Nicki Minaj has issued a statement on social media after her Co-op Live gig was cancelled HOURS after fans had entered the arena.
She had been arrested in Amsterdam on Saturday afternoon and was ‘sitting in a jail cell for 5-6 hours’, but it had initially looked like she would still make her gig here in Manchester.
Alas, several hours after she was due to take to the stage, fans inside the venue were told it had been postponed.
And since breaking her silence on the drama at the new Co-op Live arena, fans flocked to the hotel she’s staying in to show their support.
Videos show hundreds of Barbz (the name given to her fans) dressed in pink cheering for her outside the Stock Exchange last night.
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Nicki had tweeted that she’d come out to the balcony or downstairs to see everyone.
She later said: “I hear yall. How did yall get here so fast?!? Finally a smile. Thank you. 2 mins. But not so loud. It’s almost 2 in the morning ppl tryna sleep.”
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In her statement about the cancelled gig, Nicki said that she was ‘so grateful’ to the Co-op Live arena, which ‘was willing to go past 11pm’ to accommodate The Pink Friday 2 World Tour.
She also said that they are already discussing a new date as a priority, and that she will ‘create an added bonus for everyone that had a ticket for this show. Promise.’
Nicki Minaj’s full statement said: “Thank you to everyone who prayed for me today. May God cover you & all that is connected to you. May you be blessed beyond your imagination.
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“Barbz, I’m @ the stock exchange hotel in #Manchester. I arrived a little over an hour ago. After sitting in a jail cell for 5-6 hours, my plane still didn’t take off for another 20 mins once I boarded. The flight was 50 mins. 50 mins.
“That’s why they had to do the big song & dance b/c they knew I’d still find a way to perform even if it came down to my last 90 mins in the building which would have been until 1130pm. The building was willing to go past 11pm. So grateful to them for that.
“So they succeeded at their plan to not let me get on that stage tonight. I succeeded @ getting to the root of it all by recording them & posting everything in real time. I have sooooooooo much video evidence. You wouldn’t believe it if I told you. I’ll have the lawyers & GOD take it from here tho.
“Please please please accept my deepest & most sincere apologies. They sure did know exactly how to hurt me today but this too, shall pass. They’ve been doing this over & over & over & over & over again & I’ve tried so hard to not discuss it b/c you guys deserve to just get the good stuff. I hate involving you in anything that isn’t for entertainment purposes only.
“We will have another date for tonight’s show shortly & I’ll probably be able to share it tmrw. One July option & one June option is currently being discussed. I’ll find a way to not only make up the date with the performance but I’m going to create an added bonus for everyone that had a tkt for this show. Promise.
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“I’ll STILL be performing at the 2nd #Manchester show on the 30th. 5 days away. I’ll STILL be performing in #Birmingham tmrw ok Barbz Love you.”
FA confirm date and kick-off time for 2024 Manchester derby Community Shield
Danny Jones
The FA has finally confirmed the date and scheduled kick-off time for the 2024 Community Shield between Manchester United and Manchester City.
It was only last month that we saw the second-ever Manchester derby FA Cup final in history play out and now we’ll see the two teams return to the capital in just over a month and a half for another clash.
Revealing the Community Shield details on Wednesday, this year’s game will take place at 3pm on Saturday, 10 August.
Best getting booking them train tickets, Manc.
This year’s Community Shield kick-off time will be identical to the last two FA Cups. (Credit: Ratchet8865 via Wikimedia Commons)
With Man City having won a record fourth Premier League in a row and Man United getting one over on the Blues against the odds in last season’s FA Cup final, the neighbours will take each other on for just the third time in the history of the Community Shield – United having prevailed in both of the previous.
The Red Devils have won the title a total of 17 times, while the Cityzens have lifted the pre-season trophy just six times.
Given the nature of the rivalry, the kick-off time comes as little surprise, with 3pm having been chosen for the start of the last two Manchester derbies at Wembley to aid with travel and crowd control.
Nevertheless, an increased police presence will once again be expected in London.
While featuring in the Community Shield has been a regular occurrence for City over the past few years, they have only won two under Pep Guardiola. Meanwhile, this will be Erik ten Hag’s first experience of the fixture and United haven’t taken part in it since they last won the FA Cup in the 2016/17 season.
The match will be televised live on ITV 1, ITVX, STV and STV Player, with comprehensive radio coverage from BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Manchester, BBC World Service, TalkSPORT and TalkSPORT International.
Although the allocations and further ticket information remain unclear, the FA said they will announce all of the important details “at the earliest opportunity”.
Popular online beauty retailer LOOKFANTASTIC to open new ‘concept’ store in Altrincham
Emily Sergeant
One of the UK’s most popular online beauty retailers is set to open a brand-new ‘concept’ store here in Greater Manchester.
That’s right, Altrincham‘s getting itself a shiny new resident, as LOOKFANTASTIC is moving in.
Gearing up to open its doors in the heart of the Trafford town’s centre in just a couple of months time, the exciting new store is set to offer shoppers a “unique opportunity” to explore and discover products from some of the world’s most renowned and best-loved beauty brands – with more than 90 big names on offer.
Sol de Janeiro, Color WOW, and Yves Saint Laurent are just some of the world-leading and designer brands set to be stocked on the shelves of the new concept.
Popular online beauty retailer LOOKFANTASTIC to open new ‘concept’ store in Altrincham /
The new 5,392 sq ft Stamford Quarter space – which will take up two units on George Street – is the first time the company has ever opened a physical store.
It’s expected to be an extension of LOOKFANTASTIC’s “digitally native authority in beauty” and will provide a “customer-centric” and “experiential” retail experience when it officially throws open its doors this September.
“We’re excited to bring the LOOKFANTASTIC experience to life with our concept store,” commented Lucy Gorman, who is the Chief Executive Officer at THG Beauty.
“This innovative retail space goes beyond products, offering a unique and immersive beauty destination… as customers can discover and purchase from their favourite brands, and also enjoy beauty services, bringing digital beauty into the third dimension in a whole new way.”
Daisy Jackson -
26th May 2024 
