Taraji P. Henson faces fan backlash after posting Met Gala photo featuring Nicki Minaj [PHOTO]
Fans Call Out Taraji P. Henson Over Met Gala Group Pic With Nicki
It was supposed to be a glamorous celebration of Black style at the 2025 Met Gala. However, Taraji P. Henson’s Instagram post featuring Nicki Minaj has ignited a firestorm of fan backlash. Therefore, dredging up drama from nearly a decade ago.
On May 6, 2025, X user @onikascrown posted a screenshot of Taraji’s Instagram with a cryptic caption: “well well well,” sparking instant intrigue. The post showed a group photo from Instagram’s annual “Met Gala Class Photo,” featuring celebrities like Nicki Minaj, Kim Kardashian, Jenna Ortega, Rosé, Jeff Goldblum, and of course, Taraji herself. The photo is seemingly harmless at first glance. However, Minaj’s appearance in the photo alongside Henson ruffled feathers among Nicki’s fiercely loyal fanbase, the Barbz.
Flashback to 2017: When Taraji Backed Remy Ma
Fans were quick to bring receipts. During the infamous 2017 feud between Nicki Minaj and Remy Ma. This beef is the one that gave the world the savage diss track “SHEther.” After that, Taraji publicly threw her support behind Remy. Commenting on Instagram at the time, she praised Remy’s diss track, calling it “karma,” and clapped back at Nicki’s fans in the comments.
“Your is hurt for your friend huh?” she wrote to a Minaj supporter, sparking accusations that she was shading Nicki at the height of the drama.
During that period of time, Taraji P. Henson was on top of the world. She was at the height of the “Empire” popularity. As Cookie Lyon, she was the most-popular actress in primetime television. So, Taraji showing Remy support was definitely viewed by many as a direct slight to Nicki Minaj. With Nicki’s Barbz being as dedicated as they are, they took Taraji on. In fact, they still are.
Now Fast-Forward to 2025: Smiles and Group Shots
Fast-forward to the present, and Taraji is not only attending the same Met Gala as Nicki Minaj but also posting a group photo that includes her. Fans saw red.
“Nothing worse than you dry hating on someone then quiet as a mouse when in the same room… clownery 🤡,” posted @Cir_Supreme.
“She ain’t have no choice but to post the queen. I know she’s sick,” added @whorressss__.
Others saw it as fake love. “Did she forget…. what she was standing on? Oh ok 👀,” posted @chrisCHUNreload, attaching a side-eye GIF for emphasis.
Now, Taraji P. Henson finds herself on the opposite side of a large fan base.
A Timeline of the Shade
Let’s break down why the Barbz are breathing fire:
- 2017: Taraji supports Remy Ma during her beef with Nicki Minaj. Calls Remy’s diss “karma.”
- 2018–2019: Multiple subtle jabs from Taraji toward Nicki resurface on social media. No clear reconciliation ever made public.
- 2025: Taraji posts an IG photo with Nicki Minaj front and center. Fans call it hypocritical.
Despite all of this, Taraji P. Henson insisted she had no issues with Nicki Minaj. However, the fans were not as easily convinced. Nicki, though, stayed quiet throughout all of this. Now, clearly any issues they have aren’t so bad that they can’t stand in the same photo.
What Was Taraji Thinking?
The photo itself came from Instagram’s annual pre-Gala class photo at the Mark Hotel. Vanity Fair described it as “tailored to perfection,” with the theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” showcasing Black excellence in fashion.
In her caption, Taraji wrote, “The #MetGala Class of 2025 is tailored to perfection ✂️🧵📖,” tagging major outlets like @vanityfair and @metcostumeinstitute.
But fans didn’t care about tailoring. They were focused on the presence of Nicki Minaj, a woman many still believe Taraji shaded in the past.
Some Defend Taraji—Barely
Not everyone sees hypocrisy. User @sweethoneybckin wrote, “Taraji don’t give af about no Nicki Minaj,” suggesting the whole thing might be overblown.
Others took a more neutral stance. “Can someone please explain the Taraji tea?? I’m lost,” posted @AplusNicki, signaling that not every Barb was up to speed on the historic beef.
Additionally, Taraji has gone on record and spoken on Nicki Minaj. When she did, she made it clear that she has no issues with Nicki.
Still, the majority sentiment on X was clear: the moment felt performative, and fans weren’t buying it.
No Comment from Nicki or Taraji—Yet
As of now, neither Taraji nor Nicki has addressed the situation publicly. But in the court of public opinion, the verdict is being debated in real time, GIFs and all.
Some fans wonder if there’s more to the story. Could the two have reconciled privately? Or is this just another case of celebrities co-existing for the sake of fashion week photos?
Celebrity Behavior, Stan Culture, and Selective Memory
This incident touches on deeper themes in celebrity culture—particularly how past comments can come back to bite, especially in the social media age. Stan culture thrives on long memories, and in the Barbz’ case, forgiveness doesn’t come easy.
It also highlights how quickly a glamorous event can turn into digital drama. One group shot—one caption—and the internet will dig through archives for shade, receipts, and screenshots. Whether Taraji’s post was an olive branch or simply a nod to a curated moment of fashion history, it’s the reaction that’s going viral.
In the past, Taraji has paid homage to Nicki Minaj. That, too, is celebrity culture. Early in the “Empire” era, Taraji appeared on “SNL” and portrayed Nicki Minaj in a skit. However, that was before Nicki got involved in the Remy Ma beef.
Conclusion: Photo Op or PR Faux Pas?
The Taraji vs. Nicki narrative may not have legs in real life, but online, it’s sprinting. Whether the drama fizzles or escalates may depend on what happens next—public comment, silence, or maybe even a future collaboration.
When it comes to the possibility of a collaboration, they’re already halfway there. Taraji and Nicki did do the photo shoot together. However, that’s still not an official project. But it is obvious the two don’t completely despise each other. Only time will truly tell.
Until then, the Barbz are watching. And as always, they’re keeping the receipts.