Nicki Minaj Apologizes After Last-Minute Manchester Concert Cancellation Due to Amsterdam Arrest

Fans of Nicki Minaj were left disappointed and frustrated after the rapper's Manchester concert was abruptly canceled following her arrest at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam.

The US rapper, aged 41, was detained on suspicion of possessing soft drugs, leading to a delay that ultimately caused the postponement of her highly anticipated performance.

Minaj, who was fined by Dutch police and later allowed to continue her journey, took to social media to explain the situation. In a live-streamed video, she revealed that pre-rolled joints found in her bag belonged to someone else and criticized the handling of her luggage by airport security. Despite her efforts to make it to Manchester on time, the "Anaconda" star could not reach the Co-op Live arena, where 20,000 fans had been eagerly waiting.

The concertgoers were allowed into the venue at 7 pm BST and held onto hope until 9:30 pm when the announcement was made that the show would not proceed. The news was met with boos and disappointment as fans were asked to leave the arena. Imogen Pope, 18, expressed her frustration to the BBC, mentioning the cost and time invested in attending the concert. Similarly, Ellis Day, 17, and Aaron Drohan, who flew in from Ireland, voiced their disappointment over the last-minute cancellation.

On X (formerly Twitter), Minaj shared her apologies and blamed unspecified parties for sabotaging her performance.

“They succeeded at their plan to not let me get on that stage tonight”.

she wrote on X, without saying who she was referring to.

“Please please please accept my deepest & most sincere apologies. They sure did know exactly how to hurt me today but this too, shall pass.

“They’ve been doing this over & over & over & over & over again & I’ve tried so hard to not discuss it b/c [because] you guys deserve to just get the good stuff. I hate involving you in anything that isn’t for entertainment purposes only.”

She promised to reschedule the concert and provide an added bonus for ticket holders. Minaj also met with her fans, known as Barbz, outside her hotel in Manchester, where she expressed her love and apologized for the cancellation.

The incident drew criticism towards Co-op Live, with fans accusing the venue of poor management and misleading information. Alvin Christie and Eileen Allardyce, among others, highlighted the lack of communication and facilities for those waiting outside. Despite the chaotic situation, many acknowledged that the blame did not solely lie with Minaj or the venue.

Live Nation issued a statement explaining that despite Minaj's best efforts, the circumstances made it impossible to proceed with the concert. Minaj assured her fans that she would continue with her other scheduled performances, including upcoming shows in Birmingham and a second night at Co-op Live Arena.

As fans await the rescheduled date, the incident underscores the unpredictability of live events and the importance of effective communication and contingency planning.