' show.
By Jocelyn Vena

Zach Galifianakis appears on the "Today" show on Monday
Photo: NBC

When Zach Galifianakis stopped by the "Today" show Monday morning (November 1) to promote his forthcoming Todd Phillips comedy "Due Date," he was asked about the controversy surrounding his other Phillips-directed comedy, "Hangover 2." His take on the whole Mel Gibson hiring/firing for the movie?

"I do not consult on the movies that I'm in. I just show up and I say my lines, usually terribly, and I do consult on dialogue," he explained. "But as far as hiring and firing of actors, I have no insight into that world whatsoever."

Galifianakis said in a recent radio interview that he was "in a deep protest" with a movie he was working on, presumably referring to "Hangover 2" and Mel Gibson's role in it. Though he wouldn't say much about Mel Gibson on "Today," he was open to discussing another famous Gibson. "If you have any questions about Debbie Gibson, I can answer that," he joked. "Debbie Gibson, if I remember correctly, lives in this neighborhood and has a very nice toilet."

Phillips himself has been vocal about Gibson being replaced by Liam Neeson in the film. Last week, he explained, "No one was ever fired. It's a term that is so obscene to me ... Someone was doing me a favor to come in for a two-minute cameo, and we changed it. It wasn't like we fired somebody. [Gibson] was just doing a favor from the beginning."

Phillips recently released a statement saying that he had wanted Gibson in the film, but that not everyone agreed with his decision so Neeson was brought in last minute to play a tattoo artist.

"I thought Mel would have been great in the movie," read the statement. "And I had the full backing of [Warner Bros. Pictures president] Jeff Robinov and his team. But I realize filmmaking is a collaborative effort, and this decision ultimately did not have the full support of my entire cast and crew."

Check out everything we've got on "Due Date."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

Kelly Ripa Kelly Rowland Kerry Suseck Kim Kardashian Kim Smith