Nicki Minaj is facing assault charges stemming from an incident that allegedly occurred backstage after a concert in Detroit in April 2023. According to legal documents filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on January 3, the plaintiff, Brandon Garrett, claims he was assaulted by Minaj, who is also known by her real name, Onika Maraj, while he was working as the day-to-day manager for her 2024 Pink Friday 2 tour.
In the complaint, Garrett alleges that the altercation took place on April 21, when he was called backstage to Minaj’s dressing room. He claims that during this encounter, Minaj, along with her former manager, confronted him about a colleague picking up Minaj’s prescription. Garrett stated that the conversation escalated, leading to Minaj becoming visibly angry and threatening.
The incident reportedly escalated further when Minaj allegedly slapped Garrett in the face and subsequently struck him on the wrist, after which several members of her security team intervened. Following the altercation, Garrett claimed he felt unsafe and locked himself in a bathroom for several hours to protect himself. He later texted his fiancée about the incident, citing physical pain and emotional distress.
Garrett eventually filed police reports with both the Chicago Police Department and in Detroit, citing fear for his safety after the alleged assault. He is suing Minaj for intentional infliction of emotional distress, assault, and battery, seeking various forms of damages.
As of now, a representative for Minaj has not responded to requests for comments regarding the situation. Garrett’s allegations bring to light serious concerns surrounding safety and well-being in the entertainment industry.