Nicki Minaj Donates $25,000 to ‘Job-Shamed’ Geoffrey Owens

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Geoffrey Owens

Brutally ‘job-shamed’ actor Geoffrey Owens is now experiencing a benevolent reaction from established stars.  That includes the charitable Nicki Minaj.

Yes, rappers are among the most benevolent philanthropists in the music industry.

And for those burnt out on Nicki Minaj’s ‘diarrhea of the mouth’ tirades of late, maybe this offers some redemption.  Just this morning, the outspoken rapper pledged $25,000 to actor Geoffrey Owens.  Last week, Owens was brutally ‘job-shamed’ for bagging groceries at a New Jersey Trader Joe’s, with outlets like Fox News publishing full articles on the ‘shocking discovery’.

Owens is best known for playing Elvin Tibideaux on The Cosby Show between 1985-92.  In that role, Owens brilliantly played the awkward stepson to the Cosby clan, with endless missteps.

All of which made it surprising that Owens is now working at a grocery store — at least to job-shaming social media gawkers.  But just one problem with that analysis: Owens himself didn’t seem to have any issue with the gig.  In fact, he loved the flexibility it offered and feels blessed to have had some high-profile acting roles.

“This man is a whole fucking legend.”

In an interview on Good Morning America, the actor proudly wore his Trader Joe’s name tag, and questioned whether it was fair to judge his day job as inferior.  So, define ‘struggling’: Owens isn’t putting himself in that bucket.  He also doesn’t want pity or job offers based on the imbroglio.

But supporters are rushing to the actor’s rescue.  That list now includes Nicki Minaj, who has decided to add $25,000 to the ‘Owens fund’.  Speaking on Apple Music’s Beats 1, Minaj announced the charitable move.

“This man is a whole fucking legend,” the rapper expounded on her dedicated Queen Radio segment. “That man is now getting so many opportunities, I personally want to donate $25,000.”

Minaj also shamed Karma Lawrence, who snapped the photos of Owens that went viral (yeah, ironic first name).  Minaj called Lawrence a ‘stupid fuck’.

Minaj’s charitable donation came alongside a huge offer from Tyler Perry.  And according to the latest scuttlebutt, Owens has now accepted a 1o-episode series role.

Minaj expressed the feelings of many, questioning why the 57-year-old Owens was shamed for merely making ends meet.

“So I felt like, ‘Oh my God, could you imagine?’” Minaj told Entertainment Tonight.

“We all have done jobs like that and I just thought, what if that were me? Or a family member and they were minding their own business, working to feed their family and somebody tried to humiliate them? I don’t like the way that feels.”

The donation follows a string of recent charitable donations from high-profile rappers.  That includes Chance the Rapper, who donated $1 million to Chicago’s public schools, and Jay-Z, who is staging a Tidal-themed concert to help finance prison justice reform.

…among many other charitable giveaways coming from hip-hop luminaries.