IWD: ‘You don’t always have to be strong, resilient’- Nicki Minaj tells women

Rap superstar Nicki Minaj took to X on International Women’s Day to tell women they don’t always have to be strong or perfect, sparking debate online.

“I’m not going to write something about how strong & resilient you are because most of the time you shouldn’t have to be,” Minaj wrote.

“Today, instead of being ‘perfect,’ I’d rather you laugh at the mean joke, put your foot out & trip someone walking by, order food for yourself & eat it in front of hungry family members, block people mid-text, listen to people’s problems then just say ‘oh ok,’ play your favorite song all day, admire your beauty…inside & out.”

The post quickly went viral, drawing praise from fans who said Minaj’s words were refreshing and relatable, while critics argued they were provocative and flippant.

Minaj’s message comes amid growing discussions on social media about the pressures women face to be flawless and selfless, and how cultural expectations often leave little room for personal choice or indulgence.