A Comprehensive Look at the Relationship Between Nicki Minaj and Kenneth ‘Zoo’ Petty
Discover the whirlwind romance of Nicki Minaj and Kenneth ‘Zoo’ Petty From their debut in December 2018 to their marriage in October 2019, witness the journey of this iconic couple in our exclusive timeline
Nicki Minaj surprised her fans by finding love in an unexpected place. The rapper caused a stir when she publicly revealed her relationship with Kenneth "Zoo" Petty, a registered sex offender, in December 2018.
Despite facing criticism, the couple has remained unaffected by the negative attention surrounding their quick romance. They got married in 2019 and in 2020, they welcomed their son, whose name has not been disclosed to the public. (Minaj affectionately calls her baby boy "Papa Bear.")
Scroll down to see a timeline of Minaj and Petty’s relationship so far.
Credit: Johnny Nunez/Getty Images
Nicki Minaj and Kenneth ‘Zoo’ Petty: A Timeline of Their Relationship
Nicki Minaj surprised her fans by finding love in an unexpected place. In December 2018, she caused quite a stir when she publicly revealed her relationship with Kenneth “Zoo” Petty, who has a history as a registered sex offender.
Despite facing criticism, the couple has remained unaffected and committed to their fast-paced romance. In 2019, they took their relationship to the next level by getting married. The following year, they welcomed their son, although his name has not been disclosed publicly. Nicki Minaj affectionately refers to her baby boy with the nickname "Papa Bear."
Scroll down to see a timeline of Minaj and Petty’s relationship so far.
Credit: Courtesy of Nicki Minaj/Instagram
December 2018
The Grammy nominee unveiled her significant other on Instagram in December 2018, sharing pictures of their festivities for her 36th birthday. "Did you ever make it out of that town where nothing ever happens?... it's no secret... that the both of us... are running out of time," she captioned her post, quoting lyrics from Adele's hit song "Hello."
Credit: Courtesy of Nicki Minaj/Instagram
December 2018
Minaj has shrugged off criticism from social media users regarding her relationship, despite the fact that Petty was convicted of first-degree attempted rape in 1995 and pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in 2006. It is important to note that he has already served several years in prison for these crimes. "He was 15, she was 16... in a relationship during the rape case. But go ahead, Internet," she stated on Instagram in December 2018, the same day she shared a provocative photo of herself in bed with Petty. "You can't control my life. You can't even control your own lives. Thanks, boo."
Credit: Courtesy of Nicki Minaj/Instagram
December 2018
In December 2018, it was confirmed that the couple has a deep-rooted history. According to a source, "Nicki and Kenneth were in a relationship during her teenage years, before she gained fame. They reconnected when she distributed turkeys for Thanksgiving in her hometown."
Credit: Courtesy of Nicki Minaj/Instagram
December 2018
Minaj unveiled in December 2018 that Petty had a significant tattoo of her actual first name, Onika, on his neck. "Did ya tat hurt zaddy? his initial tat,” she wrote alongside an Instagram video of the ink. "Pretending like it didn't sting #Onika #HeavyOnIt #SuperSleezy."
Credit: Courtesy of Nicki Minaj/Instagram
December 2018
A December 2018 exclusive source revealed to Us that the couple has had conversations about starting a family. Nicki is deeply in love with Kenny and has fallen for him quickly and wholeheartedly. Her happiness is evident, and she believes that he has transformed from his troubled past. However, some of her friends still have reservations.
Credit: Courtesy of Nicki Minaj/Instagram
January 2019
Minaj shared a video on Instagram in January 2019, featuring Petty affectionately kissing her feet in a hot tub. She accompanied the clip with the caption, "Fendi PINK on. Chun-Li links on," along with emojis of a tongue and foot.
Credit: Courtesy of Nicki Minaj/Instagram
January 2019
The singer of "Super Bass" disclosed during a Q&A session on Twitter in January 2019 that she and Petty engage in sexual activity three to four times per night "on average" because "6 is a bit much sis." She also acknowledged that they have been acquainted "since we were very young kids in the hood ... B4 the fame & fortune," adding, "But anyway, timing is everything."
Credit: Johnny Nunez/Getty Images
February 2019
Minaj and Petty celebrated a friend’s birthday together with rapper Young M.A in Hollywood in February 2019.
Credit: Spread Pictures / MEGA
March 2019
The speculation of matrimony arose when the ex-American Idol judge affectionately referred to Petty as her "husband" during her Beats 1 show, Queen Radio, in March 2019. Sharing an intimate detail, she revealed, "Every night, my spouse provides me with a luxurious lotion we recently acquired. They diligently massage and tend to my feet, lavishing attention on each toe, the heel, and the ball of my foot." However, sources later confirmed that the couple had not clandestinely tied the knot.
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June 2019
Petty appeared in Minaj's explicit music video for the single "Megatron," where she showcased her twerking skills for her shirtless partner in a steamy hot tub. Shortly after the release of the song in June 2019, the talented artist revealed on Queen Radio that she and Petty had obtained their marriage license. Amidst speculations about her pregnancy, she swiftly denied the rumors, clarifying that her ultimate aim is to become a mother.
Credit: Courtesy Nicki Minaj/Instagram
June 2019
Minaj shared three photos of herself cuddling with her beau on a couch via Instagram in June 2019.
Credit: Courtesy of Nicki Minaj/Instagram
July 2019
The actress from The Barbershop: The Next Cut looked stunning in red as seen in a couple of Instagram pictures with Petty in July 2019. "I recall a time when I shed tears, asking 'why me?'" she wrote as the caption to the post, "but now, I wouldn't trade my life for Armani."
Credit: Courtesy Nicki Minaj/Instagram
July 2019
The couple had to obtain another marriage license in Beverly Hills in July 2019 due to the expiration of their initial license. Later, during an episode of Queen Radio, Minaj revealed that they had 90 days to tie the knot. Subsequently, she updated her name on Twitter to "Mrs. Petty."
Credit: Jason Merritt/Radarpics/Shutterstock
October 2019
**Result:**
Minaj revealed on Instagram in October 2019 that she has tied the knot with Petty. Sharing a video featuring baseball caps and coffee mugs labeled "Mr." and "Mrs.," she captioned the post as "Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty 10•21•19."
Credit: Courtesy of Nicki Minaj/Instagram
January 2020
The "Yikes" rapper and her husband engaged in a heated altercation with her ex, Mill, at the Los Angeles clothing store Maxfield in January 2020. Subsequently, the former couple exchanged insults on Twitter.
Credit: Broadimage/Shutterstock
February 2020
Minaj expressed her admiration for Petty during an episode of Queen Radio in February 2020. She revealed, "Whenever I'm feeling low, just one conversation with my husband can uplift me and reset my mental state. He has truly been a positive influence in my life. I have known him since I was 17, and being with him has given me a newfound sense of comfort and freedom to embrace my true self and share my authentic identity."
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February 2020
The couple attended the Marc Jacobs show during New York Fashion Week in February 2020. She shared a video via Instagram of them kissing while sitting front row.
Credit: Alex “Grizz” Loucas
July 2020
Minaj announced in July 2020 that she is pregnant with the couple’s first child. “#Preggers,” she captioned an Instagram photo of herself cradling her bare baby bump.
Credit: Courtesy of Nicki Minaj/Instagram
September 2020
The couple became parents in September 2020 when their son arrived.
Credit: Courtesy Nicki Minaj/Instagram
November 2020
The new mom and dad got all dressed up for a night out together in November 2020.
Credit: Courtesy Nicki Minaj/Instagram
September 2021
Petty confessed to not registering as a sex offender upon his relocation to California in 2019 during a Zoom hearing held by the Los Angeles Federal Court. Previously convicted of attempted rape in New York in 1995, Minaj's husband served around four and a half years in prison as a consequence. One condition of his conviction is the requirement to register as a sex offender each time he changes residence.
As per the prosecution's statement, Petty may potentially receive a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison, a lifetime of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine (or twice the monetary loss resulting from the offense). However, if he is given the minimum punishment during his upcoming hearing in January 2021, he could face as little as five years of supervised release along with a $100 court assessment fee.
Credit: Courtesy Nicki Minaj/Instagram
July 2022
Petty was sentenced to one year of home confinement, three years of probation and a fine of $55,000 for failing to register as a sex offender.
Credit: Courtesy of Nicki Minaj/Instagram
November 2023
In her conversation with Vogue, Minaj discussed the advantages of marrying someone she has known since her teenage years. (The rapper and Petty were both students at LaGuardia High School in New York City.)
"I have a deep familiarity with my husband due to our long history together," she shared with the outlet. "We share laughter, embrace our silliness, and often indulge in nostalgic tales from the past. If I had met someone as Nicki Minaj, I would have questioned their affection, wondering if it was solely based on my persona and appearance as Nicki Minaj. The pressure of maintaining that image, especially during pregnancy, would have been incredibly overwhelming."
Minaj further acknowledged that the arrival of their baby had put her and Petty's relationship to the test.
"Let's not hide the fact that tensions ran high between us," she admitted. "Given our shared history, we were confident that we would overcome it. However, it's important to recognize that confidence is hardly assured in parenthood. Looking back, I sometimes wish someone had enlightened me about the inevitable anxiety that accompanies parenting, even though I probably wouldn't have comprehended it. The truth is, rather than dissipating, that anxiety only intensifies over time, making the whole experience even more daunting."
