Nicki Minaj recently revealed that she is not yet a U.S. citizen, despite paying millions in taxes throughout her career. During a TikTok LIVE session, the rap superstar discussed her nationality with a fan and expressed frustration that the U.S. government hasn’t recognized her contributions with an honorary citizenship.
“I’m not a citizen of America. Isn’t that crazy?” Nicki said, clarifying that she still holds citizenship in Trinidad and Tobago, where she was born. She added, “I was born on a beautiful island called Trinidad and Tobago. But I’ve been in the States for many years. You would think that with the millions of dollars that I’ve paid in taxes to this country that I would have been given an honorary citizenship many, many, many thousands of years ago.”
Nicki has spoken about her immigrant background in the past, particularly in a heartfelt message in 2018, where she addressed the controversial separation of migrant children from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border. “I came to this country as an illegal immigrant at 5 years old. I can’t imagine the horror of being in a strange place and having my parents stripped away from me at the age of 5,” she shared on Instagram, urging for an end to the policy.
Despite her long time in the U.S., Nicki has always embraced her Trinidadian roots. Last year, she showcased her love for her home country on the remix of “Shake The Place” with fellow Trinidadian artists Machel Montano and Destra. She later performed the song at the annual Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, a moment that held deep personal significance for her.