{blackbabes} Nicki's tiny drama escalates

Just like Mariah Carey "doesn't do" stairs, Nicki Minaj doesn't do escalators. The super-hot R&B diva rocked patterned leggings and sky-high turquoise stilettos at Saturday night's National Basketball Players Association Gala in Los Angeles, then refused to ride down the escalator one floor at the JW Marriott at LA Live to pose on the red carpet. Sources say: "There was a little drama. . . . She had time before she was due to go onstage, but she couldn't be persuaded. But the photographers and crews were desperate for her picture, so they all had to come upstairs and hustle backstage to get the shot . . . Nicki was polite and posed up." The now-blonde Queens-bred star later turned on the charm and wowed the crowd, which included players from all 30 NBA teams, as she took the stage at the Ciroc-sponsored bash a little after midnight. Her rep didn't get back to us.