Nicki Minaj made a surprise and headline-grabbing appearance Sunday at a conservative gathering in Arizona, stepping onto a stage normally reserved for Republican firebrands and culture warriors to praise President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance as “role models” for young men.

The rapper appeared at AmericaFest, the flagship conference of Turning Point USA, which was also serving as a memorial tribute to the late activist Charlie Kirk. Minaj was interviewed on stage by Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, who has taken over a leadership role at the organization since her husband’s assassination earlier this year.

During the conversation, Minaj spoke openly about her evolving political views and her recent embrace of Trump, a figure she had publicly condemned in the past. She praised both Donald Trump and JD Vance, describing them as leaders with “heart and soul” and saying their ability to connect with everyday people made them admirable figures.

“Our vice president, he makes me… well, I love both of them,” Minaj said, prompting cheers from the crowd. She added that both men had an “uncanny ability” to be relatable, framing them as examples for young men searching for direction.

Minaj also took a swipe at California Gov. Gavin Newsom, mocking him with a nickname popularized by Trump as she aligned herself more closely with the Make America Great Again movement. Newsom, a Democrat widely viewed as a potential 2028 presidential contender, has become a frequent target of conservative rhetoric.

The appearance included an uncomfortable moment when Minaj, attempting to praise Vance’s political instincts, referred to him as an “assassin.” The word choice caused a brief pause onstage, particularly given the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk. Minaj appeared to realize the gravity of the remark almost instantly, covering her mouth as the audience murmured. Erika Kirk brushed it off, telling the crowd she loved Minaj regardless, drawing applause.

Minaj also spoke about international issues, including violence against Christians in Nigeria. She recently shared and praised a Trump post suggesting sanctions against the Nigerian government, saying it made her feel grateful to live in a country where religious freedom is protected. That stance led to her being invited to speak at a panel connected to the U.S. mission to the United Nations alongside Ambassador Mike Waltz and faith leaders.

On stage, Minaj framed her political shift as an act of independence rather than loyalty to a party. She said she was tired of being “pushed around” and argued that expressing dissenting views has become controversial because “people are no longer using their minds.” Erika Kirk praised Minaj’s willingness to speak despite backlash from the entertainment industry, calling her courageous.

“I didn’t notice,” Minaj replied when asked about criticism. “We don’t even think about them.”

The rapper, born in Trinidad and Tobago and raised in the United States, is best known for hits like Super Freaky Girl, Anaconda, and Starships, and has received 12 Grammy nominations over the course of her career. Her political evolution stands in contrast to her past statements, including a 2018 condemnation of Trump’s zero-tolerance immigration policy, when she described herself as having entered the U.S. as an undocumented child and pleaded publicly for an end to family separations at the border.

Standing alongside Erika Kirk on Sunday, Minaj acknowledged the reversal directly.

“It’s OK to change your mind,” she said.

With that, one of pop culture’s most polarizing figures formally stepped into the heart of Trump-world, drawing cheers from conservatives — and likely disbelief from longtime fans watching from afar.