Nicki Minaj is at the center of a legal battle as a former tour employee, Brandon Garrett, has filed a lawsuit accusing the rapper of assault and emotional distress. The lawsuit, submitted to the Los Angeles Superior Court on January 3, stems from an incident that reportedly occurred during Minaj’s Pink Friday 2 tour in Detroit in April 2024.
According to the complaint, Garrett was managing day-to-day operations for Minaj’s tour when the alleged confrontation took place at the Little Caesars Arena on April 21. The tension reportedly began when Nicki Minaj and her former manager, Deb Antney, confronted Garrett in her dressing room over his decision to delegate a task. Garrett had assigned Luke Montgomery, the hospitality manager, to pick up Minaj’s prescriptions instead of handling the errand himself.
Garrett explained that he delegated the task because he was assisting Minaj in her quick-change room during a performance, a responsibility outlined in his job description. However, Minaj allegedly became enraged and berated Garrett, making threatening remarks such as, “You’re a dead man walking.”
The lawsuit claims that the situation escalated when Nicki Minaj demanded to see Montgomery’s phone to review text messages related to the prescription pickup. Garrett alleges that Minaj, after failing to get the information she sought, struck him across the face with an open hand, causing his head to snap backward. Additionally, he claims she hit him on the wrist, causing him to drop documents he was holding.
Garrett recounts locking himself in a bathroom for hours after the alleged assault, fearing for his safety. He later contacted the Chicago Police Department upon returning to the city, requesting a police escort to retrieve his belongings from the tour bus. Garrett states that the incident left him traumatized, prompting him to file police reports in both Chicago and Detroit.
Garrett’s lawsuit accuses Nicki Minaj of assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. He is seeking general, punitive, and exemplary damages, along with other forms of relief.
As this case unfolds, it places a spotlight on the often turbulent dynamics of high-profile tours and the potential fallout between artists and their teams. Neither Nicki Minaj nor her representatives have commented publicly on the allegations at this time.