Many of Nicki Minaj’s fans have questioned how she could support her husband, given the shocking crimes he’s not only been accused of but has spent time behind bars for.

However, it looks like her family is on her side, given Nicki’s sister recently spoke up in defense of the rapper, an uncharacteristic move given that she mostly stays out of the spotlight, unlike Nicki and her hubby Kenneth Petty.

Nicki’s Half-Sister Defended Their Relationship

Earlier this week, Ming Luanli, who shares a father with Minaj, opened up about their relationship on the We in Miami podcast. Referring to their connection, Ming admitted they were never close, and says they go through trying times even nowadays.

“We were never close. She was always like busy and I be doing my s**t, too. Even though people do think that we are not cool, we’re gonna argue. My sister gets mad at me. This is nothing new, siblings gonna fight,” Ming explained.

Despite the ups and downs, Ming acknowledged Nicki’s efforts as a sister, saying, “She did check up on me and my dad from time to time. She always made sure we were at least good, situated in a way.”

Both sisters are daughters of Robert Maraj, who died in a hit-and-run accident in 2021. Following in her famous sister’s footsteps, Ming has also pursued a career in rap. She’s determined to establish her own identity in the industry, insisting she doesn’t want to be recognized merely as “Nicki Minaj’s little sister.”

Ming asserted, “I am Ming Mual Li. I’m going to make big moves on my own, without any secret favors. I’m going to climb to the top. I never needed her to help me get to my goal. I just needed her to see that I can do it and she could be proud of me, without thinking that I needed to have an easy way to get to the top.”

Nicki Has A History Of Defending Predators

As of now, Nicki hasn’t responded to her sister’s comments. But she’s known for sticking by her family, even in the worst of times. Nicki has faced significant controversy over her continued support of her brother, Jelani Maraj, and her husband, both of whom have been accused of serious crimes.

Jelani was convicted in 2017 for predatory sexual assault against a child and endangering the welfare of a child. The victim, his stepdaughter, was just 11 years old at the time of the assaults.

Despite the gravity of these charges, Minaj has expressed unwavering support for her brother, which has drawn considerable criticism from the public and the media alike.

In addition to this, Minaj’s husband, Kenneth Petty, has a troubling criminal history. Petty was convicted of attempted rape in 1995, a crime for which he served nearly four years in prison. More recently, in 2020, Petty was arrested for failing to register as a sex offender in California, a legal requirement due to his prior conviction.

Despite these serious charges – and the fact that his victim stands by her original claims – Minaj has stood by Petty, marrying him in 2019 and frequently defending him against public backlash.