Nicki Minaj was not at the 2026 BET Awards, but her name still moved through awards-weekend coverage.
The rapper posted a birthday message to Elon Musk on X, sharing a photo with the billionaire and thanking him for “saving free speech.” The post landed as The Mirror and Daily Express US reported that Minaj skipped the 2026 BET Awards at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Daily Express US reported that she has 13 wins at the ceremony, including multiple Best Female Hip-Hop Artist victories.
This year, she was not nominated in the Best Female Hip-Hop Artist category. BET’s official nominees list showed Cardi B winning the award over Coi Leray, Doechii, Doja Cat, GloRilla, Latto, Megan Thee Stallion, Monaleo and YK Niece.
Nicki Minaj Posted a Birthday Message to Elon Musk
Thank you for saving free speech, Elon.
Happy Birthday 🎉🎉🎉
Love always 🫶🏽
From Gag City & the Barbz! 🩷🎀 pic.twitter.com/TuiNTkHxjS— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) June 28, 2026
Minaj addressed Musk directly in the post. “Thank you for saving free speech, Elon,” she wrote. “Happy Birthday. Love always. From Gag City & the Barbz!”
The post included a smiling photo of Minaj and Musk. Daily Express US reported that some users questioned whether the image was AI-generated, while others defended it as real.
Complex reported that the birthday message followed Minaj’s surprise appearance at SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas, during a livestream tied to the company’s Starship program.
She Recently Appeared at SpaceX’s Starbase Site
Minaj visited SpaceX’s Texas launch site in May for a planned Starship launch. Business Insider reported that the launch was scrubbed because of a technical issue, but Minaj still appeared during the livestream.
During the broadcast, Minaj praised Musk and SpaceX. Business Insider reported that she called the moment “historic” and thanked Musk for what he was doing for humanity.
Complex reported that she later congratulated SpaceX on X after the company completed a successful launch attempt.
Her BET Awards Absence Stood Out Because of Her History There
The 2026 BET Awards aired live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on June 28. People reported that Druski hosted the ceremony, which recognized artists across music, film, sports and culture.
Minaj was not listed among the 2026 Best Female Hip-Hop Artist nominees on BET’s official nominees page. The category went to Cardi B.
Daily Express US reported that Minaj remains the most decorated female rapper in BET Awards history with 13 wins. The outlet listed her wins as including Best New Artist in 2010, seven straight Best Female Hip-Hop Artist wins from 2010 through 2016, and another win in the category in 2024.
Cardi B Won Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
People’s winners list showed Cardi B winning Best Female Hip-Hop Artist at the 2026 ceremony.
Reuters also reported Cardi B’s win while covering the night’s major results.
Teyana Taylor was one of the night’s biggest winners. Reuters reported that she took home four honors: Icon of the Year, Fashion Vanguard Award, Best Actress and Video Director of the Year for Escape Room.