Nicki Minaj fans in Manchester were left fuming after her concert was abruptly postponed just before showtime.
The American rapper's performance at the Co-op Live arena was scrapped due to her arrest at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport for potential possession of drugs.
Dutch police reported that Minaj was fined and then permitted to continue her journey, but the delay caused her to miss the concert.
Approximately 20,000 fans waited for hours inside the venue before the announcement, leaving many frustrated.
Fans leaving Manchester Co-op Live venue (Courtesy: REUTERS)
“I spent a lot on this trip and wasted time waiting,” one fan told BBC, echoing the sentiments of many attendees who criticised the lack of communication from the arena.
Social media footage showed the concert was still planned to go ahead until late in the evening, fueling fan disappointment.
Minaj took to social media to express her apologies, claiming she spent “five to six hours” in jail and arrived at her hotel around midnight.
Earlier, the rapper posted a video of herself speaking to an airport official with the caption, “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.”
She added, “This is what it looks like when ppl are paid big money to try to sabotage a tour after all else failed. Everything they’ve done is illegal.”
The star also reportedly promised a rescheduled date with an “added bonus” for ticket holders.
Fans leaving the Manchester Co-op Live venue (Courtesy: REUTERS)
The incident comes amidst a string of problems for the Co-op Live arena, which has seen postponements for artists like Olivia Rodrigo and Take That due to technical issues.
While some fans like Shaz Shah defended Minaj, others criticised her history of running late and questioned the arena's handling of the situation.
The rapper documented parts of her arrest on social media, including a video where an officer appears to tell her she's under arrest. Minaj denied carrying drugs and highlighted the confusing legalities surrounding marijuana use in Amsterdam.
Live Nation, the concert's promoters, released a statement confirming the postponement and expressed their regret for the inconvenience.
Minaj is scheduled to continue her tour in Birmingham on Sunday, with upcoming stops in London and Glasgow before returning to Manchester on Thursday.
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