Celebrity makeup artist Sir John is speaking openly about why one superstar client has always been a hard no for him.
In a resurfaced segment from the Naked Beauty podcast, recorded in late 2025 and released recently, Sir John explained why he has repeatedly declined opportunities to work with Nicki Minaj. The beauty expert said his decision has nothing to do with talent and everything to do with how he claims people are treated behind the scenes.
“I’ve seen her abuse so many of my peers,” Sir John said, detailing moments he found disturbing. He recalled situations where frustration turned personal, alleging, “I don’t like my lip gloss, I’m gonna wipe it on your shirt.” He added that the behavior often came after long hours of preparation by crews who had already sacrificed major life moments to be there.
Sir John said the stories he could tell go far beyond what he shared publicly. “I’m trying to give you an edited version,” he said.
Even longtime collaborator Hype Williams could not sway him. “He asked me to do makeup for Nicki Minaj,” Sir John recalled. “I said, ‘Hype, hell no.’”
The artist made it clear his stance is final. “There is no money that I would take,” he said. “I just don’t think she is a really nice human.”
In the comments section, several other industry folks who have worked with Minaj echoed his experiences.