Full disclosure: I’m not a Nicki Minaj fan. At 31 years old, I’m too grown to be down with the Barbiez, and I’m also old enough to remember the original “Black Barbie dressed in Bulgari,” Lil Kim. My apathy towards this young, new talent primarily stems from the fact that rather than perhaps borrowing influence to enhance a persona she created, she unashamedly and unapologetically swagger jacked the Hardcore-era Lil Kim.

Now we can proceed: I get that “Rip the Runway” is a mash-up, an alliance celebrating the affair between music and fashion. I also get that the hosts usually should be to a degree popular and fashionable. Past hosting duos included Derek Luke and Joy Bryant, Nelly and Lauren London, and Ciara and Chris Brown. But the pairing Nicki Minaj and Pooch Hall gives me pause.

Yes, Pooch Hall was the leading man on “The Game,” but aside from his being handsome, what’s his wow-factor? Is he notoriously stylish? Could they not find Pharrell or even Trey Songz? But, I suppose that’s where Minaj comes in.

She’s doll-faced and wildly popular but doesn’t possess an ounce of taste or style. She’s a caricature—an exaggeration of what a rap-girl might look like (think Ke$ha or Fergie when she was dressing “ghetto”).

Aside from being everywhere like roaches (like her mentor, Weezy), she holds no relevancy as a host, in my opinion. Ironically the night’s performers seemed to have more style substance than the hosts. Trina bravely pushes the envelope, frequently, rocking couture designs and shoes. So does Estelle. But I guess those ladies aren’t ubiquitous enough to hold the title of host.

Hell, provided she could get comfortable with a tele-prompter, I wouldn’t even be opposed to Amber Rose co-hosting. We may not know what she has by way of talent, but the fashion mags love her. And her style and confidence can’t be ignored. She may be capitalizing on the trend of space-aged, avant garde fashion, but you can’t call the chick a biter.

Both fashion and music are about reinvention. Respecting and being influenced by the old, but enhancing and stylizing it into something new. Nicki Minaj is nothing new. She’s a fashion “don’t” with ever appearance she makes. In my opinion, choosing her to host “Rip the Runway” is just reflective of her rap persona—an uninspired, easy way out.

– Quia Querisma

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Quia Querisma is a freelance writer, Dallas Glambassador, and enthusiast of dresses, shoes, premium denim and socializing of all varieties. She is many things to many people at QuiaQuerisma.com