Category: The Netherlands

Viewers of Britain’s Got Talent split over magician Jack Rhodes advancing to the final – with fans noting he’s the only British act to make it through

British magician Jack Rhodes and Japanese Double Dutch group Haribow have joined the Britain’s Got Talent grand final line-up.

Judge Simon Cowell said nuclear engineer-turned-magician Jack is ‘the favourite to win the entire competition’ after a ‘jaw-dropping’ performance during the second live semi-final of the ITV talent competition on Tuesday.

Japanese skipping group Haribow also won a spot in Sunday’s final after Simon said they were ‘one of the best acts we’ve ever had’ based on ‘skill and being unique’.

The pair join South African opera singer Innocent Masuku and South Korean taekwondo group Ssaulabi Performance Troupe on the bill for the final after they were voted through on Monday.

And, despite viewers complaining about the lack of British acts featuring in the semi-finals so far, some show fans were unimpressed Jack had made it through to the last round of the competition even though he hails from the UK.

British magician Jack Rhodes (pictured) and Japanese Double Dutch group Haribow have joined the Britain’s Got Talent grand final line-up – with viewers divided by the result

Japanese skipping group Haribow also won a spot in Sunday’s final after Simon said they were ‘one of the best acts we’ve ever had’ based on ‘skill and being unique’

The second live semi-final of the week saw magic man Jack receive the most votes from the public and win an automatic final place, after a performance involving card tricks, dynamite and the magician breaking out of a TV.

‘You really are one in a million, you’ve got everything,’ Simon said, while fellow judge Alesha Dixon added: ‘I love the fact that you take the mickey out of yourself, but actually you are a show-off in the best way.’

Voicing their opinion on Jack on social media, one person wrote on Twitter: ‘Jack Rhodes is a nice bloke. And he’s British! Yeehah!’

They added: ‘A little bit of faith has been restored in the voting public. Jack Rhodes going through is absolutely the correct choice.’

Another person wrote: ‘Congratulations to Jack Rhodes as the sole British representative in #BritainsGotTalent #BGT.’

While someone else shared: ‘Jack Rhodes winning tonight’s show. Can’t lie I’m shocked I didn’t think he was that good.’

‘Jack won the public vote? Jack? Erm OK,’ posted someone else.

While another audience member at home wrote: ‘Wasn’t impressed with the winning #bgtact Jack Rhodes. A lot of smoke and mirrors for a very basic trick.’

Despite viewers complaining about the lack of British acts featuring in the semi-finals so far, some show fans were unimpressed Jack had made it through to the last round

Congratulating him, someone else posted: ‘Well done Jack Rhodes. What a magician – the best I’ve seen just awesome.’

But someone else offered: ‘Jack Rhode’s act could barely be called magic. Didn’t get into the box, that was a double, moved to the TV box when dark, box under TV was 45 degree mirror, he found Simon’s card by….well….his eyes?’

‘People slating Jack Rhodes act. I’d like to see you climb out of a tv,’ wrote someone else as they defended him.

But another person wrote simply: ‘Jack Rhodes sucks.’

One other person declared: ‘Jack Rhodes shouldn’t have made the final His act was boring and he took too long to get going with the main magic trick.’

And someone else commented: ‘Hopefully Jack will be better in the final. He WAS good in the auditions.’

Double Dutch group Haribow, who have only been skipping together for four years, achieved the audience Golden Buzzer during their first audition, meaning they were automatically sent through to the next round.

‘Going back to that audition, it was honestly one of the biggest reactions we’ve ever ever had on an audition,’ Cowell said after their energetic semi-final show.

Jack (right) was delighted by the news he had made it through to Sunday’s final (pictured with BGT host Declan Donelly, left)

Haribow were ecstatic when it was announced they had made it to the final, with the group hugging each other when they heard the news

The group beat choir Ravi’s Dream Team for the final spot on the bill. They were Alesha’s golden buzzer choice during the auditions.

The choir, who advocate for brain tumour charities after Ravi Adelekan was diagnosed with a benign tumour in his brain stem at the age of six, sang a rendition of Take That’s Greatest Day.

‘That’s what I call a moment,’ Simon told the group.

Ravi said after their Britain’s Got Talent audition aired on TV that celebrities had been in contact with him including Jack Grealish, Jermaine Jenas, Monica Galetti, Paloma Faith “and Coldplay’s drummer”.

The cast of Disney’s Frozen The Musical opened the live show singing hit songs from the musical, before co-hosts Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly came on stage holding character Olaf’s hand.

Elsewhere, viewers were left fuming during the second live semi-final of the series on Tuesday as the judges praised already established K-pop band Blitzers.

They were praised by the judging panel for their slick performance, with Amanda describing the group as ‘box ready’.

The audience at home was quick to take to social media to point out the boyband had already had some success in Korea, where they were formed by record label Wuzo Entertainment in 2021.

Viewers also hit out at other acts, including cheerleaders Lady Grenades who have travelled the world to compete in international competitions, while noting a minimal amount of the performers were actually British despite the show’s name.

Britain’s Got Talent viewers were left fuming during the second live semi-final of the series on Tuesday as the judges praised already established K-pop band Blitzers

Viewers also hit out at other acts, including cheerleaders Lady Grenades who have travelled the world to compete in international competition

South Korean Blitzers band were one of the acts to face the viewing public and judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli

Blitzers’ first EP Check-In reached number 12 in the Korean charts that same year, with their second, Seat-Belt, getting to number 11 just five months later, and their third, reaching Win-Dow in 2022.

They have also released five singles in Korea and had songs featured on two soundtracks.

The fact the group were so highly praised by the judges left some viewers less than impressed, with many taking to social media to express their frustration.

One person wrote on Twitter: ‘Amanda: You seem box ready. Errrr… that’s because they are. Blitzer are an established K-Pop group who have already enjoyed success. No issue with them using the show to reach UK audiences, but please don’t have the judges pretend they don’t know

While someone else shared: ‘Is this K-pop band a professional act already in their own country? Seem far too slick and professional alongside the other acts. Not my thing at all. But I can see they are going to get through.’

‘The blitzers being on is not on they are already famous,’ wrote someone else.

While another viewer asked: ‘Aren’t Blitzers already a very successful k-pop band in Korea?’

Someone else queried: ‘These K-pop seem like more industry plants. How successful are they in Korea/asia?’

While someone else remarked: ‘This act feels less about showcasing new talent and more about Simon Cowell pushing an established K-pop band onto the UK market.’

They were praised by the panel for their slick performance, with Amanda describing the group as ‘box ready’

Blitzers were formed by record label Wuzo Entertainment in Korea 2021 and first EP Check-In reached number 12 in the Korean charts that same year

Elsewhere, viewers noted that cheerleaders Lady Grenades were also experienced, having travelled the world to compete in international competitions

The under 18 cheerleading team are part of the Coventry Dynamite Cheerleading collective and last month competed in the USASF cheerleading worlds in Florida

The audience at home was quick to take to social media to point out K-pop boyband Blitzers had already had some success in Korea

Another viewer who is already a fan of the band, wrote: ‘Can all of us k-pop stans or blitzers stans watching agree we will definitely vote for them to get to the final tonight!’

Blitzers, aged between 19 and 22, opted to perform their own version of Shawn Mendes’s There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back despite having their own music, and ended up wowing the judges during their first audition earlier in the series.

The first ever K-pop band to feature on the British talent show got four yeses from the judges and will head into the next round.

Britain’s Got Talent live semi-finals will air each day until Friday at 8pm, with Sunday’s final at 7.30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

May 28, 2024
Nicki Minaj considers firing tour DJ for signing fan’s breasts after arrest in Amsterdam for drug possession

Nicki Minaj made it sound as if her tour DJ was on the chopping block after he posted a photo of himself signing a female fan’s breasts.

The 41-year-old rapper and singer was seemingly outraged after DJ Boof, the tour DJ for her ongoing Pink Friday 2 tour, shared a photo on his Instagram Stories of himself grinning while signing the jubilant fan’s chest, captioning it: ‘I’m really famous 🤣 They asked me to sign their boobs 🤣.’

The kerfuffle cropped up after Nicki was arrested briefly in Amsterdam for allegedly bringing drugs with her into the Netherlands.

After a fan shared a screenshot of DJ Boof’s post on X (formerly Twitter), Nicki weighed in on Sunday.

‘I promise I’ll fire him if I EVAHHHHH see this again. Df,’ she wrote while quoting the original post.

Nicki Minaj made it sound as if her tour DJ was on the chopping block after he posted a photo of himself signing a female fan’s breasts; pictured in July 2023 in LA

Nicki wrote that she would ‘fire’ her tour dj, DJ Boof, if she ever saw him signing a fan’s breasts again after a fan reposted a picture of him signing a concertgoer’s chest on the Pink Friday 2 Tour

DailyMail.com has reached out to a representative for Nicki requesting comment.

Although Nicki’s statement appeared to be serious, many of her fans didn’t appear to take it at face value in the replies.

‘LMFAOOOOOO get him 😭😭😭,’ joked one user, while numerous others simply posted mixes of laughing and crying emojis.

One user appeared to think Nicki may have been joking.

‘he’s tryna steal your job,’ they wrote.

Nicki has a well-established habit of signing her fans’ breasts, something that she has been photographed doing extensively over the years.

The act of signing fans’ chests doesn’t seem to upset Nicki, and she indicated as much in a follow-up tweet.

After a fan quoted Nicki’s tweet and wrote, ‘He over here trynna ride the sign my t*****s wave like 🙄😭,’ she quoted it with: ‘Like??!! It’s clear to SEE boof wanna be ME.’

Her fans seemed to take her statements as a joke, and DJ Boof didn’t reference her statements after his initial post documenting the breast signing.

‘I’m really famous. They asked me to sign their boobs,’ DJ Boof wrote on his Instagram Stories post; pictured in November in NYC

But Nicki’s fans thought she was joking in their replies to her post; pictured in September 2023 in Newark, New Jersey

She signaled that she may have been joking in a follow-up post later on Sunday in which she wrote that DJ Boof ‘wanna be ME’

The kerfuffle over Nicki’s tour DJ comes just days after she was briefly arrested in Amsterdam for allegedly having ‘soft drugs’ in her possession; seen December 31 in Miami

Nicki’s over-the-top posts come after she was briefly arrested in Amsterdam over the weekend.

While live-streaming the arrest, the rapper claimed that airport security tried to get her to make a ‘statement with no lawyer present’ after finding ‘pre-rolls’ in ‘bags that they were not authorized to take.’

A police spokesperson later confirmed that a 41-year-old woman had been arrested for ‘possession of soft drugs.’

Nicki has since rescheduled her concert in Manchester, England, after missing the show while still in custody in Amsterdam.

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Nicki Minaj threatens to FIRE tour DJ over photo of him signing a fan’s breasts… after she was arrested in Amsterdam for allegedly ‘carrying drugs’

May 27, 2024
Nicki Minaj reschedules Manchester show at Co-op Live after Amsterdam drug arrest leads to cancellation

Nicki Minaj has announced a new date for her show at cursed music venue Co-op Live after her planned performance was cancelled following her drug arrest.

The rapper and singer, 41, had to be reschedule the Manchester gig after she was arrested on suspicion of possessing soft drugs in the Netherlands on Saturday.

Fans were let into the venue for despite the star’s arrest, with the venue later telling ticketholders the show had been postponed at 9.40pm – over three hours after its original planned start time.

However Nicki has now reassured fans that the May 25 gig has been rescheduled for Monday June 3.

Sharing the news on X, formerly Twitter, Nicki said: ‘OK guys, I was JUST RE-ADVISED that we actually CAN NOT do any other date for the make up #gagcityMANCHESTER date besides JUNE 3rd.

Nicki Minaj has announced a new date for her show at cursed music venue Co-op Live after her planned performance was cancelled following her drug arrest (Pictured on March 30)

The rapper and singer, 41, had to be reschedule the Manchester gig after she was arrested on suspicion of possessing soft drugs in the Netherlands on Saturday

‘So JUNE 3rd is the new official date for all ticket holders who originally had tickets to the MAY 25th #Manchester show.

‘I apologise for all the inconvenience this has caused. I really hope you can make the #JUNE3rd show. It’ll be really special. Ticketmaster will contact you to advise officially. Love you.’

Nicki said she spent around six hours in custody at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport on Saturday before being able to fly to the UK.

The American singer, known for the songs Starships, Super Bass and Anaconda, had been due to take to the stage at 6.30pm, but this was initially pushed back to 7pm.

Thousands of fans were let into the newly-opened Manchester venue at around that time on Saturday for her show.

However this was despite the star being detained on suspicion of possessing soft drugs at Schiphol Airport. She was released from custody a few hours later.

Nicki, who live-streamed her arrest on social media, was fined and eventually allowed to go free by police shortly before 9pm – hours after her show was due to begin.

Footage emerged of supporters queuing up in the hours before the scheduled gig, chanting ‘Free Nicki Minaj’ as they held onto hope that the star would be allowed to fly to the UK in time to perform.

However Nicki has now reassured fans that the May 25 gig has been rescheduled for Monday June 3

Nicki said she spent around six hours in custody at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport on Saturday before being able to fly to the UK (Pictured on March 1)

Disappointed fans are seen leaving the arena after being told that tonight’s show was called off

Promoter Live Nation then announced at around 9.40pm that the show was not to go ahead.

‘Nicki Minaj’s scheduled performance at Manchester’s Co-op Live on Saturday 25th May has been postponed,’ a statement online said.

‘Tickets will remain valid for the rescheduled performance which will be announced ASAP.

‘Despite Nicki’s best efforts to explore every possible avenue to make tonight’s show happen, the events of today have made it impossible.’

It added: ‘We are deeply disappointed by the inconvenience this has caused. More information will be available at your point of purchase.’

Footage from inside Co-op Live, which is the UK’s biggest indoor arena with a capacity of 23,500, showed fans waiting patiently for the star to arrive – despite seemingly receiving no updates on her whereabouts.

When the announcement was finally made, fans were heard booing and shouting in disbelief, with organisers saying they were ‘deeply disappointed by the inconvenience this has caused’.

Dutch police said a woman aged 41 was arrested on Saturday after allegedly trying to take what it described as ‘soft drugs’ from Schiphol Airport to another country.

When the announcement was finally made, fans were heard booing and shouting in disbelief, with organisers saying they were ‘deeply disappointed by the inconvenience this has caused’

Hundreds of fans queuing outside Manchester’s Co-op Live arena ahead of the scheduled show were filmed this evening chanting ‘Free Nicki Minaj’

A later update from the force said it had released the ‘suspect and she can now move on’ after paying a fine.

Nicki had praised fans for being a ‘class act’ during the last minute postponement.

It is the latest complication to hit the problem-plagued Co-Op Live Arena, which suffered a string of cancellations when it was due to open last month.

Headaches for Co-op Arena emerged after capacity for a test event was reduced with just hours’ notice.

Rick Astley did perform at the arena, however, and there were reports on social media that the event was a success.

Yet more issues came when comedian Peter Kay’s performances were postponed with less than 48 hours’ notice.

General manager Gary Roden resigned days after this announcement on April 25.

Peter Kay and The Black Keys both had to reschedule dates because of the venue not being ‘ready’.

Peter’s original dates were shifted to April 29 and 30, with the comedian writing on social media that he was ‘truly gutted’ for his fans. However the gigs were then moved to May 23 and May 24, which he said was ‘very disappointing but your safety is important, and I won’t compromise that’ on X, formerly Twitter.

Nicki had praised fans for being a ‘class act’ during the last minute postponement of her show (Pictured on March 30)

Manchester’s Co-Op Live Arena has been plagued by issues from its testing to eventual opening earlier this month

The new date for the US rock band The Black Keys became May 15 and in a statement, Co-op Live also said that there was ‘reassurance’ for fans that dates for US rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, real name Julius Dubose, on May 1, and American singer Olivia Rodrigo’s performances on May 3 and 4 would be going ahead.

Sadly both A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and Olivia Rodrigo dates were then postponed.

This was just over an hour before A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie was set to perform, with the venue saying that there was a problem during the soundcheck.

A component of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system used to direct air had separated from the ductwork, and the installer, contractor and third-party inspector would now have to test each nozzle to confirm they are free from the defect, the Oak View Group said.

Two hours after cancelling A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, the venue then said that Rodrigo’s gigs would not go ahead on May 3 and 4.

Take That said they would be moving their May shows from the Co-op Live to the AO Arena because of ‘ongoing technical issues’ and earlier that day another band, Keane, announced their May 5 gig at the venue had been postponed thanks to issues that were ‘entirely beyond our control’.

The venue said it would be taking ‘a short pause to events at Co-op Live to fully ensure the safety and security of fans and artists visiting the venue’.

However, the UK’s biggest arena had live music on May 14, when British rock band Elbow took to the stage – only for the venue to then be hit with the news of Nicki’s arrest days later.

May 27, 2024
Security guards at Co-op Live mislead Nicki Minaj fans about her whereabouts as chaos ensues over postponed concert.

Furious Nicki Minaj fans say security at the Co-op Live arena told them the singer was in the building when she was actually in police custody in the Netherlands before her gig was postponed.

Ticketholders, some of whom spent more than £2,000 getting into the Manchester venue, have raised questions about its handling of the situation and branded it ‘ridiculous’ that they were left waiting in their seats for hours before being told to go home.

The event on Saturday night was cancelled hours after it was due to start following the 41-year-old’s arrest at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam on suspicion of drugs offenses that afternoon – something which she live-streamed on social media.

Fans claim that despite seeing Minaj had been detained 500 miles from her destination, security staff at the Co-Op Live arena tried to put them at ease by telling them ‘she had arrived and that everyone was going to dance tonight’.

Instead there would be boos and shouts of anger in the auditorium when more than 23,000 attendees were told the event was being shelved as the rapper wouldn’t make it on time.

Nicki Minaj was seen arriving into Manchester late on Saturday night after being arrested in Amsterdam

Fans gather inside the Co-op Live arena in Manchester on Saturday night before the Nicki Minaj concert was postponed

Nicki Minaj fans leave Co-op Live arena in Manchester in Saturday night after her concert is postponed

The decision sparked a furious backlash from some Minaj fans, who go by the collective name the Barbz, who claim bosses at the newly-built arena should have told them sooner the show was not going to go ahead.

Representatives for the beleaguered £365million arena, which belatedly opened this month after being plagued by setbacks, said they allowed people to enter to ‘ensure the safety and welfare of fans while awaiting updates’.

Alvin Christie, 29, from Liverpool, said he waited from 9am to attend the concert and criticised the mixed messages from staff at the venue.

He said: ‘I would say it was very poorly managed. When we arrived into the event, they were actively telling fans that she had arrived and that everyone was going to dance tonight.

‘For a lot of people that were asking those questions, that’s obviously (keeping) people’s hopes up. I understand that maybe they wanted to get people into the arena for health and safety risks to stop people being outside.

‘But I think most importantly, they maybe could have advised people as soon as they’ve known that the show was postponed and we should be turned away when we’re outside the arena, rather than holding loads of people in the arena.’

Mr Christie did not blame Minaj after her arrest in Amsterdam, and says fans wanted for her to be ‘in a good place’.

‘We completely understood the situation that was in hand and with her being transparent, and showing everyone what was going on, we were just more concerned that she was okay and if the show didn’t go on and was rescheduled, then we fully understood that,’ he added.

Minaj’s supporters, who go by the collective name Barbz, have voiced slammed bosses at the ‘cursed’ music venue for letting them go inside and spend money despite the show going ahead.

Eileen Allardyce, 32, a hotel manager from Edinburgh, spent around £2,500 on tickets, travel and hotel costs and says she will not be able to make a rescheduled date.

Ms Allardyce said that since Co-op Live announced a delay in April to its opening event, where comedian Peter Kay was due to perform, she has been ‘on eggshells’ along with her friends who also had tickets for Minaj.

The rapper was arrested at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport on Saturday and says she spent six hours in custody before being allowed to go.

‘Obviously, it’s not Co-op’s fault what happened in Amsterdam, and it’s not Nicki’s fault either, like, obviously, no blame for her at all,’ she said.

‘But as I say, I just feel like the way they (the venue) handled it was just absolutely ridiculous. They have no clue, like absolutely no clue. I don’t think they were prepared for anything, to be honest.’

Ms Allardyce claimed that there were ‘no toilets’ at the Co-Op Live arena on Saturday while she queued outside the venue from 4pm.

Eileen Allardyce says she spent £2,500 on tickets, travel and accommodation, for the Nicki Minaj gig

Alvin Christie (right) claimed security told people that Minaj was in the arena when she was actually 500 miles away in Amsterdam

Nicki Minaj fans gathered outside the hotel she was staying in in Manchester this morning to try and catch a glimpse of the star

She also maintained that several security guards told her that Nicki Minaj was in the building, despite still being detained in Amsterdam.

‘I’m very disappointed, more so (towards) the venue because, obviously, everyone was unravelling on social media, everyone knew what the situation was and the venue completely let us down,’ Ms Allardyce said.

In Manchester fans of the singer gathered outside her hotel this morning to show their support for the artist after she arrived in the early hours of the morning.

Hope Brown, from Blackburn, revealed that last night’s concert was the second one that’s been cancelled on her this month at the Co-op Live arena.

‘I was meant to go to the Olivia Rodrigo concert earlier this month but that didn’t go ahead because the Co-op arena wasn’t ready,’ the 20-year-old said.

‘I’m beginning to think I’m jinked!

‘We’d booked a hotel so made the best of a bad situation.

‘When she was still in Amsterdam in the early evening, the concert should have been cancelled then.

‘It was never the ideal preparation for a concert going straight from a police station to a concert venue!’

Sophie Pearce, who had also been at the venue on Saturday night, said the organisation had been a ‘shambles’.

‘I’m so disappointed because I’ve been looking forward to the concert for so long,’ the 19-year-old said.

‘How it was handled was a bit of a shambles because all the fans were hanging around for hours when there was very little chance it would go ahead.

‘People have spent a lot of money to get here and it’s been for nothing.’

Olivia Wilkinson, 22, said: ‘It has been an expensive trip for nothing.

‘I’m really disappointed. The concert should have been cancelled sooner as it must have been obvious she was never going to get to Manchester on time.

‘I’ve spent around £200 on tickets and accommodation and am hoping to salvage something from it by seeing her today.’

Laura Williams, 24, who travelled down from Lancaster, added: ‘It’s obvious that Nicki really wanted to perform last night because she still came to Manchester even though the concert had been cancelled.

‘I’m not sure whose fault it is but I don’t blame Nicki Minaj. I just hope the concert can be rescheduled soon.’

Fans walk away from the Co-op Live arena on Saturday night after Nicki Minaj’s concert is called off

Co-op Live announced Nicki Minaj’s concert was being postponed hours after people were let into the venue in Manchester, sparking a backlash from fans

Minaj had live-streamed her arrest in the Netherlands at around 4pm after police detained her on suspicion of exporting soft drugs as she prepared to fly to Britain after ‘weed’ was allegedly found in her luggage. The singer denied it belonged to her and claimed the items were the property of her security team.

An hour and a half later Co-op Live tweeted that doors for her Manchester show would open at 7pm and fans entered, despite the R&B star not being released from custody until around 8.55pm.

She was later seen arriving at Manchester late on Saturday night after devastated fans were sent home.

She later tweeted that she had been ‘sitting in a jail cell for 5-6hours’ and asked her fans to ‘please please please accept my deepest & most sincere apologies’.

One fan told MailOnline last night that she was ‘absolutely heartbroken’ at Saturday’s concert being called off. ‘It’s not exactly like the tickets were cheap,’ said Alesha. ‘We spent an absolute fortune to be there tonight, let alone the travel and outfits we got for it.’

‘Absolute shambles that the Co-op live didn’t just let us let us know beforehand that the show was going to be postponed,’ she added, a sentiment shared by many other ticketholders.

One supporter wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: ‘Co-op Live you are a f****** joke. You knew hours ago that the show wouldn’t go ahead yet you still allowed everyone to come and spend money at your venue to then cancel last minute. Absolute joke. Love Nicki, f*** Co-op Live!!!’

Comedian Mark Grimshaw said: ‘I’m not sure what’s crazier – the fact Co-op Live let ticket-holders into the venue whilst Nicki Minaj had literally been arrested in a different country, or the fact that this somehow isn’t the most incompetent thing Co-op Live have ever done.’

He added: ‘The actual arrest, and the reason behind it, is obviously down to Nicki Minaj and her team. They aren’t responsible for Co-op Live opening the venue hours after that happened, when she was still detained, and the gig clearly wasn’t going to be going ahead. Both are at fault.’

Disappointed fans are seen leaving the arena after being told that tonight’s show was called off

Hundreds of fans queueing outside Manchester’s Co-op Live arena ahead of the scheduled show were filmed this evening chanting ‘Free Nicki Minaj’

Fans leave the Manchester Co-op Live venue after the Nicki Minaj show was postponed

Kian Young, 23, who had travelled from Scunthorpe, said that he was ‘confused as to why the Co-op arena hasn’t spoken to its fans’ and asked why the venue hadn’t cancelled the event when news emerged of Minaj’s arrest.

‘Everyone’s come – my missus is crying,’ he told the BBC. ‘Why not tell us it’s cancelled before bringing us in?’

But others blamed the singer for the chaos. Olivia Gibson from Newcastle said she was now an ‘ex fan’ of Minaj.

‘I feel appalled. But also, in a way, I’m not shocked,’ the 21-year-old said, referring to the singer’s track record of running late and saying she should have allowed more time to get to Manchester from Amsterdam.

‘It’s not the Co-op Live’s fault. It’s Nicki Minaj’s fault,’ she added. ‘She’s just let all her fans down.’

A spokesperson for Co-op Live told MailOnline today: ‘To ensure the safety and welfare of fans while awaiting updates, the joint decision was made by venue and promoter to open our doors.

‘Despite Nicki’s best efforts to explore every possible avenue to make the show happen, the events of yesterday made it impossible.’

In a statement released on her X account at 1am on Sunday morning, Minaj wrote: ‘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.

Fans of the star lined up eager to see Minaj despite the 41-year-old having to postpone her show after being arrested in the Netherlands

One fan held a sign saying ‘You the motherf****n’ fairest Nicki!’ as they waited for a glimpse of the rapper

Fans of Nicki Minaj gather outside the Manchester hotel where the singer is staying on Sunday morning after her concert at the Co-op Live arena was postponed last night

The singer posted an apology to her fans on X, formerly known as Twitter, after arriving in Manchester late on Saturday night

‘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.’

She added: ‘Please please please accept my deepest & most sincere apologies. They sure did know exactly how to hurt me today but this too, shall pass.

‘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.

‘I’ll STILL be performing at the 2nd #Manchester show on the 30th. 5 days away. I’ll STILL be performing in #Birmingham tmrw.’

The American singer, known for the songs Starships, Super Bass and Anaconda, had been due to take to the stage at 6.30pm, but this was initially pushed back to 7pm.

Footage emerged of supporters queuing up in the hours before the scheduled gig, chanting ‘Free Nicki Minaj’ as they held onto hope that the star would be allowed to fly to perform at the Manchester arena.

Fans in the packed venue were devastated when they were informed that the show would not be going ahead, with many slamming the decision.

A private plane, believed to belong to Nicki Minaj, departs from Schiphol East airport after the rapper was released by police

Despite vehemently denying that she was carrying any drugs, the 41-year-old rapper was told that she needed to go to the police station in footage captured during an Instagram Live

Before the alleged arrest, Minaj shared a series of posts on X (previously known as Twitter ), about her bags getting pulled for a thorough search at the airport

‘They’ve been trying everything they possibly can to TRY to stop this tour,’ she wrote in one tweet, before theorizing that they were trying to ‘plant things’ in her luggage

Minaj tweeted that her ‘filming every single thing made’ airline employees and police ‘mad’

In the wake of the latest drama to impact the venue, many concertgoers have also defended Co-op Live.

One wrote on X that Minaj’s lateness was ‘genuinely not their fault’, adding that organisers ‘cannot catch a break’.

Another suggested that it would have been worse not to let fans into the arena. ‘Why is everyone blaming co-op live? They let everyone in when the doors opened they could have left everyone outside, saying, ‘we’re not letting anyone in yet..”

And one said that the blame should be shared by organisers and Minaj. ‘Co-op Live can take accountability for letting people in before confirming she was in the country.

‘But Nicki Minaj, I love u but you shoulda travelled yesterday, not 3 hours before doors open,’ the fan added.

Many have said they are unsure if they would be able to make the rescheduled performance, dates for which have not been announced yet.

Frankie Harper, 20, from Andover, Hampshire, said: ‘(I’m) distraught to say the least. It definitely hurts more that it was on my birthday. Not sure what happens with the £100s that you spend on a train and hotel.’

Nord Herida, 23, who lives in Barnsley and travelled an hour to attend the concert, said he had felt before the postponement that his time was ‘being wasted’ inside the arena.

Members of Minaj’s fanbase, known as the ‘Barbz’, wore her trademark pink to the concert

Manchester’s Co-Op Live Arena has been plagued by issues from its testing to eventual opening earlier this month

Nicki Minaj was seen for the first time since her drug arrest in Amsterdam as she arrived to the United Kingdom on Saturday night

Nicki Minaj filmed herself seemingly getting arrested for allegedly ‘carrying drugs’ while traveling from Amsterdam to Manchester for her next show

He added that his friend had travelled four hours from Ipswich to get to the gig and that they had been waiting since 1pm at the arena.

‘(I’m) p***** not (going to) lie, they have taken this long to tell us,’ Mr Herida said.

Latest in a string of issues for Co-op Live

Manchester’s Co-Op Live Arena has been plagued by issues from its testing to eventual opening earlier this month.

Here is a timeline of what has happened:

April 20

Headaches for Co-op Arena emerged after capacity for a test event was reduced with just hours’ notice.

Rick Astley did perform at the arena, however, and there were reports on social media that the event was a success.

April 22

Yet more issues came when comedian Peter Kay’s performances were postponed with less than 48 hours’ notice.

His original dates were shifted to April 29 and 30, with Kay writing on social media that he was ‘truly gutted’ for his fans.

A spokesman for the arena said that ‘consistent total power supply to our fully electric sustainable venue’ was two days behind and there needed to be more time to test it ‘thoroughly’.

April 25

Following a slew of issues, general manager Gary Roden resigned.

April 26

Peter Kay and The Black Keys both had to reschedule dates because of the venue not being ‘ready’.

Kay’s gigs were moved to May 23 and May 24, and he said it was ‘very disappointing but your safety is important, and I won’t compromise that’ on X, formerly Twitter.

The new date for the US rock band The Black Keys became May 15.

In a statement, Co-op Live also said that there is ‘reassurance’ for fans that dates for US rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, real name Julius Dubose, on May 1, and American singer Olivia Rodrigo’s performances on May 3 and 4 would be going ahead.

May 1

Both A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and Olivia Rodrigo dates are postponed.

This was just over an hour before A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie was set to perform, with the venue saying that there was a problem during the soundcheck.

A component of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system used to direct air had separated from the ductwork, and the installer, contractor and third-party inspector would now have to test each nozzle to confirm they are free from the defect, the Oak View Group said.

Two hours after cancelling A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, the venue then said that Rodrigo’s gigs would not go ahead on May 3 and 4.

May 2

Take That said they would be moving their May shows from the Co-op Live to the AO Arena because of ‘ongoing technical issues’.

Earlier that day another band, Keane, announced their May 5 gig at the venue had been postponed thanks to issues that were ‘entirely beyond our control’.

The venue said it would be taking ‘a short pause to events at Co-op Live to fully ensure the safety and security of fans and artists visiting the venue’.

May 14

Live music finally got under way at the Co-op Live arena after Manchester band Elbow opened the new venue as its first headliners.

May 25

Nicki Minaj is arrested in the Netherlands hours before she is due to fly to the UK to perform at the Co-op Live Arena.

Dutch police said at around 9pm that they released their ‘suspect and she can now move on’, but Live Nation announced soon after that the show, originally set to have doors open at 6.30pm, had been postponed.

‘Like I work, I can’t just take a day off.’

Super fan Connor Wynne told Sky that he had been queueing since before 8am this morning to get a front row position for the show.

He said he and his friends were holding out hope of seeing the star after they ‘heard a helicopter go over’.

But soon after, fans’ hopes of seeing their favourite singer were dashed when organisers announced the show was being postponed.

‘Nicki Minaj’s scheduled performance at Manchester’s Co-op Live on Saturday 25th May has been postponed,’ a statement online said.

‘Tickets will remain valid for the rescheduled performance which will be announced ASAP.

‘Despite Nicki’s best efforts to explore every possible avenue to make tonight’s show happen, the events of today have made it impossible.’

It added: ‘We are deeply disappointed by the inconvenience this has caused. More information will be available at your point of purchase.’

Minaj went silent on social media at around 4pm this evening following a series of social media posts on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram.

In them, she said that police had told her they found drugs in her luggage after items were checked by customs.

She wrote that ‘they found weed’ and her security ‘already advised them’ that items belong to them, and not her.

Minaj also claimed that her bags had been taken by ‘customs’, with someone who looked like he worked for Schiphol Airport saying that the fact she filmed security checks prompted her luggage to be searched again, in a video shared on Instagram.

She alleged: ‘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.’

Minaj also live-streamed what appeared to be a conversation with an officer, who asked her to get into a van so she could go to a police station.

‘I’m not carrying drugs, I’m not going in there,’ she says in the clip.

She then asks the officer if she is ‘under arrest’ to which the the Dutch policeman replies ‘yes’.

The star is told by another policeman that she will get a ‘lawyer’ and to stop filming, and then gets inside the van.

A statement from Amsterdam’s Royal Military Constabulary read: ‘We have just released a 41-year-old American woman who we arrested this afternoon at Schiphol on suspicion of exporting soft drugs.

‘After consultation with the Public Prosecution Service, the suspect was fined and can continue her journey.’

Speaking to Sky News at around 9.15pm, Major Robert van Kapel of the military police said that she had been released from their custody around 20 minutes earlier.

He added that he believed she had set off on her onward journey, though would not disclose further details.

It was unclear at this point whether she would make the show, and there were few updates given throughout the saga.

It comes after the venue postponed its first official show several times after safety concerns.

The opening concert by rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie was cancelled three times, while shows by bands Take That, Keane and The Black Keys and comedian Peter Kay were also postponed.

However, the arena finally had live music on May 14, when British rock band Elbow took to the stage.

Elbow frontman Guy Garvey appeared to quip about Co-Op Live’s previous woes last night as he took to the stage for the crisis-ridden music venue’s first gig.

Structural issues with the building were among a host of issues previously raised, with reports suggesting its ventilation system was falling from the ceiling.

One worker said ‘there were loads of wires hanging down’ with exposed lighting on the floor which looked ‘very messy’.

In an apparent nod to those woes, Garvey welcomed the audience by quipping: ‘There was already electricity in the air before you lot got in here… and now it’s fully amped up. I hope you can feel it.’

The rocker added that those who had been working on the building had been ‘so excited today, so nervous and so excited’.

May 26, 2024
Nicki Minaj spotted for the first time post-drug arrest in Amsterdam, arrives in UK in stylish pink Fendi coat after canceling Manchester concert.

Nicki Minaj was seen for the first time since her drug arrest in Amsterdam as she arrived to the United Kingdom on Saturday.

The Starships rapper, 41 – who livestreamed her own arrest after she was accused of ‘carrying drugs’ in her luggage – was briefly arrested and fined at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.

However, due to the incident, her Saturday concert at the Co-Op Area in Manchester was canceled last minute amid her Pink Friday 2 Tour – with thousands of fans already awaiting inside the new stadium.

Minaj was seen holding a small smile on her face as she was spotted shortly after arriving to Manchester.

Nicki donned a hot pink, Fendi puffer coat that was left unzipped at the front, concealing the ensemble she wore underneath.

Nicki Minaj, 41, was seen for the first time since her drug arrest in Amsterdam as she arrived to the United Kingdom on Saturday

The Starships rapper – who livestreamed her own arrest after she was accused of ‘carrying drugs’ in her luggage – was briefly arrested and then fined at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

She added a pink, Louis Vuitton beanie on top of her head which partially covered her long, dark locks.

The performer also opted for a pair of white-rimmed shades to complete her overall look.

Earlier in the day, Minaj was arrested before being fined at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport on Saturday on allegations that ‘soft drugs’ were found in her luggage.

The Dutch national police agency shared a social media update that a 41-year-old American woman was released from custody after consultation with local prosecutors, CBS News reported.

The Dutch police didn’t name Nicki in the post but they didn’t have to as she streamed the whole incident on Instagram Live.

In the video, she explained that the police told her marijuana had been found in her bags and it would have to be weighed.

She was traveling from Amsterdam to Manchester for her next Pink Friday 2 Tour show at the time. Saturday night’s concert was canceled at the last moment as a result of her brief detainment.

Despite vehemently denying that she was carrying any drugs, the rapper was told that she needed to go to the police station in footage captured during the livestream.

However, due to the incident, her Saturday concert at the Co-Op Area in Manchester was canceled last minute – with thousands of fans already awaiting inside the new stadium

Earlier in the day, Minaj was arrested before being fined at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport on Saturday on allegations that ‘soft drugs’ were found in her luggage

Despite vehemently denying that she was carrying any drugs, the rapper was told that she needed to go to the police station in footage captured during the livestream

In the recording, a man explained to her that she ‘would get a lawyer at the office’ and they would go ‘as fast as possible.’

During the Instagram Live, the Anaconda hitmaker said she was told ‘to get into this [police] van and go into the precinct with no lawyer present.’

She further alleged that someone working for airport security requested she made a ‘statement with no lawyer present’ after finding ‘pre-rolls’ in ‘bags that they were not authorized to take.’

It is currently unclear if she was booked at a police station. A spokesperson for the police in the Netherlands confirmed to NBC News that they ‘arrested a 41-year-old American woman at Schiphol Airport because of possession of soft drugs.’

They did not identify Minaj, or anyone else by name, as the person arrested. Before the alleged arrest, Minaj shared a series of posts on X (previously known as Twitter), about her bags getting pulled for a thorough search at the airport.

‘They’ve been trying everything they possibly can to TRY to stop this tour,’ she wrote in one tweet, before theorizing that they were trying to ‘plant things’ in her luggage.

Additionally, she shared footage on her Instagram of a man telling her that police needed to take a closer look at her luggage.

In the clip, an airline crew member told her that a ‘police officer told’ him that they had ‘to offload all the luggage and to search everything.’

During the Instagram Live, the Anaconda hitmaker said she was told ‘to get into this [police] van and go into the precinct with no lawyer present’

She further alleged that someone working for airport security requested she made a ‘statement with no lawyer present’ after finding ‘pre-rolls’ in ‘bags that they were not authorized to take

‘I’m so sorry to say that,’ he continued. She then, asked: ‘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?’

In a tweet shared by Minaj, she claimed that she was told that she had five minutes ‘to make a statement about’ her ‘security to the police precinct’

Earlier, she had noted on X that ‘they said they found weed & that another group of ppl have to come here to weigh the pre-rolls’

‘I’m so sorry to say that,’ he continued. She then, asked: ‘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?’

‘They did just a random quick check, but now they want to open it,’ he insisted.

After she asked why, he said: ‘First of all, because you filmed him… [and] … he doesn’t believe you that you don’t have more with you than you say.’

‘No, he asked me ‘Do I have any more in those purses’ and I said, ‘No,’ and I asked him where are my bags,’ the rapper said. ‘They took my bags and put them on the plane before I could know what bags are on the plane.’

The airline crew member simply said he was ‘so sorry for that.’ Nicki then said, ‘Okay, of course,’ before the video ended.

In Minaj’s caption, she wrote ‘they took my bags before I could see them’ then ‘put it on the plane.’

‘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,’ she wrote.

In a tweet shared by Minaj, she claimed that she was told that she had five minutes ‘to make a statement about’ her ‘security to the police precinct.’

Earlier, she had noted on X that ‘they said they found weed & that another group of ppl have to come here to weigh the pre-rolls.’

After arriving in Manchester, she posted a statement to X apologizing to fans for her failure to appear onstage that evening

In another X post, she pointed out that marijuana is legal in Amsterdam.

Minaj is is currently on her Pink Friday 2 World Tour and was slated to perform in Manchester, England on Saturday.

However, the problems she encountered at the airport in the Netherlands caused her to miss that evening’s concert in the UK.

After arriving in Manchester, she posted a statement to X apologizing to fans for her failure to appear onstage that evening.

‘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,’ she wrote.

‘Barbz, I’m @ the stock exchange hotel in #Manchester I arrived a little over an hour ago,’ she continued. ‘After sitting in a jail cell for 5-6 hours, my plane still didn’t take off for another 20 mins once I boarded.’

Minaj noted: ‘The flight was 50 mins,’ repeating for emphasis: ’50 mins.’

She argued: ‘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.’

Minaj is is currently on her Pink Friday 2 World Tour and was slated to perform in Manchester, England on Saturday – which has now been postponed; seen in March in Inglewood

Nicki later livestreamed the moment that a crowd of fans arrived to her hotel in Manchester not long after she posted on X

Minaj grimly resolved: ‘I’ll have the lawyers & GOD take it from here tho.’

Switching gears as she addressed her ticketholders, she said: ‘Please please please accept my deepest & most sincere apologies. They sure did know exactly how to hurt me today but this too, shall pass.’

She continued: ‘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.’

The Bang Bang hitmaker promised her fans that ‘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.’

Minaj is slated to perform on Sunday in Birmingham, followed by dates in London and Glasgow before returning to the Co-Op Arena in Manchester on May 30 for an additional concert; seen earlier this month in NYC

She reminded her audience: ‘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.’

Nicki later livestreamed the moment that a crowd of fans arrived to her hotel in Manchester not long after she posted on X.

She talked to the fans from the balcony of her hotel room as they stood in the middle of the road near the building.

Minaj is slated to perform on Sunday in Birmingham, followed by dates in London and Glasgow before returning to the Co-Op Arena in Manchester on May 30 for an additional concert.

May 26, 2024
Nicki Minaj Arrested and Fined in Amsterdam, Leading to Cancellation of Pink Friday 2 Show Following Live Stream of Arrest at Airport

Nicki Minaj was briefly arrested before being fined at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport on Saturday on allegations that ‘soft drugs’ were found in her luggage.

The Dutch national police agency shared a social media update that a 41-year-old American woman was released from custody after consultation with local prosecutors, CBS News reported.

The Dutch police didn’t name Nicki in the post but they didn’t have to as she streamed the whole incident on Instagram Live.

In the video, she explained that the police told her marijuana had been found in her bags and it would have to be weighed.

She was traveling from Amsterdam to Manchester for her next Pink Friday 2 Tour show at the time. Saturday night’s concert was canceled at the last moment as a result of her brief detainment.

Nicki Minaj, 41, was briefly arrested before being fined at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport on Saturday on allegations that ‘soft drugs’ were found in her luggage; seen in 2023

Despite vehemently denying that she was carrying any drugs, the rapper was told that she needed to go to the police station in footage captured during an Instagram Live.

In the recording, a man explained to her that she ‘would get a lawyer at the office’ and they would go ‘as fast as possible.’

During the Instagram Live, the Anaconda hitmaker said she was told ‘to get into this [police] van and go into the precinct with no lawyer present.’

She further alleged that someone working for airport security requested she made a ‘statement with no lawyer present’ after finding ‘pre-rolls’ in ‘bags that they were not authorized to take.’

It is currently unclear if she was booked at a police station.

A spokesperson for the police in the Netherlands confirmed to NBC News that they ‘arrested a 41-year-old American woman at Schiphol Airport because of possession of soft drugs.’

They did not identify Minaj, or anyone else by name, as the person arrested.

Before the alleged arrest, Minaj shared a series of posts on X (previously known as Twitter), about her bags getting pulled for a thorough search at the airport.

‘They’ve been trying everything they possibly can to TRY to stop this tour,’ she wrote in one tweet, before theorizing that they were trying to ‘plant things’ in her luggage.

The Dutch national police agency shared a social media update that a 41-year-old American woman was released from custody after consultation with local prosecutors, CBS News reported

The Dutch police didn’t name Nicki in the post but they didn’t have to as she streamed the whole incident on Instagram Live; seen in 2023

Nicki filmed herself seemingly getting arrested for allegedly ‘carrying drugs’ while traveling from Amsterdam to Manchester for her next show

Additionally, she shared footage on her Instagram of a man telling her that police needed to take a closer look at her luggage.

In the clip, an airline crew member told her that a ‘police officer told’ him that they had ‘to offload all the luggage and to search everything.’

‘I’m so sorry to say that,’ he continued.

She, then, asked: ‘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?’

‘They did just a random quick check, but now they want to open it,’ he insisted.

After she asked why, he said: ‘First of all, because you filmed him… [and] … he doesn’t believe you that you don’t have more with you than you say.’

‘No, he asked me ‘Do I have any more in those purses’ and I said, ‘No,’ and I asked him where are my bags,’ the rapper said. ‘They took my bags and put them on the plane before I could know what bags are on the plane.’

The airline crew member simply said he was ‘so sorry for that.’

‘Okay, of course,’ she said before the video ended.

In Minaj’s caption, she wrote ‘they took my bags before I could see them’ then ‘put it on the plane.’

‘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,’ she wrote.

Despite vehemently denying that she was carrying any drugs, the rapper was told that she needed to go to the police station in footage captured during an Instagram Live

In the recording, a man explained to her that she ‘would get a lawyer at the office’ and they would go ‘as fast as possible’

Before the alleged arrest, Minaj shared a series of posts on X (previously known as Twitter ), about her bags getting pulled for a thorough search at the airport

‘They’ve been trying everything they possibly can to TRY to stop this tour,’ she wrote in one tweet, before theorizing that they were trying to ‘plant things’ in her luggage

Minaj also tweeted that her ‘filming every single thing made’ airline employees and police ‘mad’

The mother-of-one is currently on her Pink Friday 2 World Tour

Minaj’s most recent tweet, at the time of publication, claimed that she was told that she had five minutes ‘to make a statement about’ her ‘security to the police precinct.’

Earlier, she had noted on X that ‘they said they found weed & that another group of ppl have to come here to weigh the pre-rolls.’

‘Keep in mind they took my bags without consent. My security has already advised them those pre-rolls belong to him. Oh yea & the pilot wants me to take my ig [Instagram] post down,’ she wrote.

In another X post, she pointed out that marijuana is legal in Amsterdam.

Minaj is is currently on her Pink Friday 2 World Tour and was slated to perform in Manchester, England on Saturday.

However, the problems she encountered at the airport in the Netherlands caused her to miss that evening’s concert in the UK.

After arriving in Manchester, she posted a statement to X apologizing to fans for her failure to appear onstage that evening.

‘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,’ she wrote.

After arriving in Manchester, she posted a statement to X apologizing to fans for her failure to appear onstage that evening

‘Barbz, I’m @ the stock exchange hotel in #Manchester I arrived a little over an hour ago,’ she continued. ‘After sitting in a jail cell for 5-6 hours, my plane still didn’t take off for another 20 mins once I boarded.’

Minaj noted: ‘The flight was 50 mins,’ repeating for emphasis: ’50 mins.’

She argued: ‘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.

Minaj grimly resolved: ‘I’ll have the lawyers & GOD take it from here tho.’

Switching gears as she addressed her ticketholders, she said: ‘Please please please accept my deepest & most sincere apologies. They sure did know exactly how to hurt me today but this too, shall pass.’

She continued: ‘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.’

The Bang Bang hitmaker promised her fans that ‘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.

She reminded her audience: ‘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’.

May 26, 2024
Co-Op Live’s Troubles Persist: Nicki Minaj’s Concert Cancelled Last Minute due to Arrest in Amsterdam

The cancellation of Nicki Minaj’s Co-op Live Arena show in Manchester after she was arrested in Amsterdam is just the latest issue to hit the troubled new venue, with disgruntled music fans labelling it ‘cursed’.

Thousands of fans were allowed into the venue despite the 41-year-old star being detained at Schiphol Airport on suspicion of possessing soft drugs. She was fined and released from custody a few hours later.

Footage from inside Co-op Live, which is the UK’s biggest indoor arena with a capacity of 23,500, showed fans waiting patiently for the star to arrive – despite seemingly receiving no updates on her whereabouts.

When an announcement was finally made, fans were heard booing and shouting in disbelief, with organisers saying they were ‘deeply disappointed by the inconvenience this has caused’.

It is just the latest problem to hit the £365 million arena, which belatedly opened this month after being plagued by setbacks. The venue’s opening concert by rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie was cancelled three times, while shows by bands Take That, Keane and The Black Keys and comedian Peter Kay were also postponed.

One fan told MailOnline that she was ‘absolutely heartbroken’ at Saturday’s concert being called off. ‘It’s not exactly like the tickets were cheap,’ said Alesha. ‘We spent an absolute fortune to be there tonight, let alone the travel and outfits we got for it.’

‘Absolute shambles that the Co-op live didn’t just let us let us know beforehand that the show was going to be postponed,’ she added, a sentiment shared by many other ticketholders.

Fans leave the Manchester Co-op Live venue after the Nicki Minaj show was postponed

Disappointed fans are seen leaving the arena after being told that tonight’s show was called off

Nicki Minaj filmed herself seemingly getting arrested for allegedly ‘carrying drugs’ while traveling from Amsterdam to Manchester for her next show

Hundreds of fans queueing outside Manchester’s Co-op Live arena ahead of the scheduled show were filmed this evening chanting ‘Free Nicki Minaj’

Kian Young, 23, who had travelled from Scunthorpe, said that he was ‘confused as to why the Co-op arena hasn’t spoken to its fans’ and asked why the venue hadn’t cancelled the event when news emerged of Minaj’s arrest.

‘Everyone’s come – my missus is crying,’ he told the BBC. ‘Why not tell us it’s cancelled before bringing us in?’

But others blamed the singer for the chaos. Olivia Gibson from Newcastle said she was now an ‘ex fan’ of Minaj.

‘I feel appalled. But also, in a way, I’m not shocked,’ the 21-year-old said, referring to the singer’s track record of running late and saying she should have allowed more time to get to Manchester from Amsterdam.

‘It’s not the Co-op Live’s fault. It’s Nicki Minaj’s fault,’ she added. ‘She’s just let all her fans down.’

The American singer, known for the songs Starships, Super Bass and Anaconda, had been due to take to the stage at 6.30pm, but this was initially pushed back to 7pm.

Footage emerged of supporters queuing up in the hours before the scheduled gig, chanting ‘Free Nicki Minaj’ as they held onto hope that the star would be allowed to fly to perform at the Manchester arena.

Fans in the packed venue were devastated when they were informed that the show would not be going ahead, with many slamming the decision.

Footage from inside the venue, which has a capacity of 23,500, showed fans waiting patiently for the star to arrive

Nicki Minaj fans left the Manchester arena after waiting hours to see their favourite artist perform

A private plane, believed to belong to Nicki Minaj, departs from Schiphol East airport after the rapper was released by police

It comes after the venue postponed its first official show several times after safety concerns with the performer, US rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, moving his gig to rival AO Arena over the delays.

However, the UK’s arena finally had live music on May 14, when British rock band Elbow took to the stage.

Elbow frontman Guy Garvey appeared to quip about Co-Op Live’s previous woes last night as he took to the stage for the crisis-ridden music venue’s first gig.

Structural issues with the building were among a host of issues previously raised, with reports suggesting its ventilation system was falling from the ceiling.

One worker said ‘there were loads of wires hanging down’ with exposed lighting on the floor which looked ‘very messy’.

In an apparent nod to those woes, Garvey welcomed the audience by quipping: ‘There was already electricity in the air before you lot got in here… and now it’s fully amped up. I hope you can feel it.’

The rocker added that those who had been working on the building had been ‘so excited today, so nervous and so excited’.

Manchester’s Co-Op Live Arena has been plagued by issues from its testing to eventual opening earlier this month

In the wake of the latest drama to impact the venue, many concertgoers have also defended Co-op Live.

One wrote on X that Minaj’s lateness was ‘genuinely not their fault’, adding that organisers ‘cannot catch a break’.

Another suggested that it would have been worse not to let fans into the arena. ‘Why is everyone blaming co-op live? They let everyone in when the doors opened they could have left everyone outside, saying, “we’re not letting anyone in yet..”‘

And one said that the blame should be shared by organisers and Minaj. ‘Co-op Live can take accountability for letting people in before confirming she was in the country.

‘But Nicki Minaj, I love u but you shoulda travelled yesterday, not 3 hours before doors open,’ the fan added.

Members of Minaj’s fanbase, known as the ‘Barbz’, wore her trademark pink to the concert

Despite vehemently denying that she was carrying any drugs, the 41-year-old rapper was told that she needed to go to the police station in footage captured during an Instagram Live

Many have said they are unsure if they would be able to make the rescheduled performance, dates for which have not been announced yet.

Latest in a string of issues for Co-op Live

Manchester’s Co-Op Live Arena has been plagued by issues from its testing to eventual opening earlier this month.

Here is a timeline of what has happened:

April 20

Headaches for Co-op Arena emerged after capacity for a test event was reduced with just hours’ notice.

Rick Astley did perform at the arena, however, and there were reports on social media that the event was a success.

April 22

Yet more issues came when comedian Peter Kay’s performances were postponed with less than 48 hours’ notice.

His original dates were shifted to April 29 and 30, with Kay writing on social media that he was ‘truly gutted’ for his fans.

A spokesman for the arena said that ‘consistent total power supply to our fully electric sustainable venue’ was two days behind and there needed to be more time to test it ‘thoroughly’.

April 25

Following a slew of issues, general manager Gary Roden resigned.

April 26

Peter Kay and The Black Keys both had to reschedule dates because of the venue not being ‘ready’.

Kay’s gigs were moved to May 23 and May 24, and he said it was ‘very disappointing but your safety is important, and I won’t compromise that’ on X, formerly Twitter.

The new date for the US rock band The Black Keys became May 15.

In a statement, Co-op Live also said that there is ‘reassurance’ for fans that dates for US rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, real name Julius Dubose, on May 1, and American singer Olivia Rodrigo’s performances on May 3 and 4 would be going ahead.

May 1

Both A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and Olivia Rodrigo dates are postponed.

This was just over an hour before A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie was set to perform, with the venue saying that there was a problem during the soundcheck.

A component of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system used to direct air had separated from the ductwork, and the installer, contractor and third-party inspector would now have to test each nozzle to confirm they are free from the defect, the Oak View Group said.

Two hours after cancelling A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, the venue then said that Rodrigo’s gigs would not go ahead on May 3 and 4.

May 2

Take That said they would be moving their May shows from the Co-op Live to the AO Arena because of ‘ongoing technical issues’.

Earlier that day another band, Keane, announced their May 5 gig at the venue had been postponed thanks to issues that were ‘entirely beyond our control’.

The venue said it would be taking ‘a short pause to events at Co-op Live to fully ensure the safety and security of fans and artists visiting the venue’.

May 14

Live music finally got under way at the Co-op Live arena after Manchester band Elbow opened the new venue as its first headliners.

May 25

Nicki Minaj is arrested in the Netherlands hours before she is due to fly to the UK to perform at the Co-op Live Arena.

Dutch police said at around 9pm that they released their ‘suspect and she can now move on’, but Live Nation announced soon after that the show, originally set to have doors open at 6.30pm, had been postponed.

Frankie Harper, 20, from Andover, Hampshire, said: ‘(I’m) distraught to say the least. It definitely hurts more that it was on my birthday. Not sure what happens with the £100s that you spend on a train and hotel.’

Nord Herida, 23, who lives in Barnsley and travelled an hour to attend the concert, said he had felt before the postponement that his time was ‘being wasted’ inside the arena.

He added that his friend had travelled four hours from Ipswich to get to the gig and that they had been waiting since 1pm at the arena.

‘(I’m) p***** not (going to) lie, they have taken this long to tell us,’ Mr Herida said.

‘Like I work, I can’t just take a day off.’

Super fan Connor Wynne told Sky that he had been queueing since before 8am this morning to get a front row position for the show.

He said he and his friends were holding out hope of seeing the star after they ‘heard a helicopter go over’.

But soon after, fans’ hopes of seeing their favourite singer were dashed when organisers announced the show was being postponed.

‘Nicki Minaj’s scheduled performance at Manchester’s Co-op Live on Saturday 25th May has been postponed,’ a statement online said.

‘Tickets will remain valid for the rescheduled performance which will be announced ASAP.

‘Despite Nicki’s best efforts to explore every possible avenue to make tonight’s show happen, the events of today have made it impossible.’

It added: ‘We are deeply disappointed by the inconvenience this has caused. More information will be available at your point of purchase.’

Minaj went silent on social media at around 4pm this evening following a series of social media posts on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram.

In them, she said that police had told her they found drugs in her luggage after items were checked by customs.

She wrote that ‘they found weed’ and her security ‘already advised them’ that items belong to them, and not her.

Minaj also claimed that her bags had been taken by ‘customs’, with someone who looked like he worked for Schiphol Airport saying that the fact she filmed security checks prompted her luggage to be searched again, in a video shared on Instagram.

She alleged: ‘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.’

Minaj also live-streamed what appeared to be a conversation with an officer, who asked her to get into a van so she could go to a police station.

‘I’m not carrying drugs, I’m not going in there,’ she says in the clip.

She then asks the officer if she is ‘under arrest’ to which the the Dutch policeman replies ‘yes’.

The star is told by another policeman that she will get a ‘lawyer’ and to stop filming, and then gets inside the van.

Minaj also live-streamed what appeared to be a conversation with an officer, who asked her to get into a van so she could go to a police station.

‘I’m not carrying drugs, I’m not going in there,’ she says in the clip.

She then asks the officer if she is ‘under arrest’ to which the the Dutch policeman replies ‘yes’.

Minaj is told by another policeman that she will get a ‘lawyer’ and to stop filming, and then gets inside the van.

A statement from Amsterdam’s Royal Military Constabulary read: ‘We have just released a 41-year-old American woman who we arrested this afternoon at Schiphol on suspicion of exporting soft drugs.

‘After consultation with the Public Prosecution Service, the suspect was fined and can continue her journey.’

Speaking to Sky News at around 9.15pm, Major Robert van Kapel of the military police said that she had been released from their custody around 20 minutes earlier.

He added that he believed she had set off on her onward journey, though would not disclose further details.

It was unclear at this point whether she would make the show, and there were few updates given throughout the saga.

Promoters Live Nation and the venue Co-op Live, as well as a representative for Minaj, have been contacted for comment.

Before the alleged arrest, Minaj shared a series of posts on X (previously known as Twitter ), about her bags getting pulled for a thorough search at the airport

‘They’ve been trying everything they possibly can to TRY to stop this tour,’ she wrote in one tweet, before theorizing that they were trying to ‘plant things’ in her luggage

Minaj tweeted that her ‘filming every single thing made’ airline employees and police ‘mad’

May 26, 2024
‘Fans Demand Freedom for Nicki Minaj’ – Chanting Supporters Await Star’s Manchester Performance Amid Uncertainty Following Amsterdam Arrest

Nicki Minaj has been released and fined after she was arrested on suspicion of exporting soft drugs in the Netherlands hours before she was due to fly to the UK to perform a concert.

Hundreds of fans queueing outside Manchester’s Co-op Live arena were filmed this evening chanting ‘Free Nicki Minaj’ after the singer was arrested in Amsterdam – just hours ahead of her performance at the venue.

Footage from inside the arena, which has a capacity of 23,500, showed fans waiting patiently for the star to arrive – despite seemingly receiving no updates on her whereabouts.

The American singer, 41, known for the songs Starships, Super Bass and Anaconda, was due to perform at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena on Saturday evening as part of her Pink Friday World Tour.

She had been due to take to the stage at 6.30pm, but this was pushed back to 7pm. There has still been no sign of her, despite ticketholders filing into the arena. The authorities issued their statement about her release after 8pm.

Hundreds of fans queueing outside Manchester’s Co-op Live arena were filmed this evening chanting ‘Free Nicki Minaj’

Nicki Minaj filmed herself seemingly getting arrested for allegedly ‘carrying drugs’ while traveling from Amsterdam to Manchester for her next show

A statement from Amsterdam’s Royal Military Constabulary read: ‘We have just released a 41-year-old American woman who we arrested this afternoon at Schiphol on suspicion of exporting soft drugs.

‘After consultation with the Public Prosecution Service, the suspect was fined and can continue her journey.’

MailOnline has contacted a representative for Nicki for comment.

In a series of social media posts on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram, Minaj claimed that police said they found drugs in her luggage after items were checked by customs.

She wrote that ‘they found weed’ and her security ‘already advised them’ that items belong to them, and not her.

Minaj also claimed that her bags had been taken by ‘customs’, with someone who looked like he worked for Schiphol Airport saying that the fact she filmed security checks prompted her luggage to be searched again, in a video shared on Instagram.

She also alleged: ‘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.’

Minaj also live-streamed what appeared to be a conversation with an officer, who asked her to get into a van so she could go to a police station.

‘I’m not carrying drugs, I’m not going in there,’ she says in the clip.

She then asks the officer if she is ‘under arrest’ to which the the Dutch policeman replies ‘yes’.

Minaj is told by another policeman that she will get a ‘lawyer’ and to stop filming, and then gets inside the van.

Promoters Live Nation and the venue Co-op Live have been contacted for comment.

Co-op Live was plagued by issues before opening earlier this month.

The venue postponed its first official show several times after safety concerns with the performer, US rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, moving his gig to rival AO Arena over the delays.

However, the UK’s biggest arena had live music on May 14, when British rock band Elbow took to the stage.

Nicki Minaj has been arrested in the Netherlands hours before she was due to fly to the UK to perform a concert.

The 41-year-old American singer, known for the songs Starships, Super Bass and Anaconda, was due to perform at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena on Saturday evening as part of her Pink Friday World Tour.

A statement to the PA news agency from the National Police Corps said a woman, 41, was arrested after allegedly trying to take soft drugs from Schiphol Airport to another country.

They confirmed at around 7.30pm that she remains under arrest and the force is still investigating.

Minaj’s show at Co-op Live was originally set to have doors open at 6.30pm but this was changed to 7pm.

In a series of social media posts on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram, Minaj claimed that police said they found drugs in her luggage after items were checked by customs.

She wrote that ‘they found weed’ and her security ‘already advised them’ that items belong to them, and not her.

Minaj also claimed that her bags had been taken by ‘customs’, with someone who looked like he worked for Schiphol Airport saying that the fact she filmed security checks prompted her luggage to be searched again, in a video shared on Instagram.

She also alleged: ‘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.’

Minaj also live-streamed what appeared to be a conversation with an officer, who asked her to get into a van so she could go to a police station.

‘I’m not carrying drugs, I’m not going in there,’ she says in the clip.

She then asks the officer if she is ‘under arrest’ to which the the Dutch policeman replies ‘yes’.

Minaj is told by another policeman that she will get a ‘lawyer’ and to stop filming, and then gets inside the van.

Promoters Live Nation and the venue Co-op Live have been contacted for comment.

Co-op Live was plagued by issues before opening earlier this month.

The venue postponed its first official show several times after safety concerns with the performer, US rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, moving his gig to rival AO Arena over the delays.

However, the UK’s biggest arena had live music on May 14, when British rock band Elbow took to the stage.

Nicki Minaj’s Manchester show has reportedly been thrown into chaos after she filmed herself seemingly getting arrested for allegedly ‘carrying drugs’.

The rapper appeared to have been stopped while traveling from Amsterdam to Manchester for her next Pink Friday 2 Tour show.

Despite vehemently denying that she was carrying any drugs, the 41-year-old star was told that she needed to go to the police station in footage captured during an Instagram Live.

In the recording, a man explained to her that she ‘would get a lawyer at the office’ and they would go ‘as fast as possible.’

During the Instagram Live, the Anaconda hitmaker said she was told ‘to get into this [police] van and go into the precinct with no lawyer present.’

She further alleged that someone working for airport security requested she made a ‘statement with no lawyer present’ after finding ‘pre-rolls’ in ‘bags that they were not authorized to take.’

DailyMail.com has reached out to Minaj’s representative for confirmation on if she was actually arrested, but has not heard back.

It is currently unclear if she was booked at a police station.

Before the alleged arrest, Minaj shared a series of posts on X (previously known as Twitter), about her bags getting pulled for a thorough search at the airport.

‘They’ve been trying everything they possibly can to TRY to stop this tour,’ she wrote in one tweet, before theorizing that they were trying to ‘plant things’ in her luggage.

Additionally, she shared footage on her Instagram of a man telling her that police needed to take a closer look at her luggage.

In the clip, an airline crew member told her that a ‘police officer told’ him that they had ‘to offload all the luggage and to search everything.’

‘I’m so sorry to say that,’ he continued.

She, then, asked: ‘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?’

‘They did just a random quick check, but now they want to open it,’ he insisted.

After she asked why, he said: ‘First of all, because you filmed him… [and] … he doesn’t believe you that you don’t have more with you than you say.’

Despite vehemently denying that she was carrying any drugs, the 41-year-old rapper was told that she needed to go to the police station in footage captured during an Instagram Live

In the recording, a man explained to her that she ‘would get a lawyer at the office’ and they would go ‘as fast as possible’

Before the alleged arrest, Minaj shared a series of posts on X (previously known as Twitter ), about her bags getting pulled for a thorough search at the airport

‘No, he asked me ‘Do I have any more in those purses’ and I said, ‘No,’ and I asked him where are my bags,’ the rapper said. ‘They took my bags and put them on the plane before I could know what bags are on the plane.’

The airline crew member simply said he was ‘so sorry for that.’

‘Okay, of course,’ she said before the video ended.

In Minaj’s caption, she wrote ‘they took my bags before I could see them’ then ‘put it on the plane.’

‘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,’ she wrote.

‘They’ve been trying everything they possibly can to TRY to stop this tour,’ she wrote in one tweet, before theorizing that they were trying to ‘plant things’ in her luggage

Minaj also tweeted that her ‘filming every single thing made’ airline employees and police ‘mad’

The mother-of-one is currently on her Pink Friday 2 World Tour

Minaj’s most recent tweet, at the time of publication, claimed that she was told that she had five minutes ‘to make a statement about’ her ‘security to the police precinct.’

Earlier, she had noted on X that ‘they said they found weed & that another group of ppl have to come here to weigh the pre-rolls.’

‘Keep in mind they took my bags without consent. My security has already advised them those pre-rolls belong to him. Oh yea & the pilot wants me to take my ig [Instagram] post down,’ she wrote.

In another X post, she pointed out that marijuana is legal in Amsterdam.

Minaj is is currently on her Pink Friday 2 World Tour and, next, slated to perform in Manchester, England on Saturday.

May 25, 2024
Bella Hadid Turns Heads in a Low-Cut Black Gown at Cannes Film Festival Premiere, Following Palestine Support in Keffiyeh Dress

As the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival enters its final stages the red carpet once again transformed into a makeshift catwalk for the premiere of L’Amour Ouf (Beating Hearts) on Thursday evening.

And once again it was Bella Hadid who led the glamour, as she has so many times this season, ahead of the film’s official launch on the Croisette.

The American supermodel, 27, looked stunning in a sweeping black evening with a plunging décolletage as she greeted photographers shortly after arriving.

Just hours earlier Bella made a public show of support for war-torn Palestine amid the Israel-Gaza conflict as she stepped out wearing a dress fashioned from a Keffiyeh.

Outside of the Middle East and North Africa, the Keffiyeh gained popularity among pro-Palestinian activists; it is widely considered to be an symbol of solidarity with the Palestinians in their fight against Israel.

Just hours earlier Bella made a statement of support for Palestine amid the Israel-Gaza conflict as she stepped out in Cannes wearing a dress fashioned from a Keffiyeh

Gracing the red carpet in yet another show-stopping look, Bella exuded glamour as she posed for snaps at the premiere

Bella, whose father is Palestinian real estate businessman Mohamed Hadid and mother is Dutch model Yolanda Hadid, made the subtle nod to the country while out during the Cannes Film Festival on Thursday.

Translated to Beating Hearts, L’Amour Ouf focuses on a girl from an upper-middle-class family and a boy from a modest background who fall in love, but things fizzle out as they begin to drift apart.

Going down the wrong path, the boy eventually becomes a criminal and spends 12 years in prison.

Also in attendance for the premiere was Australian actress Katherine Langford, who showed off her svelte physique in a red fringed gown.

The 13 Reasons Why star swept her brunette tresses into a sophisticated beehive as she posed for snaps on the red carpet.

The show of support comes after Bella was fact-checked after posting pictures taken in a refugee camp in Syria as she voiced support for Gaza and Palestinians.

Bella shared an image of children in Yarmouk after an assault by dictator Bashar al-Assad during the Syrian civil war in 2013.

She captioned the Instagram post: ‘Gaza on my mind.’ After social media users began pointing out the photos were from in Syria, Instagram added a note saying the post was missing important context and could mislead people.

The American supermodel looked stunning in a sweeping black evening with a plunging décolletage as she greeted photographers shortly after arriving

Bella swept her raven tresses into a sleek curled up-do as she posed for photographers during Cannes’ latest red carpet

The note links to a web page that explains the images are from a refugee camp in Syria showing the victims of Assad’s regime, not Israel.

It reads: ‘This post is misleading. This video was not filmed in Palestine. The video dates back 2013 from within the Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus.’

The misleading post remains on Bella’s Instagram after it was published and has been liked more than 1.6million times.

The footage is part of a film called Little Palestine, Diary of a Siege, that shows the aftermath of Assad’s siege in Yarmouk, what was then the largest Palestinian refugee camp in the world.

It’s not the first time Los Angeles native has shared images from Syria that are missing context.

Back in November, the millionaire posted the same images of children in Syria sharing their hopes and dreams amid war and claimed they were taken in Gaza during the ongoing conflict with Israel.

At the time, she wrote: ‘Thousands of innocents Palestinian men women and CHILDREN imprisoned without trial.’

Syrian-Americans have been quick to call out the model over the misleading posts on the war.

‘This is not the first time she’s done this with these SAME IMAGES of children from Yarmouk,’ wrote American Enterprise Institute media strategist Kareem Rifai.

‘Completely unacceptable and irresponsible for a mega-celebrity with massive reach. Syrians are still being killed by Assad every day.’

Bella’s older sister Gigi apologized last November after claiming Israel ‘is the only country in the world’ keeping children as prisoners of war.

To prove her point, she had shared an image of Palestinian Ahmad Manasra, who was 13 when he was arrested after stabbing a 20-year-old Israeli security guard and a 13-year-old boy in Jerusalem.

Bella spoke publicly for the first time about the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, saying that ‘there is an urgent humanitarian crisis in Gaza that must be attended to’ in an Instagram post in October last year.

She shared a detailed statement calling for pressure to be put on political leaders to ‘stand together in defending humanity and compassion.’

Bella spoke about the sensitive issue more than two weeks after her sister Gigi talked publicly about the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

‘I have yet to find the ideal words for this deeply intricate and horrific past two weeks, weeks that have turned the worlds attention back toward a situation that has been taking innocent lives, and affecting families for decades,’ she said. ‘I have much to say, but for today, I will keep it short.’

She continued: ‘I’ve been sent hundreds of death threats daily, my phone number has been leaked, and my family has felt to be in danger.

‘But I cannot be silenced any longer. Fear is not an option. The people and children of Palestine, especially in Gaza, cannot afford our silence. We are not brave – they are.’

She said that ‘seeing the aftermath from the air strikes in Gaza, I mourn with all the mothers who have lost children and the children who cry alone, all the lost fathers, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunties, friends, that will never again walk this earth.

‘Regardless of the history of the land, I condemn the terrorist attacks on any civilians, anywhere. Harming women and children and inflicting terror does not, and should not do any good for the Free Palestine movement.’

Bella addressed the plight of ‘the Israeli families that have been dealing with the pain and aftermath of’ the October 7 attack from Hamas, saying she ‘mourned’ for them.

‘I believe deep in my heart that no child, no people anywhere, should be taken away from their family either temporarily or indefinitely,’ she said. ‘That goes for Israeli and Palestine people alike.’

Bella said that ‘it’s important to understand the hardship of what it is to be Palestinian, in the world that sees us is nothing more than terrorist resisting peace,’ calling the characterization ‘harmful,’ ‘shameful’ and ‘categorically untrue.’

Bella in her statement opened up about her family’s ‘generational trauma’ stemming from the longtime conflict in the Middle East.

‘My heart is bleeding with pain from the trauma I am seeing unfold, as well as the generational trauma of my Palestinian blood,’ she said.

Bella continued: ‘My father was born in Nazareth in the year of the Nakba (the displacement of 750,000 Palestinians in 1948).

‘Nine days after he was born, he, in his mothers arms, along with his family were expelled from their home in Palestine, becoming refugees, away from a place they once called home. My grandparents, Never being allowed to return.’

Bella said her family has ‘witnessed 75 years of violence against Palestinian people – most notably, brutal settler invasions, which led to the destruction of entire communities, murder in cold blood and the forcible removal of families from their homes.’

The supermodel, who has worked for labels including Balmain, Givenchy, Chanel and Victoria’s Secret, added that ‘the practice of settlements and Palestinian land still continues to this day,’ and ‘the pain of that is unimaginable.’

Bella in her post said that ‘we must all stand together in defending humanity and compassion – and demanding that our leaders do the same. All religions are peace – it is governments that are corrupt, and intertwining.’

She continued: ‘The two makes for the greatest sin of all. We are one and God has created all equal. All bloodshed, tears and bodies should be mourned with the same respect.’

Bella said that ‘there is an urgent humanitarian crisis in Gaza that must be attended to,’ as ‘families need access to water and food’ and ‘hospitals need fuel to power generators, tend to the wounded and keep people alive.

‘Wars have laws – and they must be upheld no matter what.’

May 23, 2024
Blanca Blanco debuts new bikini body after losing 10lbs on diet hack in France following busy Cannes Film festival schedule

Eye For Eye actress Blanca Blanco was back in a bikini on Tuesday while in Cannes, France.

The curvy star was seen in a red two piece that flashed her abs and toned legs while she enjoyed a day on the shore.

The beauty recently revealed she has lost 10lbs by giving up meat and is instead eating fish and chicken. ‘I think it is has been really good for my waistline because my dresses are all lose now!’ she told DailyMail.com. ‘And I don’t miss the steaks which can be too heavy sometimes.’

The star has been attending the Cannes Film Festival where she has already hit five big events. She is at the festival because her film The Race Of Love, in which she plays a journalist, is showing there.

The movie star, who is next in the feature Finding Nicole, wore her hair down in mermaid waves and added heavy femme fatale makeup.

‘Bon Jour Loves,’ the movie star – who was in the Caribbean in February – wrote in her caption as she added a red heart emoji.

Eye For Eye actress Blanca Blanco was back in a bikini on Tuesday while in Cannes, France. The curvy star was seen in a red two piece that flashed her abs and toned legs while she enjoyed a day on the shore

The beauty recently revealed she has lost 10lbs by giving up meat and is instead eating fish and chicken

Earlier this year, the Breaking The Mold author also told DailyMail.com exclusively what her latest workout hack is.

‘On days I feel lazy I break up my workouts to two 10 minute workouts a day,’ she shared. ‘I know it sounds silly but if you run on the treadmill for 10 minutes you do work up a sweat. So I do that in the morning. Then later in the day I will do sit ups for another 10 minutes. So that is a 20 minute workout. It really does help and if you do it every day you can lose a pound a week.’

She said she is just like everyone else when it comes to workout burnout.

‘A lot of people think I love to go to the gym, and the truth is I sometimes really don’t, as in sometimes I would love to stay home and binge watch Netflix,’ she told DailyMail.com.

‘I usually work out for one hour a day, five days a week. I do it for my mental health, because it makes me feel so positive. Even those two 10 minute workouts rev me up and shoots up my endorphins.’

She added that there are other workouts she doesn’t consider workouts.

‘I walk around my neighborhood for an hour every day, and I know that burns calories too but I really don’t consider that a workout,’ said the siren who went to her first Emmy Awards this year.

‘I think it is has been really good for my waistline because my dresses are all lose now!’ she told DailyMail.com. ‘And I don’t miss the steaks which can be too heavy sometimes’

The star has been attending the Cannes Film Festival where she has already hit six events. She is at the festival because her film The Race Of Love, in which she plays a journalist, is showing there

The movie star, who is next in the feature Finding Nicole, wore her hair down in mermaid waves and added heavy femme fatale makeup

‘I do it to get away from my computer and TV, just to unwind and look at the trees and say hello to neighbors, it’s very healthy. I don’t know why more people don’t do it. Just put on some sneakers and get out there and look at the sunset and let all that pressure from the day roll off you.’

Last year the star, who will next play therapist Alma Gomez in the movie Ash And Bone 2 – also shared with DailyMail.com her diet secrets for 2023 that saves her money.

Blanca said that staying slender has a lot to do with timing meals.

‘I never eat late at night, this is a golden rule I have adopted this summer. I stop eating at about 6 pm so my body can digest what I have eaten before I go to sleep.

‘Bon Jour Loves,’ the movie star – who was in the Caribbean in February – wrote in her caption as she added a red heart emoji

She pulled out some classic Sports Illustrated poses as she leaned her head back and stretched out one leg

‘So no more late night popcorn bowls or cereal bars. The late night snacks are gone. If I am super hungry I chop up some vegetables and add olive oil and sea salt. But usually I just wait until breakfast to eat.

‘It also saves money. Because sometimes at night I would pop over to Go Greek and buy frozen yogurt to treat myself. I don’t do that anymore.

‘I have pretty much given up all desserts at night. Sometimes I would order a fancy dessert that was like $14 after dinner. No more. Sometimes those desserts at nice restaurants can cost a fortune! Once I ordered a chocolate dessert that was $22. It wasn’t worth it – too expensive and 1,000 calories.

‘If I want something sweet, I have a decaf coffee with some honey.’

Blanco attends The Second Acts screening and opening ceremony red carpet at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 14

Blanco in a red dress by Christophe Guillarmé at the Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga premiere on Wednesday. The red dress, white clutch, and blue shawl represent the French flag for the Olympics

Seen here at the Campari Cinemathaque at Hyde Beach by Campari on May 18

Blanco at the Trei Kilometri Pana La Capatul Lumii (Three Kilometres To The End Of The World) event on May 17

The star made the Horizon: An American Saga premiere on May 19

The star told DailyMail.com that she is on the Mediterranean Diet at the moment. ‘It is heavy in protein so there are not a lot of carbs, which turn into sugar once metabolized,’ she said.

‘It just requires a lot of fresh vegetables so I am always running to the grocery store.’

The Mediterranean diet beat low-fat diets for weight loss, research has shown.

Switching from an omnivore diet to a plant-based diet was found to help the majority of people lose weight, possibly because of the boost in fiber intake and the reduction of animal proteins in favor of plant proteins, among other reasons, per a systematic review published in Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy in 2020.

In June Blanca talked working out.

‘I try to exercise five days a week for one hour a day,’ said the Mission: Possible star.

‘Cardio and weight training are key. I use weights to stay toned. Ten pound dumbbells are great for toning.

‘Some weeks are challenging to keep up with the routine, I try to be kind to myself when I can’t do routine, and know even one day or five minutes of training a day is 100% better than nothing.

‘I sometimes just walk around my neighborhood for 15 minutes when I don’t have time to go to the gym.

‘I have a walk app too so walking to the car or going to the gas station helps, all add up.’

And she has some diet tricks too.

‘I eat grilled food over fried food. It is healthier for the heart and it lowers cholesterol.

‘High cholesterol runs in my family gene. So I try to work on what I can that is within my control. I love French fries so it’s not easy sometimes.’

And she rules out meat and sugar.

‘For two months now, I decided to go on a pescatarian lifestyle, which is a temporary change.

‘That means no meats, no chicken, and only seafood. I love fish so this works for me. I often order the grilled salmon at restaurants with a side of vegetables.

‘Also I don’t eat sugar, so no desserts, no cake, no ice cream, not thank you! It’s just not worth it for me. Every time I eat a dessert I have to work out another hour and it’s too much time.

‘I only eat sugar from fruits which is great because I love apples and strawberries.

‘I feel it is important to detox the body every once in a while plus it also shock the metabolism. I feel less bloated, more regular and more energy.’

And she says the advice to drink more water really works.

‘Not only it’s beneficial to our organs but I notice it helps with my skin too. Bye bye zits. The best way to know if we are drinking enough is take your body weight and divide it by two, the result is the amount of ounces we need for the day.’

And she also shared that lowering stress is also very helpful to weight loss. ‘Take it one day at a time,’ said the star who grew up in Washington state. Stress can get in our way but every little step we take makes a difference. Keep it simple! Be kind to yourself.’

May 21, 2024
Mel B and her 25-year-old daughter Phoenix Chi join the new season of Celebrity Gogglebox, marking their return to the show after the Spice Girl’s previous appearance with Ruby Wax.

Mel B and her lookalike daughter Phoenix Chi will appear in the upcoming series of Celebrity Gogglebox, it has been announced.

Phoenix, 25, is Mel’s firstborn, conceived during Mel’s short-lived marriage to Dutch back-up dancer Jimmy Gulzar.

Mel has a further two children, both girls: Angel Murphy Brown, 17, with Eddie Murphy and Madison Brown Belafonte, 11, with her ex-husband Stephen Belafonte.

Channel 4’s Gogglebox has been airing since 2013 and its celebrity edition has seen the likes of Graham Norton, Naomi Campbell, and Jeremy Corbyn.

This will be Mel’s second Gogglebox foray: she appeared in a 2022 special with British-American actress Ruby Wax.

Mel B, 48, and her lookalike daughter Phoenix Chi, 25, will appear in the upcoming series of Celebrity Gogglebox, it has been announced

Phoenix (pictured on Monday) is Mel’s firstborn, conceived during Mel’s short-lived marriage to Dutch back-up dancer Jimmy Gulzar

Channel 4’s Celebrity Gogglebox has seen the likes of Graham Norton, Naomi Campbell, and Jeremy Corbyn (Naomi pictured with Kate Moss and Noel Gallagher)

It will also be Mel and Phoenix’s first time appearing on television together, Phoenix having previously hosted parts of ITV’s Olympics series The Games.

A Celebrity Gogglebox insider told Mirror: ‘It’s so exciting to have Scary Spice and Phoenix on the sofa together, they’re going to be fantastic.’

Leeds native Mel has previously described her eldest child Phoenix, who grew up in the US, as ‘very wise’, which will no doubt come across on the show.

The women share a close bond, with Phoenix frequently dressing up as Mel in her Scary Spice heyday.

The news comes after Mel was confirmed to be joining the cast of Bear Hunt, led by Bear Grylls and Holly Willoughby.

Bear Hunt, filmed in Costa Rica, is an £10 million Netflix adventure show that will see British celebrities go face-to-face in the jungle.

The gruelling endurance reality competition programme is set to star Boris Becker, Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas and rugby legend Danny Cipriani among others.

While other celebrities have landed in Costa Rica, it is unclear whether Mel B has arrived as she was due to speak in Manchester to discuss her memoir Brutally Honest.

An updated re-release, Brutally Honest details Mel’s marriage to ‘abusive’ ex-husband Stephen.

Mel is now happily engaged to Rory McPhee, and the couple are planning to marry in St Paul’s Cathedral – with Victoria Beckham designing Mel’s dress.

It will also be Mel and Phoenix’s first time appearing on television together, Phoenix having previously hosted parts of ITV’s Olympics series The Games

A thrilled insider said: ‘It’s so exciting to have Scary Spice and Phoenix on the sofa together, they’re going to be fantastic’

The women share a close bond, with Phoenix frequently dressing up as Mel in her Scary Spice heyday

Bear Hunt will see Bear hunting down the contestants and when he finds them they will be eliminated from the programme.

There has been a notable security presence and a number of staff members surrounding the hotel where the presenters are staying in the Guanacaste province.

Last month it was reported that Netflix had spent £1million on security to protect Willougby for the adventure show that is set to air next year.

It was claimed ex-special forces and former military guns for hire have been brought in to protect Holly from drugs gangs and kidnappers while in the Central American country which has seen a massive uptick in gang and drug violence in recent years.

The once peaceful nation saw a record number of homicides in 2023, and a 66 percent increase in murders from 2013 to 2023.

The news comes after Mel was confirmed to be joining the cast of Bear Hunt , led by Bear Grylls and Holly Willoughby

May 21, 2024
Blanca Blanco stuns in a semi-sheer pink strapless gown at the Horizon: An American Saga premiere in Cannes

She’s been turning heads during the week while attending the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival on Sunday.

And Eye For Eye actress Blanca Blanco, 43, looked incredible wearing a pink strapless dress which had a semi-sheer panel at the neckline.

She posed on the red carpet of Kevin Costner movie Horizon: An American Saga, which chronicles a multi-faceted, 15-year span of pre-and post-Civil War expansion and settlement of the American west.

Wearing her hair up, Blanca wore a statement necklace and carried a mini purple bag in her hand.

Blanca first hit the premiere of the film Second Act on Tuesday. She is at the festival because her film The Race Of Love, in which she plays a journalist, will show there.

Blanca Blanco looked incredible in a semi-sheer pink strapless gown as she walked the red carpet at the Horizon: An American Saga in Cannes on Sunday

She posed on the red carpet of Kevin Costner movie Horizon: An American Saga, which chronicles a multi-faceted, 15-year span of pre-and post-Civil War expansion and settlement of the American west

The Tale Of Tails star was also seen wearing a pink string bikini as she enjoyed some down time by the shore.

The two piece bathing suit was a hot pink color and had an ivory flower on the top and briefs.

The movie star, who is next in the feature Finding Nicole, wore her long chocolate colored locks down in soft curls and had minimal makeup on with hoop earrings.

‘Morning swim,’ the movie star – who was in the Caribbean in February – wrote in her caption as she added a dolphin emoji.

Earlier this year, the Breaking The Mold author also told DailyMail.com exclusively what her latest workout hack is.

‘On days I feel lazy I break up my workouts to two 10 minute workouts a day,’ she shared. ‘I know it sounds silly but if you run on the treadmill for 10 minutes you do work up a sweat. So I do that in the morning. Then later in the day I will do sit ups for another 10 minutes. So that is a 20 minute workout. It really does help and if you do it every day you can lose a pound a week.

The Tale Of Tails star was also seen wearing a pink string bikini as she enjoyed some down time by the shore

She said she is just like everyone else when it comes to workout burnout.

‘A lot of people think I love to go to the gym, and the truth is I sometimes really don’t, as in sometimes I would love to stay home and binge watch Netflix,’ she told DailyMail.com.

‘I usually work out for one hour a day, five days a week. I do it for my mental health, because it makes me feel so positive. Even those two 10 minute workouts rev me up and shoots up my endorphins.’

She added that there are other workouts she doesn’t consider workouts.

‘I walk around my neighborhood for an hour every day, and I know that burns calories too but I really don’t consider that a workout,’ said the siren who went to her first Emmy Awards this year.

‘I do it to get away from my computer and TV, just to unwind and look at the trees and say hello to neighbors, it’s very healthy. I don’t know why more people don’t do it. Just put on some sneakers and get out there and look at the sunset and let all that pressure from the day roll off you.’

Last year the star, who will next play therapist Alma Gomez in the movie Ash And Bone 2 – also shared with DailyMail.com her diet secrets for 2023 that saves her money.

The TV and movie star wore her long chocolate colored locks down in soft curls and had minimal makeup on with hoop earrings

Earlier this year, the Breaking The Mold author also told DailyMail.com exclusively what her latest workout hack is

Blanca said that staying slender has a lot to do with timing meals.

‘I never eat late at night, this is a golden rule I have adopted this summer. I stop eating at about 6 pm so my body can digest what I have eaten before I go to sleep.

‘So no more late night popcorn bowls or cereal bars. The late night snacks are gone. If I am super hungry I chop up some vegetables and add olive oil and sea salt. But usually I just wait until breakfast to eat.

‘It also saves money. Because sometimes at night I would pop over to Go Greek and buy frozen yogurt to treat myself. I don’t do that anymore.

‘I have pretty much given up all desserts at night. Sometimes I would order a fancy dessert that was like $14 after dinner. No more. Sometimes those desserts at nice restaurants can cost a fortune! Once I ordered a chocolate dessert that was $22. It wasn’t worth it – too expensive and 1,000 calories.

‘If I want something sweet, I have a decaf coffee with some honey.’

‘On days I feel lazy I break up my workouts to two 10 minute workouts a day,’ she shared

‘I know it sounds silly but if you run on the treadmill for 10 minutes you do work up a sweat. So I do that in the morning,’ she said

She said she is just like everyone else when it comes to workout burnout. ‘A lot of people think I love to go to the gym, and the truth is I sometimes really don’t, as in sometimes I would love to stay home and binge watch Netflix ,’ she told DailyMail.com. ‘I usually work out for one hour a day, five days a week. I do it for my mental health, because it makes me feel so positive. Even those two 10 minute workouts rev me up and shoots up my endorphins’

Blanco attends The Second Acts screening and opening ceremony red carpet at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 14

Here she is seen inside the venue as she revealed her lilac gown by French designer Christophe Guillarmé

Blanco in a red dress by Christophe Guillarmé at the Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga premiere on Wednesday. The red dress, white clutch, and blue shawl represent the French flag for the Olympics

The star told DailyMail.com that she is on the Mediterranean Diet at the moment. ‘It is heavy in protein so there are not a lot of carbs, which turn into sugar once metabolized,’ she said.

‘It just requires a lot of fresh vegetables so I am always running to the grocery store.’

The Mediterranean diet beat low-fat diets for weight loss, research has shown.

Switching from an omnivore diet to a plant-based diet was found to help the majority of people lose weight, possibly because of the boost in fiber intake and the reduction of animal proteins in favor of plant proteins, among other reasons, per a systematic review published in Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy in 2020.

In June Blanca talked working out.

‘I try to exercise five days a week for one hour a day,’ said the Mission: Possible star.

‘Cardio and weight training are key. I use weights to stay toned. Ten pound dumbbells are great for toning.

‘Some weeks are challenging to keep up with the routine, I try to be kind to myself when I can’t do routine, and know even one day or five minutes of training a day is 100% better than nothing.

‘I sometimes just walk around my neighborhood for 15 minutes when I don’t have time to go to the gym.

‘I have a walk app too so walking to the car or going to the gas station helps, all add up.’

And she has some diet tricks too.

‘I eat grilled food over fried food. It is healthier for the heart and it lowers cholesterol.

‘High cholesterol runs in my family gene. So I try to work on what I can that is within my control. I love French fries so it’s not easy sometimes.’

And she rules out meat and sugar.

‘For two months now, I decided to go on a pescatarian lifestyle, which is a temporary change.

‘That means no meats, no chicken, and only seafood. I love fish so this works for me. I often order the grilled salmon at restaurants with a side of vegetables.

‘Also I don’t eat sugar, so no desserts, no cake, no ice cream, not thank you! It’s just not worth it for me. Every time I eat a dessert I have to work out another hour and it’s too much time.

‘I only eat sugar from fruits which is great because I love apples and strawberries.

‘I feel it is important to detox the body every once in a while plus it also shock the metabolism. I feel less bloated, more regular and more energy.’

And she says the advice to drink more water really works.

‘Not only it’s beneficial to our organs but I notice it helps with my skin too. Bye bye zits. The best way to know if we are drinking enough is take your body weight and divide it by two, the result is the amount of ounces we need for the day.’

And she also shared that lowering stress is also very helpful to weight loss. ‘Take it one day at a time,’ said the star who grew up in Washington state. Stress can get in our way but every little step we take makes a difference. Keep it simple! Be kind to yourself.’

May 20, 2024
Swiss Eurovision winner Nemo greeted with a hero’s welcome after criticizing contest for ‘double standard’ and calling for changes

Eurovision winner Nemo was swarmed by hundreds of adoring fans on Sunday, as they arrived at Zurich Airport in Switzerland.

The Swiss star, 24, become the competition’s first non-binary winner on Saturday, after they scored 365 points with the juries and 226 from the public for a total of 591 with their song The Code.

And they were greeted by cheers and applause at they returned home, with fans seen waving flags and banners and chanting Nemo’s name.

Nemo announced they are non-binary in November and revealed their song The Code is about them realising their identity and hoped to stand up for ‘the entire LGBTQIA+ community’ by appearing in the contest.

The artist, whose full name is Nemo Mettler, added that when accepting they didn’t ‘feel like a man or a woman… I had to break a few codes.’

Eurovision winner Nemo was swarmed by hundreds of adoring fans on Sunday, as they arrived at Zurich Airport in Switzerland

The Swiss star, 24, become the competition’s first non-binary winner on Saturday, after they scored 365 points with the juries and 226 from the public for a total of 591 with their song The Code

And they were greeted by cheers and applause at they returned home, with fans seen waving flags and banners and chanting Nemo’s name

They beamed as they emerged to the crowd of supporters, before rushing straight over to pose for selfie and sign autographs.

In a press conference later that day, Nemo called their airport welcome ‘extremely beautiful’ and admitted: ‘It showed me how nice it is to be part of a community.’

The musician also proudly held up a non-binary flag and posed for photos in front of powerful fan-made banners that read: ‘Smash the binary: we exist’ and We exist, we insist, we persist’.

Their joy at holding the flag comes after they hit out at Eurovision for not allowing audience members to bring non-binary flags in the arena in Malmö, Sweden.

The song contest has long been associated with the LGBTQ community, often called ‘Queer Christmas’ by fans, with eight of this year’s performers being part of the community and three identifying as non-binary.

However, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) banned the yellow, white, purple and black striped flag, forcing champion Nemo to ‘smuggle’ one in.

In a press conference after their win, Nemo was asked about the decision and branded it ‘unbelievable’, and accused the contest bosses of a ‘double standard’.

They said: ‘I had to smuggle my flag in because Eurovision said no, but I did it anyway, so I hope some people did that too.

Nemo announced they are non-binary in November and revealed their song The Code is about them realising their identity and hoped to stand up for ‘the entire LGBTQIA+ community’ by appearing in the contest

The artist, whose full name is Nemo Mettler, added that when accepting they didn’t ‘feel like a man or a woman… I had to break a few codes’

They beamed as they emerged to the crowd of supporters, before rushing straight over to pose for selfie and sign autographs

In a press conference later that day, Nemo called their airport welcome ‘extremely beautiful’ and admitted: ‘It showed me how nice it is to be part of a community’

The musician also proudly held up a non-binary flag and posed for photos in front of powerful fan-made banners that read: ‘Smash the binary: we exist’ and We exist, we insist, we persist’

‘But, I mean, come on, this is clearly a double standard.’

Moments after Nemo was award the trophy from 2023 winner Loreen, they broke it by accidentally smashing it on the floor.

Referencing the blunder, they declared: ‘As I say, I broke the code and I broke the trophy. The trophy can be fixed – maybe Eurovision needs fixing a little bit too, every now and then’ to huge cheers and applause from the reporters.

The EBU received further backlash after the official Eurovision Twitter account shared a photo of Nemo holding the non-binary flag aloft, with the caption: ‘Non-binary finery’, with fans calling this ‘hypocritical’.

Nemo used their childhood opera experience to create an impressive performance mixing rap, rock, drum ‘n bass and classical opera, as well as balancing on a revolving disc spinning at speed as they belted a tune.

After being announced as the winner, they tearfully said: ‘I want to say thank you so much. I hope this contest can live up to its promise and continue to stand for peace and dignity for every person in this world.’

This year’s competition was mired in controversy and has been deemed the most politically charged in history.

Netherlands entry Joost Klein was given the boot from the competition by EBU bosses after allegedly threatening a member of the crew, prompting outrage across social media and an angry response from Dutch broadcasting bosses who curtly told reporters: ‘F*** the EBU.’

Their joy at holding the flag comes after they hit out at Eurovision for not allowing audience members to bring non-binary flags in the arena in Malmö, Sweden

The song contest has long been associated with the LGBTQ community, often called ‘Queer Christmas’ by fans, with eight of this year’s performers being part of the community and three identifying as non-binary

In a press conference after their win, Nemo was asked about the EBU decision to ban the flags and branded it ‘unbelievable’, and accused the contest bosses of a ‘double standard’

Moments after Nemo was award the trophy, they accidentally broke it and referencing the blunder, they said:’ The trophy can be fixed – maybe Eurovision needs fixing a little bit too, every now and then’

While the contest has been dominated by international fury at the inclusion of Israel, amid the war in Gaza.

Several acts appeared to make anti-war statements – Ireland’s Bambie Thug shouting ‘love will always triumph hate’, Portugal’s Iolanda telling the crowd ‘Peace will prevail’ and France’s Slimane shouting: ‘United by music for love and for peace.’

While Fred Leone, who was part of Australia’s entry Electric Fields, had a symbol of a watermelon on his chest, which he confirmed was a pro-Palestinian message.

The fruit has become associated with Palestine because its colours match the state’s flag.

Sharing a picture of himself performing at the semi-finals, Fred wrote: ‘That’s a watermelon on my chest. From the river to the sea! 200 million people watched and celebrated while innocent children, mothers and fathers die by the thousands in a GENOCIDE.

‘I’m down with Jewish people. Israel is not Judaism. Israel doesn’t represent Jewish people. I am not down with f**ing GENOCIDE.’

He added: ‘All my love to the children of Palestine❤️. You can disagree that’s fine but history will condemn you as [an idiot].’

And Swedish singer Eric Saade, who was one of three former contestants opening the contest in Malmo, tied a keffiyeh – which has become a symbol of support for Palestine amid the conflict in the Middle East – around his wrist.

The contest has been marred in controversy amid Israel’s presence while it wars against Hamas in Gaza – with pro-Palestinian protesters descending on Malmo (pictured)

Several acts appeared to make anti-war statements, with Swedish singer Eric Saade, who was one of three former contestants opening the contest in Malmo, wearing a keffiyeh – which has become a symbol of support for Palestine – around his wrist

Outside the arena, hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered, including Greta Thunberg, to call on organisers to ban Israel (pictured)

They locked arms and lay on the ground outside the venue draped in Palestine flags, while also telling ticket-holders walking into the arena: ‘Shame on you’

Event chief Martin Osterdahl was also met with a chorus of boos as he made the traditional ‘good to go’ announcement.

He was then booed again giving results on behalf of the Netherlands, which quit the contest in protest of its act being axed.

Outside the arena, hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered, including Greta Thunberg, to call on organisers to ban Israel.

They locked arms and lay on the ground outside the venue draped in Palestine flags, while also telling ticket-holders walking into the arena: ‘Shame on you’.

The Israeli act Eden Golan failed to win over the juries, scoring just 52 points from the professional judges.

Her song was renamed from October Rain to Hurricane, after being deemed too political, and what were thought to be allusions to the October 7 attacks were removed.

Nemo alluded to the many controversies and increasingly tension surrounding this year’s Eurovision, admitting their ‘whole experience was really intense, and not just pleasant all the way’.

They added: ‘There were a lot of things that didn’t seem like it was all about love and unity. And that made me really sad and at the same time … there was so much love here as well.’

Nemo called for ‘more compassion’ and ’empathy’, and said their win was dedicated to ‘people that are daring to be themselves and people that need to be heard and need to be understood’.

The Israeli act Eden Golan failed to win over the juries, after her song was renamed from October Rain to Hurricane, after being deemed too political, and what were thought to be allusions to the October 7 attacks were removed (pictured)

Nemo alluded to the many controversies and increasingly tension surrounding this year’s Eurovision, admitting their ‘whole experience was really intense, and not just pleasant all the way’

May 13, 2024
Why was Dutch Eurovision contestant Joost Klein removed from the contest and how has the public responded?

Eurovision fans were shocked on Friday when Dutch contender Joost Klein was axed from the contest, just one day before the grand final.

Entering with the song Europapa, a tribute to his late parents, the 26-year-old rapper and singer had qualified for the live final on Thursday evening at the Malmo Arena venue in Sweden.

Joost was later informed he would no longer be allowed to compete after being quizzed by police over an incident involving ‘a female member of the production crew’.

His participation was already in doubt after he failed to perform at two dress rehearsals early on Friday, before it was officially announced he was out of the show.

So why was Joost Klein axed from the competition and what as the reaction been since?

Eurovision fans were shocked on Friday when Dutch contender Joost Klein was axed from the contest, just one day before the grand final

Why was he axed?

Swedish police announced on Friday it was investigating Joost following a complaint made by ‘a female member of the production crew’ over an incident after his semi-final performance.

This latest development plunged the show into further chaos, with organisers already on high alert for the final, having erected a huge ring of steel barriers around the competition venue in preparation for a planned protest.

There was also a heavy police presence as thousands of pro-Palestine protesters are set to descend on the Swedish city of Malmo, Sweden, where the final took place, to reiterate calls to ban Israeli singer Eden Golan from competing.

Golan has become a lightning rod for criticism from protesters who have demanded she be excluded from the competition, while others have called for a boycott of the famous song contest and a ceasefire in the seven-month war in Gaza.

The 20-year-old contestant has also been preparing for a fiery reception herself as she was filmed rehearsing her power ballad Hurricane while other members of her team try to throw her off with loud boos and pro-Palestinian chants.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced on Saturday that Klein would no longer be competing just hours before the final is set to take place.

A statement from the EBU said: ‘The Dutch artist Joost Klein will not be competing in the Grand Final of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

Entering with the song Europapa, a tribute to his late parents, the 26-year-old rapper and singer had qualified for the live final on Thursday evening at the Malmo Arena venue in Sweden

‘Swedish police have investigated a complaint made by a female member of the production crew after an incident following his performance in Thursday night’s Semi Final.

‘While the legal process takes its course, it would not be appropriate for him to continue in the Contest.

‘We would like to make it clear that, contrary to some media reports and social media speculation, this incident did not involve any other performer or delegation member.

‘We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards inappropriate behaviour at our event and are committed to providing a safe and secure working environment for all staff at the Contest.

‘In light of this, Joost Klein’s behaviour towards a team member is deemed in breach of Contest rules.

‘The Grand Final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest will now proceed with 25 participating songs.’

Dutch broadcaster Avrotros has said that it found Klein’s disqualification from the contest ‘disproportionate’.

In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, the Netherlands’ delegation’s official page Songfestival said: ‘We have taken note of the disqualification by the EBU. @AVROTROS finds the disqualification disproportionate and is shocked by the decision. We deeply regret this and will come back to this later.’

Joost Klein was disqualified following an alleged incident involving a camera operator backstage

His time in the competition

The Dutch singer was one of the bookies’ favourites to win the contest with his playful pop-rap song Europapa which mixes tunes of pop with happy hardcore and was described by one critic as being ‘so bad’ it will ‘put you off music forever’.

But the incident dashed his chances of winning the contest after he reportedly disagreed with a camera operator over an incident backstage.

Klein, who lost his parents at a young age, said the song is about an orphan who travels around Europe trying to find himself, as his father taught him to believe in a Europe without borders.

Klein failed to perform at dress rehearsals on Friday after the incident on Thursday; Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS has hit out at the ‘disproportionate’ actions of the EBU, which said it would be ‘inappropriate’ for the performer to compete.

Klein had already courted controversy after clashing with Israel entrant Eden Golan, whose song Hurricane had to be rewritten and renamed after it appeared to allude to the October 7 attacks by Hamas.

On Thursday, as Golan was told she did not have to answer a question on whether she felt her presence presented a risk to other Eurovision performers, Klein snapped ‘Why not?’ and covered his head as she spoke.

Golan replied: ‘I think we’re all here for one reason, and one reason only. The EBU is taking all safety precautions to make this a safe and united place for everyone.

‘So I think it’s safe for everyone or we wouldn’t be here.’

The singer clashed with Israel’s Eden Golan (right) during a press conference on Thursday after she was asked a question about the safety of other performers

The Dutch singer was one of the bookies’ favourites to win the contest with his playful pop-rap song Europapa which mixes tunes of pop with happy hardcore and was described by one critic as being ‘so bad’ it will ‘put you off music forever’

What has the reaction been since?

More than 175,000 fans have signed a petition calling for the rapper to be reinstated in the contest – but its organiser has admitted defeat, writing online: ‘Sadly we didn’t get the EBU’s attention, but we will always show love for Joost.’

Fans continue to show their support for the contestant, with some claiming he is ‘the real winner’ – despite Switzerland’s Nemo receiving the trophy during Saturday’s final.

One wrote on social media platform X: ‘We support you’;

‘Thank you Joost, for bringing Europe together. Shame on you EBU!’;

‘I feel so sad for him’;

‘Joost you will be known as the winner of Eurovision 2024’

A petition demanding that Klein is reinstated in the competition has gathered more than 175,000 signatures

But its author has admitted that the plea has fallen on deaf ears, wring: ‘Sadly we didn’t get the EBU’s attention’

Fans continue to show their support for the contestant, with some claiming he is ‘the real winner’ – despite Switzerland’s Nemo receiving the trophy during Saturday’s final

May 12, 2024
Eurovision 2024: Olly Alexander and other finalists leave hotel on the day of the show amidst last-minute chaos

Olly Alexander was seen departing his hotel alongside fellow Eurovision finalists in Malmo, Sweden ahead of Saturday’s final.

The singer, 33, who has ‘incredibly low odds’ at winning the competition, is representing the United Kingdom with his hit Dizzy in the final tonight.

This year’s competition has been thrown into chaos just hours before the finale air after Dutch contender Joost Klein, 26, was axed from the contest.

But remaining in positive spirts, UK act Olly couldn’t wipe the smile off his face as he headed to the final dress rehearsal before the real thing.

Hoping to take home tonight’s win, Finland’s act Windows95Man, real name Teemu Keisteri, turned heads in his multi-coloured fur coat as he departed his hotel.

Olly Alexander, 33, was seen departing his hotel alongside fellow Eurovision finalists in Malmo, Sweden ahead of Saturday’s final

Hoping to take home tonight’s win, Finland’s act Windows95Man, real name Teemu Keisteri, turned heads in his multi-coloured fur coat as he departed his hotel

Nemo Mettler, 24, who is representing Switzerland, was swarmed by fans and protected by his security as he left his hotel.

Italy’s act Angelina Mango, 23, looked stylish in oversized denim jeans, chunky black boots and a statement coat.

Bambie Thug, 31, who is representing Ireland in the competition, cut a unique figure in pink slipper-like shoes and wore special FX make-up.

Singing duo Nebulossa Mery Bas, 56, and Mark Dasousa, 50, who are performing for Spain, kept close to one another on the outing.

Israel’s Eurovision contestant Eden Golan, who has faced backlash for her appearance in the competition, wasn’t seen departing the hotel.

Joost was quizzed by police over an incident involving ‘a female member of the production crew’.

Entering with the song Europapa, a tribute to his late parents, the 26-year-old Dutch rapper and singer had qualified for the grand final on Thursday evening at the Malmo Arena venue in Sweden but will no longer be allowed to compete.

His participation was already in doubt after he failed to perform at two dress rehearsals on Friday, with Swedish police later announcing it was investigating the singer following a complaint made by ‘a female member of the production crew’ over an incident after his semi-final performance.

This year’s competition has been thrown into chaos just hours before the finale air after Dutch contender Joost Klein, 26, (pictured) was axed from the contest

But remaining in positive spirts, UK act Olly couldn’t wipe the smile off his face as he headed to the final dress rehearsal before the real thing

Windows95man looked fit and ready to take part in tonight’s final

Italy’s act Angelina Mango, 23, looked stylish in oversized denim jeans, chunky black boots and a statement coat

Singer Angelina was greeted by dozens of fans on her departure

Nemo Mettler, 24, who is representing Switzerland, was swarmed by fans and protected by his security as he left his hotel

Bambie Thug, 31, who is representing Ireland in the competition, cut a unique figure in pink slipper-like shoes and wore special FX make-up

Singing duo Nebulossa Mery Bas, 56, and Mark Dasousa, 50, who are performing for Spain, kept close to one another on the outing

Years and Years singer Olly is representing the United Kingdom with his hit Dizzy in the final tonight

This latest development has only plunged the show into further chaos, with organisers already on high alert for tonight’s final, having erected a huge ring of steel barriers around the competition venue in preparation for a planned protest.

There is also a heavy police presence as thousands of pro-Palestine protesters are set to descend on the Swedish city of Malmo, Sweden, where the final is taking place, to reiterate calls to ban Israeli singer Eden from competing.

Eden has become a lightning rod for criticism from protesters who have demanded she be excluded from the competition, while others have called for a boycott of the famous song contest and a ceasefire in the seven-month war in Gaza.

The 20-year-old contestant has also been preparing for a fiery reception herself as she was filmed rehearsing her power ballad Hurricane while other members of her team try to throw her off with loud boos and pro-Palestinian chants.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced on Saturday that Klein would no longer be competing just hours before the final is set to take place.

A statement from the EBU said: ‘The Dutch artist Joost Klein will not be competing in the Grand Final of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

‘Swedish police have investigated a complaint made by a female member of the production crew after an incident following his performance in Thursday night’s Semi Final.

‘While the legal process takes its course, it would not be appropriate for him to continue in the Contest.

Joost was quizzed by police over an incident involving ‘a female member of the production crew’

‘We would like to make it clear that, contrary to some media reports and social media speculation, this incident did not involve any other performer or delegation member.

‘We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards inappropriate behaviour at our event and are committed to providing a safe and secure working environment for all staff at the Contest.

‘In light of this, Joost Klein’s behaviour towards a team member is deemed in breach of Contest rules.

‘The Grand Final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest will now proceed with 25 participating songs.’

The Dutch singer was one of the bookies’ favourites to win the contest with his playful pop-rap song Europapa which mixes tunes of pop with happy hardcore and was described by one critic as being ‘so bad’ it will ‘put you off music forever’.

May 11, 2024
Famke Janssen, 59, stuns in cream-colored mini dress as she leaves Up2Us Sports 2024 Sneaker Ball in NYC

Famke Janssen was spotted in New York City rocking a cream-colored lace baby doll dress.

The 59-year-old Dutch actress — who wore a similar look to the Boys Kill World premiere in April — bared her long, toned legs in the dainty look.

She rounded out her ultra-feminine getup with a pair of metallic silver Mary Jane shoes with a modest block heel.

Her frock was short-sleeved and adorned with a sparkly bow at the collar, which matched her small white clutch.

It appeared the star was ending her night after attending the Up2Us Sports 2024 Sneaker Ball.

Famke Janssen was spotted in New York City rocking a cream-colored lace baby doll dress

The 59-year-old Dutch actress — who wore a similar look to the Boys Kill World premiere in April — bared her long, toned legs in the dainty look

The 6ft-tall beauty wore a pair of white socks with yellow smiley faces printed on them.

She looked beautiful with her long and lustrous dark hair flowing down her back in soft curls and a side part.

Her face was flawlessly made up with a flattering palette that complemented her features.

Janssen famously played in the James Bond film GoldenEye alongside Pierce Brosnan in 1995.

And she plays Hilda van der Koy in Boy Kills World, which stars Bill Skarsgard, 33, as the lead.

The longtime silver screen siren also had a role in the hit cosmetic surgery series Nip/Tuck.

She also played Sophie in Michael Caton-Jones’ hitman drama Asher (2018).

Famke appeared as the prosecutor Nancy Ryan in Ava Duvernay’s four-episode Netflix dramatic miniseries based on the Central Park Five, called When They See Us.

She rounded out her ultra-feminine getup with a pair of metallic silver Mary Jane shoes with a modest block heel

Her frock was short-sleeved and adorned with a sparkly bow at the collar, which matched her small white clutch

It appeared the star was ending her night after attending the Up2Us Sports 2024 Sneaker Ball

The former Bond girl previously played Susan ‘Scottie’ Hargrave in The Blacklist and then the spin-off show Redemption, which was later cancelled.

She is also a Columbia University graduate.

She was married to writer and director Kip Williams, the son of architect Tod Williams.

They divorced in 2000 after five years of marriage.

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Famke Janssen, 59, puts on a leggy display as she heads home in cream-colored mini dress after Up2Us Sports 2024 Sneaker Ball in NYC

May 10, 2024