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Nicki Minaj praised Eve after the veteran rapper made a stunning confession in her new book.
Eve released her memoir Who's That Girl last week, in which she opens up about numerous sensitive subjects including her battle with alcoholism, motherhood and other aspects of her music-film career. In the book, the first lady of Ruff Ryders admitted that she started therapy after she became extremely apprehensive after she learned Nicki Minaj was cast in Barbershop: The Next Cut in 2016. Despite her initial feelings, Eve revealed that all her worries disappeared once she got to know Minaj.
“I’ve lived through what happens when women project their own insecurities onto other women,” Eve recalled in the book. “It happened at the start of my career and continued in waves as my fame grew. I wasn’t going to be that woman to someone else, but in order to do that, I had to physically and mentally prepare myself."
“Nicki and I were actually fine on set," she continued. "We got along well and shot our scenes together with no problems. It was nothing like what I had expected, but again, I am thankful that I prepared myself for it.”
“I thought I was going to resent her, and really all I felt was compassion," Eve admitted. "I remembered being that person, the girl who felt like she had to do it all. The girl who was pressured to do it all, because it was all eyes on her. Instead of feeling insecure around Nicki, I started to sympathize with her.”
After the excerpt went viral on social media, the Pink Friday 2 rapper read it and felt grateful to Eve for being vulnerable and open about their experience on set. She took to her X and penned a lengthy dedication to E-V-E.
“Dear Eve, the various things you’ve shared recently, are groundbreaking (in my opinion) for so many reasons,” Minaj wrote. “First, thank you. The level of grace; the level of emotional & spiritual maturity it takes to be this vulnerable & transparent is a sign of TRUE peace, happiness, fulfillment, & mastery of self. Self reflection @ its height. I always say that I think accountability is the sexiest trait a person can have.”
“I was one of the kids in NY watching Ruff Ryderz on TV," she continued. "I DEFINITELY remember how when you took the game by storm, that there were some ppl who couldn’t hide their insecurities. Even tho it’s swept under the rug now, I remember that you handled it with grace but ALSO a big sprinkle of unapologetic TALENT & charisma. You soared & soared. Classic music w/the illest team, to the BIG SCREEN. And made it look easy, too. Trendsetter. The Eve blonde short cut, the Eve paw print tats on the chest…
“I was so nervous coming onto that movie set every day," she added. "You looked like a pro & I admired that so much. Thank you for trying to not do to me what was done to you. Women feel so much pressure to compete & it’s a shame b/c we usually have so much in common & could rlly benefit from one another just as human beings. We all share so many of the same experiences as artists, wives, moms, ups & downs, anxiety, etc.”
Nicki Minaj congratulated Eve on the book and said the "Love Is Blind" rapper "STILL looK sooooo pretty." Looks like their bond is still strong nearly a decade later. Eve discussed the book at length during her recent visit to The Breakfast Club. Check out the interview below.