After arriving almost 30 minutes late--in a jumpsuit--to the live taping of
"Idol" last night, judge Nicki Minaj is making up for it with her
new ELLE magazine cover for the April 2013 issue.

Check out her Tom Ford look, plus Morris Chestnut looking
yummy on Rolling Out....

Hopefully Nicki will learn how to get to places on time--even with
traffic--for the sake of her professionalism and keeping a job.  But at least
she's looking more put together than usual for her second cover of ELLE
magazine.

The "High School" rapper is rocking her blonde semi-wet wig and leather
jackets and face-shirts for her April 2013 spread.  And check out what she had
to say about her advice for women and bullying before checking out the rest of
the spread:

Her advice for women on how to command respect: "My advice
to women in general: Even if you're doing a nine-to-five job, treat yourself
like a boss. Not arrogant, but be sure of what you want— and don't allow people
to run anything for you without your knowledge. You want everyone to know, Okay,
I can't play games with her. I have to do right by this woman. That's what it's
all about."

On her plans for world domination: "My goal in the beginning
was to buy my mother a house. Now I realize, Okay, if I really focus and become
a key player in business, then I can build an empire. I'm thinking of a legacy
that I can be proud of and wealth that my grandchildren can use to go to
college. So world domination— in terms of providing for my family— is absolutely
my goal."

On experiencing bullying in school as a child: "I went
through a lot of bullying early on. Girls made my life a living hell. We had
come to America from a different country. My brother and I had accents. It was
very tough. So I've always put up this wall— it was a self-defense mechanism
growing up— because I was almost expecting people to attack me. And I still have
it. It's sad."

On her dramatic make-under for her ELLE photo shoot: "When I saw myself with barely any
makeup at, it was such a… like, I'm so, so attached to my pink lipstick, it's
hard. I feel that it's become a part of me. To go in front of the camera,
without pink lips or big ol' crazy lashes— you know, nothing— I felt naked. It
was scary! So this photo shoot was a real accomplishment in my eyes."

More pics:

Print bathing suit, Jeremy Scott for Adidas, $95. Leather trousers,
Salvatore Ferragamo. Link bracelet, Chrome Hearts, $1,595.

Strap-trim napa leather jacket, Tom Ford. Leggings by American Apparel,
$28.

Woven raffia bustier, $1,325, skirt, $3,095, both, Dolce & Gabbana