Nicki Minaj accepted the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards.
During her speech, Nicki thanked Lil Wayne, Drake, Kanye West, Madonna, and Rihanna. She then told the crowd, “I wish that Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson were here,” Minaj said. “I wish people understood what they were going through. I wish people took mental health seriously, even for those who seem to have perfect lives.”
Nicki also thanked her loyal fans, known as the Barbz, and she also spoke about her son, known affectionately as “Papa Bear. Nicki is the latest recipient of the Video Vanguard Award, with past recipients including David Bowie, the Beatles, Tom Petty, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Britney Spears, Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Pink.