Rapper and public figure Nicki Minaj has been the jab of news headlines for the past three days. Major publications capitalised on Nicki’s tweets, reverting to using them out of context and portraying her as an-anti-vaxxer. The Met, the Whitehouse, Boris Johnson and the Trinidad Health Minister all got involved in the convoluted puzzle, but what actually happened?
There are a few parts to the story, so get ready for a deep dive.
1. The Met
It really all started with the Met. After it was confirmed that Nicki Minaj wouldn’t be attending fashion and pop culture’s love child, the Met Gala people started racing to conclusions as to why. Nicki had stated that her child is the reason for not attending, as she didn’t wish to leave her baby. However, media outlets pulled a tweet of hers that mentioned the Met, and pegged it as the reason for her lack of attendance. This tweet became the bread and butter for headlines.
They want you to get vaccinated for the Met. if I get vaccinated it won’t for the Met. It’ll be once I feel I’ve done enough research. I’m working on that now. In the meantime my loves, be safe. Wear the mask with 2 strings that grips your head & face. Not that loose one ?♥️
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) September 13, 2021
However, it was taken out of context. The actual context referred to reasons why Nicki would get vaccinated, stating that it wouldn’t be just for the sake of the Met.
2. Her Trinidad cousin and his friend’s swollen balls
The other headline that saw Nicki’s name in bold referred to her tweet regarding her Trinidad cousin’s friend, who took the vaccine and ended up with swollen testicles. People claimed that this was another anti-vaxx approach, indicating that Nicki should’ve been careful with what she shared with an audience of over 22 million followers.
This is where the Trinidad and Tobago Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh got involved and addressed the matter.
He expressed that: “One of the reasons why we could not respond yesterday in real-time to Miss Minaj is that we had to check and make sure that what she was claiming was either true or false. Unfortunately, we wasted so much time yesterday running down this false claim.”
However, reading careful, this is not her opinion, but the opinion of her cousin.
My cousin in Trinidad won’t get the vaccine cuz his friend got it & became impotent. His testicles became swollen. His friend was weeks away from getting married, now the girl called off the wedding. So just pray on it & make sure you’re comfortable with ur decision, not bullied
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) September 13, 2021
The tweet people ignored to make anti-vaxxer claims however, was this one, where she had tweeted that same day that she’d “def recommend they get the vaccine.”
I know babe. A lot of countries won’t let ppl work w/o the vaccine. I’d def recommend they get the vaccine. They have to feed their families. I’m sure I’ll b vaccinated as well cuz I have to go on tour, etc. https://t.co/7SK5Df0yBf
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) September 13, 2021
She also asked people for their own opinions on which vaccine they’d recommend for her Radio show, QueenRadio. Again, not particularly anti-vaxx in nature.
Which vaccine would you recommend? It’s #QueenRadio time. Talk to me
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) September 13, 2021
3. Nicki vs the media
Adding all of the out-of-context tweets together, the media started blasting Nicki, to which she fired back, pointing out the lack of context.
This is what happens when you’re so thirsty to down another black woman (by the request of the white man), that you didn’t bother to read all my tweets. “My God SISTER do better” imagine getting ur dumb ass on tv a min after a tweet to spread a false narrative about a black woman https://t.co/4UviONyTHy
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) September 14, 2021
? Pls show me where I said I’m “worried about” anything. Yes. I’m glad you guys get to see how the media REALLY works. I’ll have them contacted along with others. ?♥️? https://t.co/NKdJkQpswt
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) September 14, 2021
3 lies in a row from huge news platforms. I cited my young child as why I didn’t want to travel. But notice how NONE of them mentioned that? Ask yourself why that was. pic.twitter.com/vQjorbKCCO
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) September 14, 2021
Im glad u adding it all up. https://t.co/KrSEjhmbB3
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) September 14, 2021
4. Political figures start getting involved
Boris Johnson got involved in what media outlets like the Independent called a bizarre war of words.
I love him even tho I guess this was a diss? The accent ugh! Yassss boo!!!
???????? https://t.co/kXdKteVc7j— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) September 14, 2021
Not Nicki making it on Stephen Colbert ?? What is this? ? pic.twitter.com/t8LK0YXjIo
— ????????? ❆ (@onikadrip) September 15, 2021
5. The Whitehouse
Nicki tweeted that she was invited to the White House. This part of the story remains somewhat blurry.
The White House has invited me & I think it’s a step in the right direction. Yes, I’m going. I’ll be dressed in all pink like Legally Blonde so they know I mean business. I’ll ask questions on behalf of the ppl who have been made fun of for simply being human. #BallGate day 3 https://t.co/PSa3WcEjH3
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) September 15, 2021
According to Politico, The White House didn’t immediately respond when asked if they had invited her. However, it is alleged that a White House official said: “As we have with others, we offered a call with Nicki Minaj and one of our doctors to answer questions she has about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine.”
“The White House says it offered Nicki Minaj a phone call with medical experts, not a visit,”- NBC news stated.
To these claims, Nicki responded:
“Do y’all think that I would go on the Internet and lie about being invited to the… White House?” she said on Instagram as per Sky News.
Picture: Instagram/ posted by@NickiMinaj