Nicki Minaj Covers ‘Elle’ Magazine, Talks Being A Boss & Building Her Empire

Well, well, well! It’s superstar and American Idol judgestress extraordinaire Nicki Minaj, looking relatively understated on the April cover of Elle. (There’s still major cleavage and a sexy leather jacket, but the clown makeup is all but gone.) It’s a good look for her, right? Still provocative, but considerably less button-pushing.

And there’s quotes in this story, too! First off, about the stripped-down look she had for the shoot: “I feel that it’s become a part of me,” she said of her makeup. “To go in front of the camera, without pink lips or big ol’ crazy lashes — you know, nothing — I felt naked. It was scary! So this photo shoot was a real accomplishment in my eyes.”

But while we’re on the subject of self-actualizing, Minaj had some words of wisdom for her fellow ladies: “Even if you’re doing a nine-to-five job, treat yourself like a boss,” she said. “Not arrogant, but be sure of what you want and don’t allow people to run anything for you without your knowledge.”

And while she’s made a lot of money, she has her eye on climbing even higher mountains. (Also, presumably, without the clown makeup.) “I’m thinking of a legacy that I can be proud of and wealth that my grandchildren can use to go to college,” she said. “So world domination — in terms of providing for my family – is absolutely my goal.” Sounds like a worthy one.

[via Elle]