Updated on 1/10/2024 at 5:45p.m. ET:
Will Nicki Minaj’s year will start off calm or is she about to be in big trouble? Well, we have answers.
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Per TMZ, the “Right By Side” rapper won’t be facing criminal charges in connection to a recent lawsuit filed against her by her former tour manager. The Detroit Prosecutor’s Office recently ruled that there was “insufficient evidence” of a crime despite local authorities requesting a warrant for her arrest. However, they did ask for police to further investigate the matter in the event that they do end up finding probable cause later.
See original story below.
Nicki Minaj’s 2025 may start off a lot differently than she likely planned if she finds herself on the losing side of a brand new lawsuit.
According to new court documents obtained by Variety over the weekend, Brandon Garret, an alleged former tour manager for the “Super Bass” rapper, is suing the artist over accusations of assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress. He’s seeking punitive, exemplary and general damages. The allegations stem from an incident back in April 2024 that allegedly happened backstage after a “Pink Friday 2" tour stop at the Little Caesar’s Arena in Detroit.
While on his way to the venue, Garrett was allegedly asked by Minaj’s head of security to meet the “Barbie World” rapper in her dressing room for a meeting. Once there, he noticed eight other members of the rapper’s staff there including a man named Luke Montgomery. Upon his arrival, Minaj allegedly began harping on people “not knowing what they are supposed to do, and who reports to who,” before turning her attention to Montgomery — who reported to Garrett and was tasked with doing various set-ups and any other additional requests.
Variety has more:
“Mr. Montgomery explained that his duties entailed tasks like venue dressing room set-up, private jet set-up, hotel room set-up, quick change room refreshments and tour bus set-up. Mr. Montgomery mentioned these duties were in addition to any requests from [Minaj] communicated by [Garrett], including food orders, drinks, personal items, baby items, and, most notably, prescriptions.”
However, it seems Garrett’s ordering of Montgomery to go get her prescriptions ticked off Minaj as she then allegedly turned her ire against Garrett, yelled at him, and later “got very close to his face” and assaulted him.
“Are you f***ing crazy having him pick up my prescription? You have lost your fucking mind and if my husband [Kenneth Petty] were here, he would knock out your fucking teeth. You’re a dead man walking. You just f***ed up your whole life and you will never be anyone, I’ll make sure of it,” Minaj is alleged to have said per court documents.
After that, Garrett claims that the “Red Ruby Da Sleeze” rapper “open-handedly struck [Garrett] on the right side of his face, causing his head to swing backwards as his hat flew off his head.” He was also allegedly hit on his right wrist which was left “throbbing.” After the incident, Garrett retreated and locked himself into a bathroom for hours. While there, he received a text message explaining that he wouldn’t be accompanying Minaj at her next tour stop in Chicago.
Lawyers for the “Chun-Li” rapper have since responded to the “frivolous” suit, telling TMZ in a statement over the weekend:
“At this time, no complaint has been served upon Mrs. Petty and therefore, we are unaware of the specific allegations. However, if the lawsuit is as reported by TMZ, it is completely false and frivolous. We are confident that the matter brought by this ex assistant will be resolved swiftly in Mrs. Petty’s favor.”
Minaj’s legal team’s skepticism aside, it’s pertinent to note that Detroit Police have now sent a warrant request that’s being reviewed. This will determine whether or not criminal charges will be issued against the popular rapper. Garrett has also since filed an official police report with the local authorities.
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