Nicki Minaj abruptly canceled her scheduled performance at Romania’s SAGA Festival citing safety concerns related to anticipated protests in Bucharest. In a statement shared on social media, Minaj expressed her decision, saying, “Out of concern for the well-being of our team and myself, I have been advised by my security detail not to travel to Romania’s festival tonight due to safety concerns regarding protests in the area.” She emphasized her role as a mother in making decisions that ensure her and her team’s safety, adding, “To not heed the advice of security at this time is simply not what I think I should be doing.”
The organizers of SAGA Festival expressed disappointment over Minaj’s cancellation, clarifying that it was unrelated to the festival itself and beyond their control. They assured ticket holders of refunds for the sold-out Sunday event. Meanwhile, details about the specific protests mentioned by Minaj pointed to civil society groups planning a demonstration in Bucharest on the following day, advocating for fiscal policy reforms. Despite predictions of a peaceful demonstration with potential localized disruptions, Minaj’s concern for safety remained a decisive factor.
This incident isn’t the first time Minaj has faced concert cancellations. Previously, in May, she missed a performance in Manchester due to an arrest at Amsterdam airport. She claimed mistreatment due to her race after allegedly being detained for carrying drugs, causing delays that led to the cancellation of her scheduled show. Despite these setbacks, Minaj is set to headline the Wireless Festival in London later this week, promising fans another opportunity to see her perform.
In summary, Nicki Minaj’s decision to cancel her appearance at SAGA Festival underscores her prioritization of safety amid anticipated protests in Bucharest, aligning with previous instances where unforeseen circumstances affected her concert schedules.