Early Sunday morning, rapper Nicki Minaj apologized to fans gathered outside her Manchester hotel for postponing her UK show after being detained by Dutch authorities on suspicion of drug possession.
“I love you and I’m so sorry this happened tonight,” Minaj expressed in a social media video.
Minaj had previously announced her Manchester hotel location in a post on X, encouraging fans to visit. “I’m going on the balcony so if you’re outside I’ll be able to see you & I may come downstairs. I’ll be out there for about an hour. Rlly (really) wanted to at least get to see you,” she said.
Despite being released from police custody on Saturday evening, Minaj’s scheduled concert in Manchester for that night was canceled.
In a joint statement from Live Nation and the concert venue Co-op Live, organizers conveyed their disappointment over the situation. “Despite Nicki’s best efforts to explore every possible avenue to make tonight’s show happen, the events of today have made it impossible,” the statement read.
A video on Minaj’s Instagram Live, which was later shared across various social media platforms, shows her interacting with police at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport while filming with her phone.
In the video, Minaj refers to “pre-rolls they found,” and is seen being escorted out of her vehicle and directed to enter a police van. When she inquires why she must get in the van, an officer states she is “under arrest,” later clarifying it was for “carrying drugs.” Minaj asserts, “I’m not carrying drugs.”
Throughout the clip, Minaj repeatedly asks for the police station’s address and legal representation while the officers request she stop filming.
When contacted by CNN using Minaj’s legal name, Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee (the Netherlands military police) confirmed they had detained a 41-year-old American woman at Schiphol Airport for possessing “soft drugs.”
Later that Saturday, the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee announced that the detained woman had been released “on suspicion of exporting soft
drugs.” Their statement elaborated, “Following consultation with the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the suspect received a monetary fine and is now permitted to continue her journey.”
CNN has reached out to Minaj’s representatives for further comments.
Nicki Minaj is currently on her Pink Friday 2 World Tour, promoting her latest album, which was released late last year. She performed in Amsterdam on Thursday night and is scheduled to perform in Birmingham, UK, on Sunday night. Another concert is planned at Co-op Live in Manchester on Thursday, May 30.
This incident has caused significant disruption to her tour schedule. Minaj’s fans, who were eagerly anticipating the Manchester performance, were left disappointed by the last-minute cancellation. The artist’s efforts to engage with her fans despite the circumstances highlight her dedication and connection to her audience.
The incident at Schiphol Airport started when Minaj was stopped by authorities who claimed to have found pre-rolled joints in her possession. The video, which captured part of her interaction with the police, shows Minaj expressing confusion and repeatedly asserting her innocence. The arrest and subsequent release, accompanied by a fine, have sparked discussions among fans and the media about the challenges and scrutiny celebrities often face, particularly when traveling internationally.
Minaj’s ability to address her fans directly through social media provided some solace to those who had been looking forward to her performance. Her public apology and explanation about the unforeseen circumstances demonstrate her commitment to maintaining transparency and honesty with her supporters.
The organizers, Live Nation and Co-op Live, expressed their frustration over the unavoidable cancellation, acknowledging the extensive efforts made by Minaj to proceed with the show despite the legal hurdles. Their statement underscores the complexity and unpredictability of organizing international tours, where unforeseen events can disrupt even the best-laid plans.
Minaj’s Pink Friday 2 World Tour continues to attract significant attention, with fans eagerly following her journey across various cities. The upcoming performances in Birmingham and the rescheduled Manchester show are highly anticipated, and many hope that the remaining tour dates will proceed without further complications.
As the situation unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the various challenges artists face while on tour, from logistical issues to legal entanglements. Nicki Minaj’s experience highlights the importance of resilience and adaptability in the face of unexpected obstacles, reinforcing her status not only as a talented performer but also as a dedicated and resilient figure in the music industry.
