Nicki Minaj in New York City.Dia Dipasupil / FilmMagic
Nicki Minaj was released from custody Saturday after being arrested in the Netherlands on suspicion of exporting soft drugs. The arrest occurred as she was traveling from Amsterdam to Manchester, England, for a concert on her “Pink Friday 2 World Tour.” Authorities fined Minaj and allowed her to “continue her journey.”
H2: Nicki Minaj’s Arrest and Release
Minaj, 41, was on her way to perform at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester. However, the concert was postponed due to her detainment. Live Nation UK expressed disappointment, saying, “Despite Nicki’s best efforts to explore every possible avenue to make tonight’s show happen, the events of today have made it impossible.”
Tickets for the postponed concert will remain valid for the rescheduled date. Dutch police did not disclose the identity of the arrested person but confirmed that a 41-year-old American woman was detained at Schiphol Airport for possession of soft drugs. When questioned if it was Minaj, a spokesperson confirmed the incident.
In a social media post early Sunday, Minaj detailed her experience, stating she arrived at her Manchester hotel after spending 5-6 hours in a jail cell. “After sitting in a jail cell for 5-6 hours, my plane still didn’t take off for another 20 mins once I boarded the 50-minute flight from Amsterdam,” she wrote.
Minaj apologized to her fans, saying, “Please please please accept my deepest & most sincere apologies. They sure did know exactly how to hurt me today but this too, shall pass.” She hopes to announce the rescheduled concert date soon, considering options in June and July.
Despite the setback, Minaj confirmed she would still perform the second show in Manchester on Thursday and proceed with her Birmingham concert on Sunday. “I’ll find a way to not only make up the date with the performance but I’m going to create an added bonus for everyone that had a tkt for this show. Promise,” she said.
Earlier Saturday, Minaj shared multiple social media posts about the incident. In one video on X, an airport official tells her they need to search her luggage. Minaj responds, questioning why the search wasn’t conducted earlier. The official mentions a “random quick check” but insists on opening the luggage.
In subsequent posts, Minaj expressed her belief that people were trying to sabotage her tour. “They took my luggage & when I asked where it is they said it’s on the plane. It couldn’t have been, I just pulled up,” she said. “I never gave them my bags. They’re refusing to let me see my own bags.”
Minaj further claimed, “They’re being paid big money to try to sabotage my tour b/c soooooo many ppl are mad that it’s this successful & they can’t eat off me. They got caught stealing money from my travel/jets. Got fired. Got mad. Etc.”
She also suggested the incident was a ploy to plant items in her luggage. “This is how they plant things in your luggage,” she wrote. Minaj asserted she has video evidence and will let her lawyers and divine intervention handle the situation.
During an Instagram Live session, Minaj filmed police instructing her to get into a van to be taken to the station. On X, she mentioned being required to “go 5 mins away to make a statement about my security to the police precinct.”
Nicki Minaj’s ordeal highlights the challenges and unexpected hurdles celebrities can face while on tour, yet she remains committed to her fans and her performances.
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