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Crucial Update

Nicki Minaj’s New Sitcom Will Star Whoopi Goldberg

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/Getty Images

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As if you weren't planning to watch the scripted series based on Nicki Minaj's early life already, here's another reason: Whoopi Goldberg. Nicki will feature Goldberg as Miss Martha, Minaj's neighbor in '90s-era Queens when the show airs next year on ABC Family (which, as of January, will be renamed Freeform).

As for Young Nicki herself, the part will be played by Ariana Neal, who made her film debut as the 4-year-old daughter of Oscar Grant in the movie Fruitvale Station, and yes, she's very, very cute.

Nicki announced the casting on Instagram this afternoon, adding, "[...] I've literally hand-picked the main characters of my scripted series [...] I've been going to the auditions falling in love with some incredible people." The one question we still have: How much of it will be filmed inside a Red Lobster?

A photo posted by Nicki Minaj (@nickiminaj) on