Who is Nicki Minaj’s Husband? Everything About Kenneth Petty

Nicki Minaj’s relationship with Kenneth “Zoo” Petty began during their teenage years. They first met while attending the same high school, but lost contact for many years before reconnecting in 2018.

Their rekindled romance quickly led to marriage in 2019, and they welcomed a son in 2020.

Minaj’s friend and fellow musician Derrick Milano shared in October 2019 that Petty’s deep understanding of Minaj as a person is the cornerstone of their relationship.

Milano noted that Petty’s lack of interest in fame or social media helps keep their connection grounded and authentic. “He understands her as a person,” Milano said, highlighting that Petty’s focus is solely on Minaj, not on public attention.

Despite their private relationship, Petty’s legal history has drawn significant media attention. He is a level two registered sex offender in New York, having been convicted of attempted first-degree rape in 1995, for which he served four years in prison.

He also served time for first-degree manslaughter, related to a 2002 incident, and was released after seven years.

When Minaj and Petty reconnected in 2018, Minaj spoke openly about their past, including in a tweet in January 2019, where she recalled their early days together in Queens.

She described their youthful romance and Petty’s protective nature, underscoring that their bond predates her fame.

By December 2018, the couple made their relationship public, with Minaj sharing photos on Instagram and Petty displaying a tattoo of Minaj’s birth name, Onika.

The following year, Minaj defended Petty against critics, emphasizing their shared history and dismissing the public’s concerns about his past.

Petty’s legal troubles resurfaced when he was arrested in March 2020 for failing to register as a sex offender after moving to California.

He pleaded guilty in 2021 and was sentenced to a year of house arrest and three years of probation in 2022, along with a $55,000 fine.

In addition to his past convictions, Petty pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter for a 2002 incident, resulting in a 10-year prison sentence. He was released after seven years and remained under supervised release for five years.

Throughout their relationship, Minaj has consistently defended Petty, particularly on her Queen Radio podcast, where she addressed critics who questioned her decision to be with him.

Minaj has emphasized the importance of finding happiness with someone who knew and loved her before her fame, challenging the notion that wealth or status should dictate her personal life.

Their marriage in October 2019 was kept low-key, with Minaj confirming the news on Instagram. Despite their privacy, Minaj has spoken about the joy and calmness she’s found in married life, sharing that having a partner who truly understands her has been incredibly fulfilling.

In July 2020, Minaj announced her pregnancy, and the couple welcomed their son in September of that year. Minaj has expressed her deep love for her child, sharing heartfelt moments from her pregnancy and early motherhood with her fans.

Petty has also appeared in Minaj’s music videos, including “MEGATRON” and “Hot Girl Summer,” further solidifying their bond in both their personal and professional lives.

Minaj became entangled in legal issues related to Petty when his alleged rape victim, Jennifer Hough, filed a harassment lawsuit against the couple in August 2021.

The lawsuit claimed that Minaj and Petty attempted to intimidate Hough into retracting her accusations. Minaj was later dropped from the lawsuit, but her husband remains involved in ongoing legal proceedings.

In September 2023, Petty was sentenced to 120 days of house arrest after threatening Cardi B’s husband, Offset, on social media, violating his probation.

This incident is one of the latest in a series of legal challenges that continue to impact the couple’s life together.