Nicki Minaj’s famously outrageous pink fried chicken necklace—once one of the most unforgettable accessories of the early 2010s—has suddenly reentered the spotlight, but this time the story comes with serious political drama. The designer behind the viral piece has announced he’s auctioning off the original necklace, saying the decision comes after the rapper’s recent embrace of the MAGA movement.
Back in 2011, Minaj turned heads at the iHeartRadio Music Festival when she stepped onstage wearing the neon pink fried chicken wing necklace. The bold, tongue-in-cheek accessory instantly became a viral pop culture moment, perfectly capturing the playful, over-the-top aesthetic that defined Minaj’s early “Harajuku Barbie” era. Fans quickly dubbed the look iconic, and the necklace became one of the most talked-about celebrity fashion statements of the decade.
The designer behind the piece, Taiwanese-American artist Onch, says the item is now headed to auction—with bidding starting at $30,000. While the necklace was once a symbol of Minaj’s creative and rebellious style, Onch told Page Six he now wants to distance himself from the rapper following her recent political shift and vocal support for Donald Trump.
According to Onch, the move isn’t just about selling a collector’s item—it’s also meant to reshape the meaning of the design. As an artist of color, he said the legacy of his work matters deeply to him, and he hopes the auction will allow the piece to move beyond its connection to Minaj’s current political identity. He plans to redirect attention from the controversy by channeling the moment into philanthropic efforts.
When Minaj first wore the necklace more than a decade ago, demand exploded almost overnight. Fans known as the “Barbz” rushed to get their own versions, helping Onch’s brand gain global recognition. The designer later released several variations of the accessory, including a gold-cast edition that commemorated Minaj’s 2017 rap feud with Remy Ma. For years, the piece remained a playful symbol of Minaj’s larger-than-life persona.
But Minaj’s recent political transformation has dramatically changed the conversation around her image. In late 2025 and early 2026, the rapper made multiple appearances at conservative events and publicly voiced strong support for Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. She even appeared alongside Trump at a Washington, DC summit promoting the administration’s financial initiative, declaring herself one of the president’s biggest supporters.
The political shift has deeply divided Minaj’s fan base, particularly among longtime supporters who once viewed her as a cultural icon of rebellion and inclusivity. As debates rage online over her new stance, the auction of her most memorable fashion piece now feels symbolic—marking what many see as the end of a very different chapter in the rapper’s pop culture legacy.
