When Nicki Minaj sits down with Ellen DeGeneres, fans already know they’re in for something unforgettable. The rap superstar has made multiple appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and each time, Ellen finds a way to catch her off guard. But this particular episode had the audience screaming with laughter when Nicki’s cool composure shattered in a moment of sheer terror.

Ellen Starts with Flattery… and Curiosity

The segment began innocently enough. Ellen, always quick with a cheeky grin, confessed she was trying to get a body like Nicki’s.

“I WANT TO FIND OUT—DO I DO SQUATS? WHAT DO I DO TO LOOK MORE LIKE YOU?” Ellen asked dramatically.

Nicki laughed, playing along but keeping her secrets close.

“If I told you, I’d have to kill you,” she teased.

From there, the two dove into a discussion about Nicki’s recent Saturday Night Live impressions of Kim Kardashian and Beyoncé. Nicki’s spot-on mimicry of Beyoncé’s pout had the audience in stitches. But Ellen wasn’t finished steering the conversation. She quickly shifted gears, bringing up the raw, emotional themes in Nicki’s music, particularly tracks like Bed of Lies and Pills N Potions.

Nicki’s tone softened as she reflected on her personal growth:

“I just feel like sometimes you don’t know why something crazy or difficult is happening in your life until you’re able to use it to help other people… Now I feel better, I feel more peaceful. I’ve gotten rid of things that weren’t healthy for me.”

The audience applauded her honesty, and Ellen leaned in with warmth:

“I am so glad that you’re feeling peaceful. You know how much I love you.”

But anyone who knows Ellen knew that a “surprise” was coming.

The Infamous Scare

With a mischievous sparkle in her eye, Ellen told Nicki she had a gift. Nicki barely had time to react before a man in costume jumped out from a hidden box beside her chair.

Nicki’s scream could have shattered glass. She leapt nearly a foot into the air, clutching herself before collapsing back into her seat.

“STOP! Oh my God! I hate you so much. I could’ve broken my neck! Who is that man?” Nicki shouted, half-laughing, half-whimpering, while the audience roared with delight.

Ellen, of course, sat back smugly, barely containing her own laughter. It was classic Ellen—playful, outrageous, and guaranteed to deliver viral TV gold.

Why We Love These Moments

Nicki Minaj is known for her fierce persona, commanding presence, and unshakable confidence on stage. But in moments like these, Ellen manages to reveal a more vulnerable, hilariously human side of the superstar.

It’s why fans love to see Nicki on Ellen’s couch—the blend of real talk, unexpected scares, and genuine laughter makes for television magic.

 What makes this segment so iconic is that it captures the full range of Nicki Minaj: the artist who can deliver heartfelt wisdom one moment, and the woman who shrieks like the rest of us when Ellen pulls her pranks the next.