American artiste and rapper Nicki Minaj is set to take on a new role as a celebrity judge in the live finale of the Trump administration’s small business competition, the Million Dollar Pitch Competition.
The 43-year-old rapper, will join a high-profile panel that will assess five entrepreneurs competing for a share of a $1 million prize pool.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the celebrity line-up on 31 August, revealing that Nicki Minaj would serve as a judge alongside businessman and private equity fund manager Grant Cardone and Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia, who currently serves as the U.S. Chief Design Officer. Former Superman actor Dean Cain will host the event.
Reacting to the announcement, Minaj described the opportunity as a “major” moment.
She said: “This is a major Key, sooooooooooo looking forward to this!!! Imagine being a part of the Trump Administration’s initiative to support small businesses. Let’s GO!!!!!!!!!!.”
The competition forms part of the SBA’s Freedom 250 initiative, which celebrates 250 years of American free enterprise.
Five finalists—Compotech, Inc., Winton Machine, Plas-Tech Tooling, Red River and VetPowered LLC—will present their businesses during the live finale in Washington, D.C.
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The contestants will share the $1 million prize money, with the winner receiving $400,000.
The second-place finalist will take home $250,000, while the remaining contestants will receive $150,000, $125,000 and $75,000 respectively. The prize pool is being funded by Clover.
The live finale is scheduled to take place on 18 September in Washington, D.C. Minaj’s involvement adds another major entertainment figure to the government-backed initiative, bringing together music, business and entrepreneurship on one stage.