Nicki Minaj’s concert at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester was abruptly postponed after her arrest in the Netherlands.
The 41-year-old American rapper was detained at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport for allegedly possessing soft drugs.
Minaj, who eventually landed in Manchester late on Saturday night, apologized to her fans for the delay, expressing her gratitude and asking for their understanding via social media.
Initially, the arena announced a delay in opening its doors, hoping Minaj would arrive in time. However, she was released from custody just before 9 PM and was fined for attempting to export soft drugs.
Despite her release, Minaj was unable to reach Manchester in time for the show. Early Sunday, she posted a live stream from Manchester, showing her interaction with fans who had gathered.
Live Nation, the concert promoter, confirmed that the event would be rescheduled, assuring fans that their tickets would remain valid.
They expressed their disappointment over the unforeseen circumstances and the inconvenience caused to the fans who had eagerly awaited the performance.
Minaj had documented her ordeal on social media, detailing how Dutch police found weed in her luggage and accusing them of stalling her travel to Manchester.
She pointed out the irony of her situation, given that marijuana is legal in Amsterdam, and criticized the handling of her luggage without consent.
The arrest was confirmed by Robert van Kapel, a spokesman for the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee military police, adding to the heartbreak of fans who had traveled from various locations to see Minaj perform.
Her popular songs like “Starships,” “Super Bass,” and “Anaconda” have made her concerts highly anticipated events, amplifying the disappointment of the last-minute postponement.
The news of the postponement made her fans sad, most especially those who had travelled from different cities, just to attend her show.
