Nicki Minaj and Mike Waltz team up at the UN

Before Nicki Minaj spoke at the United Nations today, Ambassador Mike Waltz referred to her as “the greatest female recording artist” and a “principled individual who refuses to remain silent in the face of injustice.” Adele, Beyoncé, Madonna, Lady Gaga, Barbra Streisand and many others would like to have a word with Ambassador Waltz (I hear he’s on Signal). But unlike Minaj, none of them appeared at the UN to speak out against the persecution of Christians in Nigeria.  

“Ambassador,” Minaj wrote on X, “I am so grateful to be entrusted with an opportunity of this magnitude. I do not take it for granted. It means more than you know. The Barbz & I will never stand down in the face of injustice. We’ve been given our influence by God. There must be a bigger purpose.” 

The event included a panel discussion, which didn’t include Minaj, moderated by Fox News anchor Harris Faulkner. Waltz appeared as part of that panel, and he also gave some opening remarks, which invoked a Nigeria torn apart by violence against Christians. “This is not random violence,” he said. “This is genocide wearing the mask of chaos.” 

Waltz invoked the kidnapping of little girls from school, church burnings, the beheadings of pastors “for preaching the sermon on the Mount.” “We have an entire faith that’s being erased, one bullet at a time, one torched Bible at a time,” he said, which is why President Trump has declared Nigeria a country of extreme concern for violation of religious freedom. “He has reminded the world that protecting Christians is not about politics. It’s a moral duty.” 

But Waltz knew why thousands of people were streaming a UN panel on a Tuesday afternoon, and it wasn’t to listen to him. “We’re going to hear from an especially powerful voice, a fearless advocate whose passion for justice transcends borders, and she uses her voice to defend the voiceless… She steps onto this world stage not as a celebrity, but as a witness. She uses, and has used, her influence to spotlight Nigeria’s persecuted Christian church, reaching out to her 28 million followers. Her ‘Barbz,’ as I’ve now learned.” 

That was, of course, Nicki Minaj.  

“Nicki,” Waltz said, “I can’t tell you how much I admire you. You’re stepping up. You’re leaning into this issue. You’ve enjoyed amazing success. And you could be sitting back just enjoying it. You could be just living the good life. But you’re coming here today, rolling up your sleeves, and let’s try to save these people. So everyone, please join me in welcoming a daughter of the Caribbean, a champion of the oppressed and a sister in Christ.”  

Minaj wore a tasteful black pantsuit and stood at a conference-room lectern far stage right, humbly, out of the spotlight. She wasn’t there to sing “Starships” or her verse on the remix of “WAP.” “I must say,” she said, “I am very nervous.” 

Minaj came before the United Nations, she said, “to combat extremism and to stop violence against people who want to exercise their natural right for freedom of religion or belief… we’re way beyond thinking or expecting or assuming that the person sitting next to you to needs have the exact same beliefs. We’re beyond that. That’s ridiculous.”  

Music, she said, has taken her around the world. “I have seen how people no matter their language, culture or religion, come alive when they hear a song that touches their soul. Religious freedom means we can all can sing our faith regardless of who we are, where we live and what we believe. But today faith is under attack in way too many places. In Nigeria, way too many Christians are being targeted, driven from their homes and killed. Churches have been burned. Families have been torn apart, and entire communities live in fear constantly, simply because of how they pray.” 

This problem, she said, demands urgent action. “Protecting Christians in Nigeria is not about taking sides or dividing people. It is about uniting humanity.”  

Minaj looked at the audience as if to say I am serious here, people. “Nigeria is a beautiful nation with a deep faith tradition and lots of beautiful Barbz that I can’t wait to see. When one church is destroyed, everyone’s heart should break just a little bit. And the foundation of the United Nations with its core mandate to ensure peace and security should shake… 

“Barbz, I know you’re somewhere listening. I love you so very much. You have been the ultimate light in my life and career for so long. I appreciate you, and I want to make it very clear once again that this isn’t about taking sides. This is about standing up in the face of injustice. It’s about what I’ve always stood for my entire career. And I will continue to stand for that for the rest of my life. I will care if anyone, anywhere is being persecuted for their beliefs. Thank you.” 

The panel discussion followed. It was long, detailed and serious, and included testimony from a Christian pastor in Nigeria. But most of the online audience clicked away after Minaj finished her five minutes. The headliner had spoken, and she made her point strongly and loudly. Waltz chose his ally wisely. Nicki Minaj has a broad reach. And all true Barbz know that she doesn’t quit until she gets what she wants.