Nicki Minaj in Elle Mag: Her look, Her beefs, and being a Boss!

Nicki Minaj officially debuts her new look to the US via Elle Magazine’s April Cover!

Nicki Minaj is taking advantage of her new found love for her more natural look.  Majorly toning down the wacky costumes and brightly colored wigs, Nicki Minaj is not only realizing how many people are digging her fashion evolution, but discovering a few things about herself.

Take a look at a few of the photos from her shoot and Nicki’s best quotes from her story in Elle Magazine’s April 2013 edition.

On getting rid of the crazy fashion:

“When I saw myself with barely any makeup at, it was such a… like, I’m so, so attached to my pink lipstick, it’s hard. I feel that it’s become a part of me. To go in front of the camera, without pink lips or big ol’ crazy lashes— you know, nothing— I felt naked. It was scary! So this photo shoot was a real accomplishment in my eyes.”

Why she beefs with a lot of the industry women:

“I went through a lot of bullying early on. Girls made my life a living hell. We had come to America from a different country. My brother and I had accents. It was very tough. So I’ve always put up this wall— it was a self-defense mechanism growing up— because I was almost expecting people to attack me. And I still have it. It’s sad.”

How  to be a strong woman in the industry:

“My advice to women in general: Even if you’re doing a nine-to-five job, treat yourself like a boss. Not arrogant, but be sure of what you want— and don’t allow people to run anything for you without your knowledge. You want everyone to know, Okay, I can’t play games with her. I have to do right by this woman. That’s what it’s all about.”