On Saturday, Nicki Minaj was due to travel from Amsterdam to Manchester in the United Kingdom to kick off her UK shows for her Pink Friday 2 Tour.
But the rapper, 41, endured a drug arrest ordeal when she was arrested for carrying "soft drugs", something she vehemently denied on social media. Spending around five or six hours in a jail cell, according to reports, Nicki was then released and free to "move on".
Although Nicki was "freed" and has since been spotted in the UK, the superstar's show in Manchester, which was due to take place last night, was cancelled. Fans were left devastated and worried for the singer. Nicki has since been seen in Manchester looking upbeat, but what really happened yesterday? Scroll on as The Mirror details a blow-by-blow account of Nicki's drug arrest ordeal and the happenings since her release.
READ MORE: Nicki Minaj pictured in Manchester as she's seen for the first time since drug arrest
Nicki Minaj arrested for 'carrying drugs'
On Saturday, the Starships rapper was travelling to Manchester for her next scheduled Pink Friday 2 Tour show. She vehemently denied she was carrying any drugs in footage shared on an Instagram Live, but was told she still needed to go to the police station.
Harry and Meghan will have 3rd baby says 'psychic' who's had 12 true predictionsIn the video, a man said she would "get a lawyer at the office". However, during the Instagram Live, Nicki said she was told to "get into this [police] van and go into the precinct with no lawyer present".
Nicki accuses staff of trying to 'plant things' in her luggage
Before the alleged arrest, Nicki shared a series of posts on social media about her bags being pulled aside to be searched at the airport. "They've been trying everything they possibly can to TRY to stop this tour," she wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
She then claimed staff were trying to "plant things" in her luggage. The musician also shared a clip on Instagram of a man telling her police needed to take a closer look at her luggage.
Alongside the clip, she wrote: "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.
"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." In the clip, an airport crew member was filmed explaining how they needed to "offload all the luggage and to search everything".
Nicki replied: "But wasn't that what you planned on doing from the get-go? Why didn't you guys search it before it went on the plane?" The staff member explained how that had been a "random, quick check" and they now wanted to open it.
Nicki continued to ask why they now wanted to search her luggage, with the man explaining: "First of all, because you filmed him [and] he doesn't believe you that you don't have more with you than you say."
Nicki hit back as she said: "No, he asked me, 'Do I have any more in those purses' and I said, 'No,' and I asked him where are my bags. They took my bags and put them on the plane before I could know what bags are on the plane."
The airport staff member apologised for what had happened. Nicki finished the video by saying: "Okay, of course."
Last-minute gig cancellation
Doors were set to open at the Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester at 7pm last night, but this was delayed following Nicki's alleged arrest. Footage shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, showed fans making their way inside at 7.15pm with many sharing pictures and posts from inside the venue as they waited for the starlet.
Jesy Nelson fans 'scream' as star drops huge music announcement after album flopHowever, at 9.38pm it was revealed that Nicki would not to take to the stage, with a tannoy announcement alerting concert goers at 9.40pm that the concert was cancelled.
Nicki released after arrest
Nicki spent between five and six hours in a jail cell after being arrested in the Netherlands. But the hitmaker was swiftly released and allowed to "move on".
A statement from the National Police Corps said a woman, 41, was arrested after allegedly trying to take soft drugs from Schiphol Airport to another country. An update from the Dutch force at around 9pm stated that it had released their "suspect and she can now move on".
The force added to the PA news agency that the woman will have to pay “a fine” which will be determined by the Public Prosecution Service. Minaj’s show at Co-op Live was originally set to have doors open at 6.30pm but this was changed to 7pm, and fans have since entered the venue.
Nicki breaks silence on arrest and gig cancellation
The superstar rapper expressed her gratitude towards her fans, known as Barbz, for their support during the incident. She shared on X, formerly Twitter: "Thank you to everyone who prayed for me today. May God cover you and all that is connected to you. May you be blessed beyond your imagination."
Nicki spotted in Manchester after arrest
Since her arrest, Nicki has been seen looking upbeat while donning some brightly coloured clothing after being released from her arrest. Looking content after being "freed", Nicki wore a hot pink puffer jacket with Fendi logos emblazoned on the collar, a bright pink beanie hat with Louis Vuitton logos on display, and some ski-style sunglasses.