Ice Spice is finally addressing the controversy that put her relationship with Nicki Minaj under the microscope. What began as a promising creative partnership with collaborations like “Princess Diana” and their charting spin on Aqua’s “Barbie World” took a sharp turn after leaked private messages painted a different picture.
The drama erupted when Baby Storme, once a close friend of Ice Spice, shared screenshots of messages in which the Bronx rapper vented her frustrations about Minaj, calling her “ungrateful” and “delusional.” In a candid sit-down with Rolling Stone, Ice Spice confirmed the texts were real but said the real betrayal came from Storme. “The saddest part of the whole situation is that someone I trusted for years exploited my openness for personal gain. I feel used, basically,” she revealed.
Business negotiations added more tension behind the scenes. Minaj reportedly tried to lock in a formal deal with Ice Spice, but the rising star was already tied to two record labels, creating a logistical roadblock. Speaking with Keke Palmer on Baby, This Is Keke Palmer, she explained, “Despite my efforts to let our representatives manage the situation, it was simply the wrong time for a new deal.”
Still, Ice Spice insists the bond between her and Minaj hasn’t been destroyed. “It’s all love, as always. I still look up to her—she’s like family to me,” she said, also telling Rolling Stone that she wishes she had expressed herself better. “I have immense respect for Nicki and will always appreciate her contributions to my career and the culture.”
Though the leaked messages sparked heated conversations among fans and the Barbz, both artists seem intent on holding onto respect for one another. The turbulence may have tested their connection, but it hasn’t erased the admiration that fueled their collaborations in the first place.