Nicki Minaj pulls out of Romanian music festival last minute due to safety concerns

Nicki Minaj pulled out of a festival in Romania hours before she was scheduled to perform because of planned protests in the area causing "safety concerns".

The news came on Sunday, the day after she played Dublin's Malahide Castle.

Sharing a statement on social media the artist said: "Out of concern for the well-being of our team and myself, I have been advised by my security detail not to travel to Romania’s festival tonight due to safety concerns regarding protests in the area".

The 'Starships' star was scheduled to perform on the main stage at Saga Festival in Bucharest from 10.55pm to 12.10am local time.

The rapper did not specify which protests posed a safety concern however the civil society groups are scheduled to march on Bucharest Monday, July 8 according to Crisis 24.

“Business groups and taxpayers are demanding improvements to the state’s fiscal policies and processes. Demonstrators will then rally in front of the Ministry of Finance until 13:30,” Crisis 24 noted, adding that “several hundred to low thousands of protesters will take part” and that “the demonstration will likely be peaceful.”

In the statement shared by the rapper on X, Minaj said: "As a mom, I have to make sure I’m making sound decisions for me to make it home to my son and for my team to make it home to their families".

Continuing, the artist thanked fans for their support and understanding and said that she was looking forward to headlining London's Wireless festival this Friday.

Out of concern for the well-being of our team and myself, I have been advised by my security detail not to travel to Romania’s festival tonight due to safety concerns regarding protests in the area. I look forward to seeing you all at another time. As a mom, I have to make sure…

— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) July 7, 2024

This cancellation comes shortly after the rap star pulled out of a show in Amsterdam last month following on from her arrest at the city’s airport on suspicion of trying to take "soft drugs" out of the Netherlands.

The resulting delay from the arrest led to Minaj having to cancel her show at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena.  The concert was later rescheduled.