In a revealing and emotional sit-down on The Gloria Vez Podcast on Vlad TV, Ming Li, the younger half-sister of global rap icon Nicki Minaj, opened up about her life, her family, and public misconceptions surrounding her identity.

For the first time, Ming Li addressed speculation about her relationship with Jelani Maraj, Nicki Minaj’s brother who was convicted in 2017 of child sexual assault. With confidence and composure, she made one thing unmistakably clear:

“That’s not my brother.”

Early Life and Family Background

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Ming Li described her multicultural roots — her father is Trinidadian, and her mother is of Chinese heritage. As the youngest of four siblings, Ming grew up in a household grounded in discipline and family values.

“You know my life more than me!” she laughed during the interview, acknowledging host Gloria Vez’s deep research before delving into her story.

Although Ming shares a father with Nicki Minaj, she emphasized that they weren’t raised together, largely due to the age gap and separate family households.

“She’s way older than me,” Ming explained. “We lived in different time zones, but she always showed me love when she could. I support her no matter what — I’m really proud of her and how far she’s come.”

Dispelling Myths About Jelani Maraj

At the 3:49 mark of the interview, the conversation took a more serious turn when Gloria Vez referenced Jelani Maraj’s conviction in 2017. Many fans assumed Jelani was Ming’s half-brother — a misconception that has persisted online for years.

Ming quickly and firmly corrected the record:

“Not my brother. He’s not related to me at all.”

When asked to clarify, she reiterated:

“Definitely not my brother. It’s not my business. What matters is what I’m doing right now — my music, my future, what I love. That’s what I’m focused on.”

The moment was significant — not only because it separated Ming from her brother’s crimes but also because it highlighted her effort to establish her own public identity free of scandal and confusion.

“People get too mis-confused,” she said candidly. “So let’s make that clear — nothing to do with me. I’m focused on my career.”

Relationship with Nicki Minaj

Despite not growing up together, Ming spoke with love and respect for her famous sister:

“I love my sister. I support her in everything she does. I don’t see competition — it’s about keeping a good heart with family. You can’t hold hate when you share the same blood.”

She noted that Nicki’s example as a performer and public figure provided motivation more than mentorship:

“She did the best she could by being on TV and encouraging people to stay in school and do better. I’ve got my own mindset, though. My parents raised me to be smart and independent.”

Sexuality and Self-Discovery

The conversation took another deeply personal turn as Ming reflected on her sexuality and growth. She opened up about identifying as bisexual during her early teens, sharing that she had her first same-sex experience at 13:

“I had my first kiss with a girl in seventh grade. She broke my heart,” Ming joked, laughing about her middle-school crush named Evelyn.

Ming described how her Caribbean-Chinese parents reacted to her early self-discovery — particularly her father’s stricter views versus her mother’s patience.

“My dad wasn’t feeling it, but my mom was like, ‘Girl, it’s okay. You’ll get out of it. It’s whatever.’ They were more focused on my schoolwork — telling me to focus on my books.”

When asked about her preferences today, she said:

“I prefer men more, to be honest. I do see myself marrying a man. I’m Christian, so I try to stick to the Bible sometimes. But I support everyone — I’m for the girls, for the gays. I’ll still go to Pride Month!”

Her openness showcased emotional maturity and acceptance — both of herself and others.

Focus on Career and the Future

Now 19 years old, Ming emphasized her focus on music and self-development. She’s appeared on Zeus Network, raps and sings, and has ambitions to build her own lane in entertainment.

“What matters is what I’m doing right now,” she said. “I’m focused on my music, what I love, and what I see myself doing in the next five years.”

Her clarity about purpose and independence was evident throughout the conversation — a young woman defining her own name in a world that often defines her by her sister’s fame.

Final Thoughts

Ming Li’s statement — “That’s not my brother” — wasn’t just about disowning a familial connection; it was about reclaiming control of her narrative. In an age of social media gossip and blurred family ties, her words reflect a growing theme among celebrity relatives seeking individuality and moral distance from public scandal.

At the same time, her openness about love, family, and identity illustrates a deeper truth: Ming Li isn’t running from her lineage; she’s shaping her own chapter.

“It has nothing to do with me,” she repeated. “What matters is what I’m doing now — my music, my life, my goals.”

A Brief Recap of the Case

• On November 9, 2017, a jury found Jelani Maraj guilty of predatory sexual assault on a child younger than 13 and endangering the welfare of a child as been in People reported.

• In January 2020, he was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison following the conviction.

• The case was both shocking and complex — during the trial, his defense argued the allegations were part of an extortion scheme targeting the family.