In the world of music and pop culture, few friendships resonate as deeply as the one between Nicki Minaj and Rihanna. On August 10, 2025, Nicki Minaj took to Instagram Live to share heartfelt insights into Rihanna’s inspiring journey as a mother, gushing over her resilience, love for her children, and their shared bond as “boy moms.” The 42-year-old rapper, known for her fierce lyricism and unapologetic persona, opened up about Rihanna’s transformation into a devoted mother of four—RZA, Riot, and newborn twins Ruby Monica and Rebel Ronald—while reflecting on their mutual experiences raising sons. This candid moment, filled with laughter, tears, and admiration, revealed the unbreakable connection between two global icons, moving fans with their authenticity and sisterhood.

Rihanna, 37, and Nicki Minaj, born Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, have long been pillars of the music industry. Rihanna’s rise from Barbados to global stardom with hits like “Umbrella” and “Diamonds,” coupled with her billion-dollar Fenty empire, has made her a cultural juggernaut. Nicki, hailing from Queens, New York, redefined hip-hop with albums like Pink Friday and tracks like “Super Bass,” earning her a legion of fans known as the Barbz. Both women, now mothers, have navigated the highs and lows of fame while embracing parenthood, a journey that has deepened their bond. Their friendship, rooted in collaborations like 2010’s “Raining Men” and 2011’s “Fly,” has evolved into a sisterhood grounded in shared experiences, particularly the joys and challenges of raising children.

During her Instagram Live, Nicki recounted a recent FaceTime call with Rihanna, where the two swapped stories about their sons—Nicki’s five-year-old “Papa Bear,” born in September 2020, and Rihanna’s sons, RZA, 3, and Riot, 2, along with her one-month-old twins. “RiRi’s out here killing it as a mom,” Nicki said, her voice brimming with pride. “She’s got four kids now, and she’s still running Fenty, planning an album, and looking like a whole vibe. I’m like, ‘Sis, how you doing this?’” Nicki shared how Rihanna’s openness about her pregnancy struggles and triumphs inspired her, particularly during the challenging early days of motherhood. “She told me about those sleepless nights with RZA, and I was like, ‘Girl, I felt that with Papa Bear.’ It’s like we’re in this mom club together.”

Rihanna’s motherhood journey began with the birth of RZA Athelston Mayers in May 2022, followed by Riot Rose Mayers in August 2023, both with her partner, A$AP Rocky. Her pregnancy announcements—first in Harlem in January 2022 and then at the 2023 Super Bowl halftime show—captivated the world, showcasing her bold maternity style and unapologetic embrace of motherhood. In July 2025, Rihanna welcomed twins Ruby Monica and Rebel Ronald, named after her late grandmother and father, respectively, marking a bittersweet milestone following her father Ronald Fenty’s passing in May 2025. Nicki, who congratulated Rihanna on her second pregnancy in 2023 via Instagram, praised her resilience during her latest pregnancy. “RiRi was glowing at the Met Gala, but she told me those twins were no joke,” Nicki shared. “She was dealing with cellulite, cravings, all of it, and still slayed that red carpet.”

Nicki’s admiration for Rihanna’s parenting style stems from their shared perspective as “boy moms.” In a September 2024 X post, Rihanna shared a video of RZA escaping his playpen, captioning it, “Being a boy mom is an Olympic sport.” Nicki responded, “Who are you TELLING???!!!!!! I’ve literally had to learn 3 new sports!!! Papa Bear flattened 3 playpens before we gave up on it.” During her livestream, Nicki elaborated, laughing, “Our boys are like mini superheroes with too much energy. RiRi and I be texting like, ‘How do they climb everything?’” She recounted how Rihanna described RZA’s first word, “hey,” inspired by her playful greetings, and how Riot’s morning “squeals” are her daily alarm clock. These anecdotes, shared with warmth, highlighted their connection as mothers navigating the chaos of raising spirited sons.

The duo’s bond is also shaped by their candidness about motherhood’s challenges. Rihanna has been open about the physical and emotional toll of parenting, from post-pregnancy body changes to the constant worry for her children’s well-being. In an April 2024 Interview magazine feature, she admitted, “The well-being of your kids, you worry about that constantly,” a sentiment Nicki echoed in her livestream. “RiRi and I talk about that mom anxiety,” Nicki said. “Like, you’re out here being a boss, but you’re checking your phone every five minutes to make sure your kids are good.” Nicki, who has spoken about her own struggles with separation anxiety from Papa Bear, shared how Rihanna’s advice helped her cope. “She told me, ‘Onika, you gotta trust they’re okay and keep going.’ That hit me hard.”

Their cultural backgrounds—Rihanna’s Barbadian roots and Nicki’s Trinidadian heritage—also inform their parenting philosophies. Nicki, who opted not to hire a nanny due to cultural preferences, noted that Rihanna relies on a small, trusted circle rather than a full staff, a choice reflecting their shared desire to stay hands-on. “RiRi’s like, ‘I need to know every cry, every need,’” Nicki said, praising her friend’s dedication. This approach resonates with fans, who flooded social media with hashtags like #RihannaNickiMoms and #BoyMomBond, celebrating their authenticity. “Seeing Nicki and Rihanna talk about motherhood makes me feel seen,” one fan tweeted. “They’re superstars, but they’re out here stressing like us.”

Rihanna’s ability to balance her Fenty empire, music career, and motherhood has left Nicki in awe. “She’s out here with Fenty Beauty, Savage X Fenty, and four kids, and I’m struggling with one,” Nicki joked. Rihanna’s recent projects, including a new pediatric hospital wing in Barbados through her Clara Lionel Foundation, reflect her commitment to giving her children a legacy of impact. Nicki, whose Pink Friday 2 tour concluded in 2024, has similarly prioritized her son, often bringing him to studio sessions. “RiRi and I both want our kids to see us working hard but also know they’re our world,” Nicki said, emphasizing their shared values.

The emotional depth of their bond was evident when Nicki teared up discussing Rihanna’s recent loss. “Losing her dad right before the twins came, that broke my heart,” she said. “But she’s so strong, naming her son Rebel Ronald to honor him. That’s real love.” Rihanna’s Instagram post about Rebel’s resemblance to her late father moved Nicki, who shared, “I told her, ‘Ri, that’s God giving you a piece of your dad back.’ We cried together on FaceTime.” This moment underscored their sisterhood, a bond that transcends fame and thrives on mutual support.

Fans have embraced this narrative, with X posts praising their connection. “Nicki breaking down Rihanna’s mom journey is everything,” one user wrote. “They’re queens supporting queens.” Another commented, “From ‘Fly’ to mom talks, Nicki and Rihanna’s bond is unbreakable.” The livestream also reignited calls for a new collaboration, with fans hoping for a track inspired by their motherhood experiences. Nicki teased, “Me and RiRi might have something cooking, but don’t hold me to it—she’s busy with diapers!”

As Rihanna navigates life with four children and Nicki balances her career with raising Papa Bear, their friendship remains a beacon of strength. Nicki’s tribute to Rihanna’s motherhood journey—filled with humor, vulnerability, and love—reveals the truth behind their bond: two women who’ve conquered the world, now finding joy and purpose in their children. Their story moves fans not just for its star power, but for its humanity, proving that even superstars find their greatest strength in the unbreakable bond of motherhood.