Nicki Minaj on the cover of ELLE Magazine

Nicki Minaj‘s mainstream status is cemented in the latest issue of Elle magazine. , It’s the second time she’s been featured on the front of the mag, having also made an appearance in April 2011.  View more picture when you continueThe Young Money maven ditches the outlandish ensembles for a more demure look in the April issue of the publication, which was previewed on Access Hollywood today.

With Nicki stating that album #3 will take a more stripped-back/back-to-basics approach, could this look be one the ‘Starships’ rapper will be pushing moving forward? If so, we wouldn’t oppose; she looks stunning.

Check out a behind the scenes look at the shoot after the jump…