Nicki Minaj Admits She's 'Becoming More Guarded'

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'Now that so many eyes are on me, I feel I have to deliver,' rapper says in interview with Paper magazine.
By Tomika L. Anderson

Nicki Minaj
Photo: Getty Images

Fame is beginning to go to Nicki Minaj's head, but not in the way you might think.

The Grammy-nominated rapstress revealed to "Paper" magazine that the more successful she becomes, the more pressure she feels to deliver — and that all that stress is taking a psychological toll.

"Ugh! I have been working so much," the 29-year-old tells interviewer Simon Doonan, Barneys New York's creative ambassador at large. "Success came, and now that so many eyes are on me, I feel I have to deliver. And it's a business. No joke. I guess I'm stressing more than I should be, and I think I am becoming more guarded."

To relax, Ms. Minaj admits to indulging in reality TV — and apparently, a lot of it. "I love ['Mob Wives' star] Big Ang ... And I love the way those girls talk to each other: 'Don't YOU be coming at ME!!!' I love every freakin' moment. And I watch 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta' and '[The Real Housewives of] Beverly Hills.' "

Music, of course, is also an emotional outlet for the rap star. She says the process of recording her upcoming album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, made her feel "very free."

"The album is like a collage of all my emotions. I'm not sticking to any particular style. I am doing what I feel without restrictions. So it's very free and very me."

The issue hits stands on February 20.

Meanwhile, look for Minaj this Sunday at the Grammys, where she is expected to perform her new single "Roman Holiday." She is also up for Best New Artist and Best Rap Performance for "Moment 4 Life" with Drake.

Are you excited to hear "Roman Holiday" at the Grammys? Leave your comment below!

Chaos! Profanity! Wardrobe malfunctions! Don't miss Sway and James Montgomery live from the Grammys red carpet this Sunday, February 12, for a full three hours of mayhem, starting at 5 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And the fun doesn't end Sunday: MTV News has you covered until the Grammy hangover wears off!

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