Who is Carol Maraj? Nicki Minaj's mother once said she would love to collaborate with rapper on a Gospel song

Before Nicki Minaj started rapping, she wanted to become an actress. Minaj graduated from the LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts intending to be an actress and was cast in an off-Broadway play, In Case You Forget, in 2021.

While the Pink Friday rapper left acting after struggling to build a career, her roots lay in music, with her mother, Carol Maraj, also a singer. In 2019, when Maraj appeared on People TV and was asked by the host if she'd ever collaborate with her daughter, she said:

"I would love to do that one day... I think it would be gospel"

While Carol was a full-time gospel singer, her husband, Robert Maraj, was a part-time gospel singer and a financial executive.

---

Nicki Minaj's mother is a gospel singer

On November 13, 2019, Nicki Minaj's mother joined People TV for an interview, where she revealed that she was also a singer and had been singing all her life. Suggesting that her music could've inspired the Swalla rapper to pursue music, Carol said:

"I sang all the time when they were young while I was doing my dishes. When they heard me sing, they would just leave whatever they were doing upstairs and run down to the kitchen. They always say they miss singing around the house."

Maraj was a fan of Diana Ross and often sang her songs at home, claiming that the Starships rapper grew up "hearing the oldies."

Later, in the interview, Maraj revealed about her most recent song, What Makes You, calling it a "feel-good song," adding,

"This song is more pop, not gospel. It encourages people to love themselves and encourages them to build their self-esteem."

---

Carol considers her home as the best gift from Minaj

On September 18, 2023, Carol Maraj was interviewed by Page Six, where she opened up about all the expensive gifts Nicki Minaj had given her after she found success in her rap career:

"She has bought me a Mercedes-Benz. She bought me a beautiful home and many different cars. But I love my home. [Nicki] was born in Trinidad [and] came here at 5 years old. So to see her become this major success is amazing."

When asked about her life today, Maraj talked about how her daughter's success wasn't something she had expected, adding:

"I never expected this, raising my children here in the States, that my daughter would become this big superstar. I love that my daughter is so successful, and glad that she has a platform — but I have my own passion and drive. It’s really nice to know that I’m different."

Nicki Minaj's mother founded the Carol Maraj Foundation - an organization dedicated to eradicating domestic violence from society - in 2013.

It helps women escape situations of domestic violence. It empowers them to rebuild their lives, training them in job readiness and making them financially independent to care for their needs.

---

Carol opened up about God's influence in her life

On June 26, 2014, Carol Maraj was in an exclusive interview with The Christian Post, where the gospel singer opened up about God's influence in her life, recalling:

"My husband was a drug user, and would usually come home to sleep or steal. Seeking guidance in my life, I went to a revival (church) service with a neighbor who invited me."

Maraj continued:

"During service, the preacher made an altar call. My neighbor then turned and whispered, 'God is waiting for you, Carol. He wants to restore your life.'"

After that, Nicki Minaj's mother got baptized and became a youth leader at the Church. She also confessed to having trusted God to heal her family, where she still faced issues.

"As I grew closer to the Lord, on my spiritual journey, I started drawing my strength from Him. The scriptures gave me hope and grace to cope with my situation."

Carol also shared that her husband, Robert Maraj, was taken under the pastor's wings, who mentored him through life. She credited God for making her marriage becoming "less challenging."

Despite their rough patches, Nicki Minaj's parents didn't resort to divorce and were still together when Robert was killed in a hit-and-run accident.