Bob Donnan-USA TODAY SportsNicki Minaj has a mini-me! The rapper and sometime actress announced on her Instagram that she has "hand-picked" the cast of the new ABC Family (soon to be Freeform) sitcom based on her life, Nicki. The single-camera, half-hour show is inspired by the superstar's upbringing in Queens, and will film in New York City this winter.
Up-and-comer Ariana Neal will play young Nicki, while Selita Ebanks will play her mom, Grace, Wesley Jonathan will play her father, Vincent, and McCarrie McCausland will play her older brother, Jaylen. Whoopi Goldberg will guest star as the family's neighbor, Miss Martha.
"I am honored and excited to announced that I've literally hand picked the main characters of my scripted series," the executive producer announced in an Instagram post. "I've been going to the auditions falling in love with some incredible people. Looking forward to unveiling this groundbreaking new show for you guys in 2016!"
Nicki will focus on the Minaj family's immigration from Trinidad, and the "vibrant family and the personal and musical evolution that led to her eventual rise to stardom," the network said in a release when the show was announced.
"This is one of the more unique adventures I've ever embarked on," Minaj said in a statement at the time. "I couldn't be more proud and excited to team up with an amazing group of people to give the world something really special."
Minaj, who has acted in The Other Woman and voiced characters in Ice Age: Continental Drift and Steven Universe, will also appear on the show.