Nicki Minaj's fans 'pissed' as Co-op show postponed after her arrest in Amsterdam for 'carrying drugs'

MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM: Nicki Minaj's scheduled performance at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester on Saturday night, May 25, was abruptly canceled due to her arrest in Amsterdam. 

She was detained on suspicion of involvement in the exportation of soft drugs. Minaj was later fined and released by the police, but by then, it was already hours past the scheduled start time of her show.

Fans can be heard saying ‘Free Nicki Minaj’ after her arrest

Despite the 41-year-old star's detention on suspicion of possessing soft drugs at Schiphol Airport, thousands of fans were permitted entry into the scheduled venue as per DailyMail.

Videos surfaced of supporters forming queues in anticipation of the scheduled gig, chanting 'Free Nicki Minaj' in the hopes of her timely arrival in the UK for the performance.

Inside the Co-op Live, the UK's largest indoor arena boasting a capacity of 23,500, fans patiently awaited Minaj's arrival, though updates on her whereabouts were scarce.

When an announcement was finally made, fans reacted with boos and disbelief, while organizers expressed deep disappointment over the inconvenience caused. 

Ticketholders were directed into the arena, where thousands had already taken their seats before learning of the cancellation. This incident marks the latest setback for the problem-plagued Co-Op Live Arena, which faced numerous cancellations before its opening last month.

How did Nicki Minaj’s fans react after her concert got postponed?

According to Amsterdam's Royal Military Constabulary statement, a 41-year-old American woman, who had been apprehended earlier at Schiphol Airport on suspicion of involvement in the exportation of soft drugs, had been released. 

The statement continued, "After consultation with the Public Prosecution Service, the suspect was fined and can continue her journey."

In an interview with Sky News at approximately 9:15 pm, Major Robert van Kapel of the military police disclosed that the woman had been released from their custody roughly 20 minutes prior. He declined to divulge further details regarding her onward travel plans.

Fans expressed uncertainty about attending the rescheduled performance.

Frankie Harper, 20, from Andover, Hampshire, voiced his distress, claiming, "(I'm) distraught to say the least. It definitely hurts more that it was on my birthday. Not sure what happens with the £100s that you spend on a train and hotel".

Nord Herida, 23, from Barnsley, shared his frustration, feeling that time was "being wasted" inside the arena before the postponement. He mentioned that he and his friend had arrived at the venue at 1 pm, with his friend having traveled four hours from Ipswich. 

Mr Herida expressed, "(I'm) pissed not (going to) lie, they have taken this long to tell us, Like I work, I can't just take a day off."

Nicki Minaj’s concert organizers shared a promise

Co-op Live organizers announced that Nicki Minaj's planned concert at Manchester's Co-op Live on Saturday, May 25, has been postponed. They assured, "Tickets will remain valid for the rescheduled performance which will be announced ASAP."

Despite Nicki's extensive efforts to ensure the show could proceed as planned, unforeseen events rendered it impossible. The organizers expressed, "We are deeply disappointed by the inconvenience this has caused. More information will be available at your point of purchase."

How did Nicki Minaj react?

Nicki Minaj ceased her activity on social media around 4 pm today after posting on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. In these posts, she recounted being informed by the police that drugs were discovered in her luggage during customs inspection. 

She stated that marijuana was found and her security had already informed authorities that the items belonged to them, not her.

Additionally, Minaj claimed that her luggage was taken by customs officials, and she shared a video on Instagram showing someone resembling a Schiphol Airport employee stating that her filming of security checks prompted a reevaluation of her luggage, resulting in further scrutiny. 

She further alleged, "They've been trying to stop me from coming to every show. They took my bags before I could see them. Put it on the plane. Now saying they're waiting on customs.”

Internet divided after Nicki Minaj’s concert got postponed due to her arrest

Following the announcement of Nicki Minaj's concert postponement due to her arrest on suspicion of drug exportation, numerous individuals have voiced their opinions on DailyMail.

One user said, “Lack of discipline.” Another wrote, “If she had drugs, she is stupid. She will get off easy because of her status. If she is a decent person she would reschedule the Manchester show at no cost to ticket holders. But she doesn't come across as a decent person.”

A third user commented, “Instead of just admitting that she should not have tried to export the weed, she says she was targeted to stop her concert. No brains enormous ego.”

A fourth user mocked, “She's pretty lucky that it was discovered in Amsterdam, had it been discovered in Manchester there's no way it would have been a quick fine and on your way.” 

A last added, “This arena is cursed.”

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.