Nicki Minaj Casts Her Upcoming Sitcom

Nicki Minaj has picked the cast of her upcoming sitcom, "Nicki."

"I am honored and excited to announce that I've literally handpicked the main characters of my scripted series," Minaj wrote on Instagram.

The scripted series will tell the story of Minaj's life before she became a multiplatinum artist, focusing on the family emigrating from Trinidad and moving to Queens.

The half-hour comedy will shoot in Queens.

Whoopi Goldberg, who will guest star as Nicki's neighbor, Miss Martha, is the biggest name attached to the show.

Ariana Neal ("Fruitvale Station") will play Minaj before she became an international star. Selita Ebanks ("Real Husbands of Hollywood") portrays her mom, Grace. Wesley Jonathan ("The Soul Man") has signed on to play her dad, Vincent, and McCarrie McCausland ("Army Wives") is Jaylen, Minaj' older sister.

Minaj, 33, was born Onika Tanya Maraj and went to LaGuardia High School, where she studied singing and acting.

Lil Wayne discovered her rapping and she has released three platinum albums. Besides singing, Minaj has lent her voice to "Ice Age" and appeared in a few TV shows and movies, including "Steven Universe" and "The Other Woman."

She pulled no punches on "American Idol" during the 2013 season when she and Mariah Carey clashed. They each lasted a season.

Minaj' new show will be on what is now ABC Family and is becoming Freeform on Jan. 12.

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