Nicki Minaj Addresses Controversial COVID-19 Vaccine Claims: ‘I Like To Make My Own Assessment’

Nicki Minaj addressed her 2021 statements on the COVID-19 vaccine and credited her remarks to her independence in decision-making.

Nicki Minaj briefly addressed her controversial 2021 statements on the COVID-19 vaccine and credited her remarks to her independence in decision-making.

The “Anaconda” rapper covers the December issue of Vogue where she opens up about motherhood, her musical return with her newly released Pink Friday 2, and the stresses that come with being a high-profile celebrity. She knows firsthand how a celebrity’s opinion can become headline news, as Minaj faced international backlash two years ago for expressing her skepticism about the COVID-19 vaccine.

At the time, Minaj took to Twitter/X to share an alleged vaccine experience of her cousin’s friend who reportedly became “impotent” as a result of the vaccine.

“My cousin in Trinidad won’t get the vaccine cuz his friend got it & became impotent,” she wrote.

“His friend was weeks away from getting married, now the girl called off the wedding. So just pray on it & make sure you’re comfortable with ur decision, not bullied.”

She would go on to change her tune shortly after by encouraging her fans to get the vaccine and “wear the mask with 2 strings that grips your head & face. Not that loose one.”

However, her initial vaccine remarks became a trending topic on major news networks and even prompted Trinidad and Tobago’s Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh to issue a public statement saying there was “absolutely no reported such side effects or adverse event of testicular swelling in Trinidad.”

Now looking back on the incident, Minaj explained her stance when it comes to handling public issues that impact the masses.

“I’m one of those people who doesn’t go with a crowd,” Minaj told Vogue when recalling her initial vaccine stance. “I like to make my own assessment of everything without help from everyone.”

She’s also never publicly supported a presidential candidate and tends to remain mum during elections, which is a sensitive topic she knows can get her into trouble.

“Every time I talk about politics, people get mad,” she said. “I’m sorry, but I am not going to be told who I should get on social media and campaign for. There’s a lot we don’t know that’s going on in the government, and I don’t think it changes whether you lean to the left or right.”