Nicki Minaj freed after being detained at Amsterdam airport, UK concert postponed
Nicki Minaj: The rapper was detained at Amsterdam's airport as she prepared to fly to England. (Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)
By Bob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
AMSTERDAM — Rapper Nicki Minaj was detained at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport on Saturday, several media outlets reported. She was later fined and released and continued to England for a scheduled concert.
Minaj, 41, posted videos on social media about the incident in The Netherlands, the BBC reported.
Update 5:07 p.m. EDT: Nicki Minaj’s concert scheduled for Saturday night in Manchester, England, was postponed after the rapper was detained in Amsterdam, The Associated Press reported.
Minaj had been scheduled to perform at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester as part of her “Pink Friday 2 World Tour,” NBC News reported.
Update 4:32 p.m. EDT May 25: Nicki Minaj was released from custody Saturday, hours after the rapper was detained by police at Amsterdam’s airport on suspicion of exporting soft drugs, authorities said.
Minaj, 41, was fined an unspecified amount and was allowed to continue her flight to Manchester, England, Dutch police said in a translated post on X, formerly known as Twitter, NBC News reported.
Original report: The 12-time Grammy Award nominee said that police discovered marijuana in her bags as she prepared to leave The Netherlands for her next concert in Manchester, England, according to The Associated Press.
Minaj, whose real name is Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, is scheduled to perform at the Co-op Live arena on Saturday night as part of her “Pink Friday 2 World Tour,” NBC News reported.
Robert Van Kapel, a spokesperson for the Netherlands military police, said a 41-year-old American woman had been arrested for exporting “soft drugs,” according to the AP. He did not identify the woman or elaborate on the type of drugs that were confiscated.
A statement given to the PA agency by Dutch police confirmed that the woman remained under arrest as of Saturday night, NBC News reported.
Minaj tweeted about the encounter with Dutch officials.
“They took my luggage without consent,” the rapper wrote in one post.
In another, she noted that “This is Amsterdam btw (by the way), where weed is legal,” according to NBC News.
In a third tweet, Minaj wrote, “Told you, it’s to try to make me late so that they can write negative stories. Jealousy is a disease. You know the rest.”
Representatives for Minaj did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment, the AP reported.
Minaj, a former “American Idol” judge, played a show in Amsterdam’s Ziggo Dome on Thursday, according to The Guardian. She is due to return to The Netherlands for another show on June 2.
Photos: Nicki Minaj through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 13: Rapper Nicki Minaj (L) presents Eminem the Best Rap Album Award for "Recovery" onstage during The 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 13, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Photos: Nicki Minaj through the years NEW YORK - MARCH 31: Recording artist Nicki Minaj visits BET's 106 & Park at BET Studios on March 31, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images) (Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
Photos: Nicki Minaj through the years LAS VEGAS, NV - SEPTEMBER 24: Singer Nicki Minaj performs at the iHeartRadio Music Festival at the MGM Grand Garden Arena September 24, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Clear Channel) (Ethan Miller)
Photos: Nicki Minaj through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 11: Recording artists Pitbull and Nicki Minaj speak onstage during the 2011 American Music Awards Nominees Press Conference at JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE on October 11, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for DCP) (Kevin Winter)
Photos: Nicki Minaj through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 06: Rapper/singer Nicki Minaj arrives at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards at Staples Center on September 6, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images) (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Photos: Nicki Minaj through the years NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 24: Nicki Minaj attends the Nicki Minaj "Pink Friday" Fragrance Launch Event at Macy's Herald Square on September 24, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images) (Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images)
Photos: Nicki Minaj through the years LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 19: Singer Nicki Minaj arrives at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 19, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) (David Becker/Getty Images)
Photos: Nicki Minaj through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 28: Hip-hop artist Nicki Minaj, winner of Best Female Hip Hop Artist and the Coca Cola Viewers' Choice Awards, poses in the press room during the 2015 BET Awards at the Microsoft Theater on June 28, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Earl Gibson III/Getty Images for BET) (Earl Gibson III/Getty Images for BET)
Photos: Nicki Minaj through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 30: Rapper Nicki Minaj attends the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on August 30, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Photos: Nicki Minaj through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Rapper Nicki Minaj speaks onstage at A+E Networks "Shining A Light" concert at The Shrine Auditorium on November 18, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for A+E Networks) (Christopher Polk)
Photos: Nicki Minaj through the years LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 31: Recording artist Nicki Minaj performs at Drai's Beach Club - Nightclub at the Cromwell Las Vegas during a New Year's Eve celebration on December 31, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Bryan Steffy/Getty Images for Drai's Beachclub-Nightclub) (Bryan Steffy)
Photos: Nicki Minaj through the years NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 15: Rapper Nicki Minaj attends TIDAL X: 1015 on October 15, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images for TIDAL) (Brad Barket)
Photos: Nicki Minaj through the years WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - APRIL 02: Kim Kardashian West (L) and honoree Nicki Minaj attend the Daily Front Row's 3rd Annual Fashion Los Angeles Awards at Sunset Tower Hotel on April 2, 2017 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images) (Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
Photos: Nicki Minaj through the years INGLEWOOD, CA - AUGUST 27: Nicki Minaj performs onstage during the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 27, 2017 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Photos: Nicki Minaj through the years INGLEWOOD, CA - AUGUST 27: (Editors Note: Image converted to Black and White) Nicki Minaj attends the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 27, 2017 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Photos: Nicki Minaj through the years NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 13: Rapper Nicki Minaj attends the Marc Jacobs Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week at Park Avenue Armory on September 13, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Ben Gabbe/Getty Images) (Ben Gabbe/Getty Images)
Photos: Nicki Minaj through the years NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 16: Nicki Minaj performs onstage during the Meadows Music and Arts Festival - Day 2 at Citi Field on September 16, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images) (Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images)
Photos: Nicki Minaj through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Singer Nicki Minaj performs onstage during the 2016 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 20, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Photos: Nicki Minaj through the years NEW YORK, NY - MAY 01: Nicki Minaj attends the "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between" Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for People.com) (Mike Coppola)
Photos: Nicki Minaj through the years LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 21: Rapper Nicki Minaj performs during the 2017 Billboard Music Awards at T-Mobile Arena on May 21, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photos: Nicki Minaj through the years NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 26: Nicki Minaj performs on stage during the 2017 NBA Awards Live On TNT on June 26, 2017 in New York City. 27111_001 (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for TNT ) (Michael Loccisano)
Photos: Nicki Minaj through the years NEW YORK, NY - MAY 07: Recording artist Nicki Minaj attends the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Huffington Post) (Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Huffington Post)
Photos: Nicki Minaj through the years NEW YORK, NY - MAY 07: Nicki Minaj attends the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Huffington Post) (Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Huffington Post)
Photos: Nicki Minaj through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 24: Nicki Minaj performs onstage at the 2018 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 24, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images for BET) (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images for BET)
Photos: Nicki Minaj through the years NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 20: Nicki Minaj attends the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall on August 20, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for MTV) (Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for MTV)
Photos: Nicki Minaj through the years NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 20: Nicki Minaj attends the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards Press Room at Radio City Music Hall on August 20, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Matthew Eisman/Getty Images) (Matthew Eisman/Getty Images)
Photos: Nicki Minaj through the years NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 07: Nicki Minaj exits the MONSE show at NYFW: The Shows 2018 on September 7, 2018 in New York City.(Photo by Anna Webber/Getty Images for IMG) (Anna Webber/Getty Images for IMG)
Photos: Nicki Minaj through the years NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 12: Nicki Minaj attends the Marc Jacobs Spring 2019 Runway during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Park Avenue Armory on September 12, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for Marc Jacobs) (Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for Marc Jacobs)
Photos: Nicki Minaj through the years BILBAO, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 04: Nicki Minaj poses in the Winners room after winning Best Hip Hop Award and Best Looking Award during the MTV EMAs 2018 at Bilbao Exhibition Centre on November 4, 2018 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images for MTV) (Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images for MTV)
Photos: Nicki Minaj through the years BILBAO, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 04: Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall of Little Mix, Nicki Minaj, Perrie Edwards and Jesy Nelson of Little Mix perform on stage during the MTV EMAs 2018 at Bilbao Exhibition Centre on November 4, 2018 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images for MTV) (Ian Gavan/Getty Images for MTV)
Photos: Nicki Minaj through the years NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 06: Nicki Minaj attends The 2019 Met Gala Celebrating Camp: Notes on Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 06, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images) (Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
Photos: Nicki Minaj through the years LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 12: Nicki Minaj accepts the Gamechanger Award onstage during Billboard Women In Music 2019, presented by YouTube Music, on December 12, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for Billboard) (Rich Fury/Getty Images for Billboard)
Photos: Nicki Minaj through the years NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 12: Nicki Minaj attends the Marc Jacobs Fall 2020 runway show during New York Fashion Week on February 12, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Marc Jacobs) (DIMITRIOS KAMBOURIS/Getty Images for Marc Jacobs)
Photos: Nicki Minaj through the years LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 03: Rapper Nicki Minaj attends the game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on February 03, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) (Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
Photos: Nicki Minaj through the years NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 02: Nicki Minaj attends The 2022 Met Gala Celebrating "In America: An Anthology of Fashion" at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue) (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/)