Nicki Minaj has paid tribute to Eve after the female rap pioneer admitted to feeling insecure about them starring in Barbershop: The Next Cut together.

Writing about their time on set together in her upcoming memoir Who’s That Girl? (out September 26), Eve revealed that she began therapy to combat her insecurities after learning that Nicki would be appearing in the film, but any negative emotions soon evaporated after spending time with the Young Money star.

“I’ve lived through what happens when women project their own insecurities onto other women,” Eve says in the book. “It happened at the start of my career and continued in waves as my fame grew. I wasn’t going to be that woman to someone else, but in order to do that, I had to physically and mentally prepare myself.

“Nicki and I were actually fine on set. We got along well and shot our scenes together with no problems. It was nothing like what I had expected, but again, I am thankful that I prepared myself for it.”

She adds: “I’d see her writing songs on her bus in between takes, hurrying off set to go hit some show dates over the weekend and then come right back on set for these 12-to-16-hour shoots, all while trying to hold together her personal life and her relationship. It was at that moment that I didn’t envy her, and I kind of wanted to give her a hug.

“I thought I was going to resent her, and really all I felt was compassion. I remembered being that person, the girl who felt like she had to do it all. The girl who was pressured to do it all, because it was all eyes on her. Instead of feeling insecure around Nicki, I started to sympathize with her.”

After catching wind of Eve’s honest comments, Nicki Minaj recriprocated the love by penning a lengthy tribute to the “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” legend on X (formerly Twitter).

“Dear Eve, the various things you’ve shared recently, are groundbreaking (in my opinion) for so many reasons,” she began. “First, thank you. The level of grace; the level of emotional & spiritual maturity it takes to be this vulnerable & transparent is a sign of TRUE peace, happiness, fulfillment, & mastery of self. Self reflection @ its height. I always say that I think accountability is the sexiest trait a person can have.”

She continued: “I was one of the kids in NY watching Ruff Ryderz on TV. I DEFINITELY remember how when you took the game by storm, that there were some ppl who couldn’t hide their insecurities. Even tho it’s swept under the rug now, I remember that you handled it with grace but ALSO a big sprinkle of unapologetic TALENT & charisma. You soared & soared. Classic music w/the illest team, to the BIG SCREEN. And made it look easy, too. Trendsetter. The Eve blonde short cut, the Eve paw print tats on the chest…

“I was so nervous coming onto that movie set every day. You looked like a pro & I admired that so much. Thank you for trying to not do to me what was done to you. Women feel so much pressure to compete & it’s a shame b/c we usually have so much in common & could rlly benefit from one another just as human beings. We all share so many of the same experiences as artists, wives, moms, ups & downs, anxiety, etc.”

Nicki signed off her message by saying: “Congratulations on your new book as well as all your many accomplishments in
Hip Hop & Film & TV. P.S. you STILL looK sooooo pretty.”