The Stars Of Nicki Minaj’s ABC Family Series Are

Nicki Minaj has officially locked in talent for her forthcoming ABC Family comedy Nicki.

Minaj released the names on social media, beginning with Ariana Neal (Fruitvale Station), who will play the singer before she became the anaconda magnet she is today. 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”.

As a bonus, it was also announced that Whoopi Goldberg (Once Upon a Time in Wonderland) will guest-star in an episode.

Minaj is clearly a fan of Neal’s as well, having gushed about her in an Instagram post on Friday, admitting she “literally cried watching her taped audition”. Sat in a room with her teaching her how to rap by doing a beat on the table & forcing her to stay on beat! Lol. “I am honored and excited to announce that I’ve literally hand picked the main characters of my scripted series ‘Nicki, ‘ ” she wrote.

Ebanks will play Nicki’s mom on the show, which means she’ll have an accent? She added: “Then pulled out all the attitude she had in her lil body”.

The Grammy-winning recording artist announced in September that she would executive-produce and star in a sitcom for ABC Family (soon to be Freeform). “Haha! She’s tough! And so sweet and cute”. McCarrie McCausland will play Minaj’s older brother, Jaylen, while Wesley Jonathan will tackle the role of their father, Vincent.

The story is based on Nicki’s upbringing as the child of a Trinidadian immigrant raised in Queens. Minaj, Aaron Kaplan, Stella Bulochnikov, Brian Sher and Gee Roberson also will serve as executive producers.