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Nicki Minaj says she’s raising her son without a nanny

Nicki Minaj says she’s raising her son without a nanny

When Nicki Minaj, rapper at Young Money Entertainment told fans she was raising her newborn without a nanny, it struck a nerve with working parents who juggle careers and sleepless nights. She shared the choice on Twitter on Friday, November 6, 2020, a little over a month after welcoming her son on September 30, 2020. The decision—personal, costly in time, and rare in celebrity circles—has become a talking point about how stars handle childcare.

Her husband, Kenneth Petty, and their son—affectionately known as Papa Bear—were at the center of the conversation as Minaj weighed whether to bring in help. The exchange came the same day she appeared in a high-profile collaboration shot during her pregnancy, underscoring the tug-of-war between a relentless music schedule and early motherhood in the United States.

Why this no-nanny choice is sparking debate

Here’s the thing: celebrity parents often have a small army—nannies, night nurses, drivers—to keep life humming. Minaj openly saying she’s handling feedings, diaper changes, and midnight wake-ups herself flips that script. It’s not a moral statement so much as a window into her priorities, at least in those early weeks after birth. And it lands at a moment when many parents are thinking hard about childcare, privacy, and how much to outsource.

Minaj didn’t shade anyone who chooses differently. She simply acknowledged a decision that’s harder than it looks, especially with a demanding career. That relatability is exactly why her comments traveled so quickly beyond music fandom and into parenting forums and group chats.

The tweets, the timeline, and a video filmed during pregnancy

Minaj’s exchange started with a fan asking, “Why can’t Nicki be a normal celebrity and get a nanny. I miss her.” Minaj responded, “Everyone tells me that. I have to get one. Tough decision on this one.” Short. Honest. And unmistakably human.

Those messages arrived as she was promoting a new single and music video—shot when she was visibly pregnant—with two heavyweight collaborators: producer Mike WiLL Made-It, record producer at EarDrummers and rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again, rapper. The video featured futuristic styling and camera framing that avoided full-body shots—fans later understood why.

During the “What That Speed Bout!?” music video releaseUnited States, she showcased layered chains, a leopard-print jacket, and a long blonde ponytail. Earlier that week, on November 4, 2020, she’d posted a behind-the-scenes photo from the set that made her pregnancy unmistakable. The baby, of course, had arrived on September 30, 2020. And her marriage to Petty had been a year earlier, on October 21, 2019.

Key facts

  • Minaj said on November 6, 2020 that she was caring for her newborn without a nanny.
  • Her son, “Papa Bear,” was born on September 30, 2020.
  • The “What That Speed Bout!?” video with Mike WiLL Made-It and YoungBoy Never Broke Again dropped November 6, 2020.
  • She married Kenneth Petty on October 21, 2019.
  • Minaj called hiring a nanny a “tough decision,” noting pressure from people around her.

Summary: On November 6, 2020, Nicki Minaj told fans on Twitter she was raising her newborn son without a nanny, despite a schedule that could justify help. The disclosure came the same day she released “What That Speed Bout!?” with Mike WiLL Made-It and YoungBoy Never Broke Again, filmed during her pregnancy. The move resonated with parents, spotlighting childcare trade-offs that even high-profile artists face after giving birth.

Fans and industry voices: reactions and reality checks

Reactions spanned the spectrum. Some fans applauded the hands-on approach—“Do what feels right for your family”—while others worried she’d vanish from public view. One tweet that sparked the exchange read, “Why can’t Nicki be a normal celebrity and get a nanny. I miss her.” Minaj’s answer—“Everyone tells me that. I have to get one. Tough decision on this one.”—captured the internal debate many new parents face.

Professionals in family care note that choices around nannies often shift as sleep deprivation sets in and work ramps up. In major U.S. cities, full-time nannies can cost well into the high-$20s per hour, with overnight support priced higher. For artists juggling studio time, shoots, and travel, having a trusted caregiver isn’t just a luxury; it can be a logistical necessity.

Why this matters beyond celebrity chatter

Minaj’s candor mirrors a larger conversation about postpartum work and support. Most parents don’t tour arenas, but many recognize the calculus: privacy versus help, bonding time versus burnout. Her decision also illuminates how social media shapes parenting narratives—one short reply can reframe expectations for millions watching.

There’s also a creative wrinkle. Shooting a major video while pregnant—and structuring visuals to emphasize style over full-body movement—shows how production teams adapt. It’s a reminder that an artist’s image and output can evolve alongside family life without losing momentum.

What’s next for Minaj’s parenting and schedule

Minaj left the door open. She didn’t rule out hiring help; she simply said it was a “tough decision.” As studio sessions, videos, and appearances stack up, the balance may tilt. For now, fans can expect occasional updates about Papa Bear and a continued push on projects that keep her visible without requiring constant travel.

Background: the path to motherhood

The timeline tracks cleanly. Minaj married Kenneth Petty on October 21, 2019. On July 20, 2020, she announced her pregnancy on Instagram with a single-word caption—“Preggers”—and a bright, stylized maternity shoot. Her son arrived on September 30, 2020. By November 6, 2020, she was promoting a new collaboration and opening up about childcare choices in the same breath.

For longtime listeners, it’s an evolution. The artist who vaulted to fame on precision bars and splashy visuals is now calibrating career and family—sometimes in real time, tweet by tweet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What led Nicki Minaj to say she didn’t have a nanny?

On November 6, 2020, while promoting “What That Speed Bout!?”, Minaj answered a fan on Twitter who asked why she didn’t “be a normal celebrity and get a nanny.” She replied that “everyone” told her to hire one but called it a “tough decision.” The timing—about five weeks after her son’s September 30, 2020 birth—suggested she was prioritizing early bonding while still weighing support options.

How might this choice affect her work schedule?

Short term, handling newborn care without a nanny often limits overnight shoots, red-eye flights, and marathon studio sessions. Artists typically lean into controlled settings—video shoots with tight windows, remote vocal sessions, and daytime media. As projects scale up, many parents add trusted caregivers to avoid burnout. Minaj signaled she may reassess, which is common as infants shift from newborn to multi-nap schedules.

When was “What That Speed Bout!?” released and who’s on it?

The track and video were released on November 6, 2020. The collaboration pairs producer Mike WiLL Made-It with YoungBoy Never Broke Again and Nicki Minaj. Much of the video’s framing and styling accounted for Minaj’s pregnancy, leaning on close-ups, futurist textures, and layered jewelry to keep the performance visually striking without emphasizing full-body movement.

Who is “Papa Bear” and when was he born?

“Papa Bear” is the nickname Minaj uses for her son with husband Kenneth Petty. He was born on September 30, 2020. The nickname appears frequently in her social posts and fan interactions, and it became shorthand for supporters discussing her new-mom updates and the childcare choices she openly debated on Twitter in early November 2020.

Do other celebrity parents skip nannies early on?

Yes, some do—at least initially. New parents often test routines before deciding whether to bring in help. It varies by workload, privacy concerns, and family support. In high-demand careers like music and film, many ultimately hire assistance—sometimes part-time or overnight only—once travel and production schedules ramp up or when returning to multi-day shoots and lengthy studio blocks.

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