Nicki Minaj: "Barbie Dolls Make Girls Feel OK About Themselves"

1 February 2012, 16:15 | Updated: 1 February 2012, 16:46

The 'Super Bass' rapper has discussed her love of the traditional girls toy and what it means to her.

Nicki Minaj has explained her obsession with Barbie dolls and insists the iconic toys are now more representative then they used to be.

The 'Stupid Hoe' rapper is open about her love of the Barbie line, often referring to her fans as the 'Barbz', and has even had a one-off Barbie doll modeled in her likeness.

"I feel like Barbie is great because it doesn't only focus on beauty," Nicki explained to Wonderland magazine. "You have Barbies that work, they have tons of different jobs now.

"And they come in different shades, which I love, and different hairstyles."

"So I think that they've gotten to the point where they're making girls feel like it's OK not to look like or be like the traditional Barbie," she explained.

The 'Super Bass' rapper also defended the dolls over claims they can promote a negative body image for young girls by comparing them to similarly idealistic boy's toys like Action Man.

"Now in terms of a body image, even male action figure dolls are cut up more than the average man – it's just how people make dolls!" she added.

The 'Turn Me On' rapper is widely expected to make an appearance at the Superbowl halftime show this Sunday (5^th February) alongside Madonna and M.I.A.

Nicki Minaj is preparing to release her second studio album 'Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded' on 3^rd April.

View a photo of Nicki Minaj in the new issue of Wonderland below (photographer: Matt Irvun):