PAPER Magazine has just released it’s Spring 2012 Fashion Issue, and they’ve chosen the “new” Black Barbie aka Nicki Minaj as their cover girl! Inside the mag, Nicki is interviewed by style expert and creative ambassador-at-large of Barneys New York, Simon Doonan.

“We love Nicki’s unique style and unconventional look and Simon has devoted his career to celebrating fashion odd-balls and women who push the envelope (see his book Wacky Chicks).” – PAPER

The two talk about everything from how Minaj deals with the pressures of fame, to their mutual obsession with Big Ang from VH1′s reality series Mob Wives.

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Pop sensation Rihanna graces the cover of Vogue magazine’s 10th annual shape issue (April 2011). In the article, Rihanna discusses everything from her break up with MLB star Matt Kemp, her father’s unexpected betrayal, and her ever-changing style.

On her father’s betrayal:
“[The assault incident] was the first time my dad went to the press and just told them a bunch of lies…he never called to find out how I was doing, if I was alive, nothing. He just never called. He went straight to the press and got a check. And now he does it again. Now, I’m like “Whatever, I tried”.

Rihanna is referencing recent childhood photo’s her father sold to The Sun, which was included with an interview.

“It really makes me question what I have become to my father. Like, what do I even mean to him? It’s really strange. That’s the only word I can think of to describe it, because you grow up with your father, you know him, you are a part of him, for goodness’ sakes! And then he does something so bizarre that I can’t begin to wrap my mind around it. You hear the horror stories about people going behind people’s backs and doing strange things, but you always think, ‘Not my family. My father would never do that to me.’”

On her relationship ending with Matt Kemp:
“I just kind of shut down from that. I just let it go. I don’t ever want to have to depend on a relationship. I think it’s a really hard thing to find love. It’s beautiful. Nothing can match it. But I want to make sure that I find other things in life that I love besides love.”

On how her style has changed over the years:
“When I was fourteen and first started going out, I always wanted to be the opposite of everyone else,” she says. “So I would go to the club in a polo T-shirt and pants and sneakers and a hat on backward, just so I would not be dressed like other girls. And I got desperate for things that weren’t available in Barbados. I would cut things out of magazines. I was obsessed with creating a visual with clothing, and the way things are combined.”

“It’s become more about taking a risk. When I am putting looks together, I dare myself to make something work. I always look for the most interesting silhouette or something that’s a little off, but I have to figure it out. I have to make it me. I think that’s the thrill in fashion.”

She also talks about her curves stating, “For the first time, I don’t want to get rid of the curves.”

Check out her spread below…

Miley Cyrus is Marie Claire magazine’s March 2011 cover girl! The teen sensation who attended an LA movie premiere last night in Winter Kate, looks even more beautiful on the magazine’s cover, wearing a bedazzled open-back Roberto Cavalli gown.

In her interview, Miley discussed topics such as “the bong situation”, her parents’ very public divorce, and her upcoming projects, etc.

The magazine spread showcases Miley in many gorgeous designer pieces such as Burberry Prorsum, Donna Karan New York, Ralph Lauren Collection, a $1,750 Gareth Pugh dress (LOVE), and much more!

Miley Cyrus wearing AF Vandevorst.

On her being photo’d making out with Avan Jogia:
“If you look at the picture, I’m turned away, and he’s kissing me on the cheek. It’s very hilarious to me that people say, ‘They’re making out.’ In making out, there’s a tongue.”

On her parents’ divorce:
“Of course, anyone is going to be upset when there are troubles in their family, but I have a lot of hope in our family, and no matter what happens, we’re gonna stay strong.”

On whether she thought the “bong situation” was a mistake, or not:
“Obviously, college kids are smoking bongs with a lot more than salvia in them – “But they’re not Miley Cyrus,” she says. “They’re not role models. So for me it was a bad decision, because of my fans and because of what I stand for.”

Read the rest of Marie Claire‘s exclusive interview in their March 2011 issue, which hits newsstands February 15th.

The final shots from Nicki Minaj’s V Magazine “Discovery Issue” spread are finally here. And, those “sources” apparently lied, saying these shots would be much more low-key than some of Nicki’s previous work.

She appears to be wearing tribal paint in a few photos, which have so far received mixed reviews. Some feel that the tribal paint is offensive and degrading to African Americans, while others don’t see anything at all wrong with the images. I just don’t understand what the “inspiration” behind this shoot was, but whatever.

Nick looks stunning in the black and white images — minus the face paint. She posed in designs from the Versace Resort 2011, and Mark Fast and Balmain Spring 2011 collections, but the overall styling wassss…mmm… I just didn’t like it! Though she didn’t, it looks as if she dressed herself, and that’s definitely not a compliment.

However, I die for the leopard leotard. Now that, was hot!

Nicki Minaj in Versace Resort 2011

“Everything I do has been approved by me personally. My team is mostly made up of guys, but none of them would ever think about telling me what to wear or what to do with my hair. They know that ultimately I’m gonna do what I’m gonna do.”
- Nicki Minaj to V Magazine

Nicki Minaj in Mark Fast Spring 2011

“I just always want to do ‘me,’ but ‘me’ changes every day. I would crumple up and die if I had to wake up and be the same person every day. I don’t silence those voice anymore. I just let them speak.”
- Nicki Minaj to V Magazine

Nicki Minaj in Balmain Spring 2011

On magazine stands this week, is where you will find the latest issue of V Magazine. The Spring Preview 2011 issue (aka The Discovery Issue), to be exact. Platinum recording artist and top female rapper, Nicki Minaj, graces the cover whose headline reads “The Birth of a Star…”.

Only the cover, shot by renowned photographers Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, has made it’s way to the ‘net, but I can’t wait to see Nicki’s photo spread inside! The camera loves her, and from the looks of the cover (serious face, dark hair with blunt bangs, signature pink pout, and a cut-out Mark Fast Spring 2011 design), it’s going to be fierce!

Sources are saying we’ll definitely see a different side of Nicki in this shoot. They’ll be much more low-key than some of her previous work.

Nicki currently has two music videos in the works. “Moment for Life” (ft Drake) and “Fly” (ft Rihanna), so stay tuned for that new, new!