Ming Luanli, a rising recording artist and Nicki Minaj‘s younger sister, opened up about growing up, peer pressures, and the current relationship with her iconic sister on the latest We In Miami podcast episode.
The 19-year-old recording artist from New York is the half-sister of Nicki Minaj. Luanli began pursuing music in 2024 and has been crucial to achieving success without the aid or consignment of her older sibling, who is regarded as the current Queen of Rap. Ming Luanli appeared on her first song, “Do It Again,” with Rakeem Love last January.
In the exclusive interview released on Wednesday (June 26), Ming Luanli spoke candidly on numerous related topics, including her music, love life, and what life was like growing up with Nicki as a sister. Luanli told the hosts that growing up with the Queen of the Barbz had its ups and downs due to her sister’s superstardom.
“I’m not gon’ lie, when people know who you are, it is a hard thing to ignore,” she at 5:45. “In elementary, middle school, high school, the moment people knew who I was, it was either like they would ask me about my sister or ask me like just weird things that’s gonna make me feel uncomfortable. Make me feel like I was not meant to do singing, I was not meant to be rapping.”
Later, Lunali described Nicki Minaj, whose real name is Onika Petty, as a caring big sister who always checked on her and their father while achieving superstardom. When asked, the rising star stated, “She was a good sister. She did check up on me and my dad from time to time. She always made sure we were at least good, situated in a way. It doesn’t matter if she was distant or not. I don’t have no hate towards her and if people think that I do, that’s y’all problem not mine.”
Luanli mentioned that she was often bullied because of her sister’s success. “I used to be bullied a lot for it,” she continued. “Because people used to say, ‘If this person was your sister, why didn’t she do this for you? Why didn’t she do that for you.’ At a young age, you don’t know how to answer questions like those. At the time, I felt not only attacked, I felt vulnerable. I felt like I was by myself.”
Luanli is asked about her and Nicki’s current relationship. She reveals that they were never close, but there is no animosity towards each other either. “We were never close,” she replied. “She was always like busy and I be doing my s**t too. Even though people do think that we are not cool, we’re gonna argue. My sister gets mad at me. This is nothing new, siblings gonna fight.”
Last February, Ming Luanli released her debut single, “Thinking About U,” featuring Iz Lamarr and Masika Kalysha. She plans to embark on her music career without her big sister and reveals that she will no longer be recognized as “the little sister of Nicki Minaj.”
“So, basically, as I’m going to start my music career further on, I will no longer be known as Nicki Minaj’s little sister,” she said. “I am known as Ming Luanli. And right now I’m going to do big things with myself without having to get secret help, any type of easy help. I’m going to work my way to the top.”
Watch the full interview below.