Early Life
Nicki Grande is the daughter and only child of Venus, a politician, and Vernon, a businessman. Nicki was raised in luxury, though she didn't care much about school and seemed to rebel against authority. As a young teenager, Nicki was sneaking out at night with various boys, and nearly got kicked out of private school. Around the age of fourteen Nicki discovered she was pregnant, with the father of the baby absent, Nicki had no choice but to turn to her parents. Vernon was supportive, but Venus was livid, knowing the scandal of her unwed teenage pregnant daughter would likely ruin her political career. Venus took Nicki out of school and forced her to hide her pregnancy. Nicki gave birth to a daughter, named Blair, and fell in love instantly. Venus however, decided to pass herself off as Blair's mother to keep up appearances, and soon enough the facade was regular in the household, with Venus and Vernon raising Blair as their own daughter and Nicki was forced into pretending to be Blair's older sister. Pained from seeing her own daughter being raised by her parents, Nicki became cold and distant and never established a proper bond with Blair. As a result, Nicki's relationship with Venus became filled with hatred and resentment, but she remained close to Vernon as it was clear he wasn't happy about being part of this lie.
Adult Life
As Blair grew up, Nicki got a job so she could bring some extra money into the household and support Blair. Nicki almost moved out of the family home as tensions with Venus grew higher, but she stayed so she could watch Blair grow up. As Blair got into her teen years, fights between Nicki and Blair became a regular thing, most being orchestrated by Venus manipulating Blair into believing Nicki is a freeloading slacker who's only living with the family for money as a bid to guilt Nicki into moving out. When Blair turned seventeen, Nicki decided to start taking back control and finally start being an actual mother to her daughter, starting with calling the headmaster to get Blair into private school. When Venus discovered Nicki's plans, she slapped her and forced her to stay out of it. Nicki complied, but made the decision to start working up the courage to tell Blair the truth and break free of Venus's control. Nicki tried to get Vernon to agree to help her, but Vernon's own simultaneous fear and unconditional love of Venus shut that plan down.
Telling Blair the Truth
Nicki tried on many occasions to tell Blair the truth, but Blair's own disinterest in her "big sister" stifled any attempt at conversation. Nicki realised that she had zero connection with Blair, not as a daughter or a sister, and decided to give up, recognizing she'd never have a chance at being a proper mother. Nicki told the truth to her friend Dina Caliente, who encouraged her to be honest but not to expect a lot of happiness from the situation, warning that she could lose a relationship with Blair rather than gain one.
