Nicki Minaj Goes Above and Beyond to Make Amends with Fans
After serving her fans a pretty big s**t sandwich when she missed the first night of her UK tour, Nicki Minaj is going all out to make it up to them. The American singer canned her gig in Manchester 30 minutes before she was due on stage on Saturday after being held by Dutch police for “possessing soft drugs”.
Nicki Minaj’s Apology Tour
After landing in the city in the early hours yesterday, Nicki went straight out to meet her fans outside the Stock Exchange Hotel — some of whom had gone there from the venue — in a desperate bid to make amends. Clips shared online showed her telling them: “I love you . . . and I’m so sorry.” Jennifer Malone, from Manchester, flew home from New York for the show. She was joining her little sister at her first concert for her birthday. Jennifer said: “I’ve spent over £2,000, she’s ruined my trip. “I’m furious, I can’t believe Nicki would let her fans down like this.”
Nicki’s Special Connection with Fans
Those close to Nicki told me she was determined to make it up to her fans, many of whom had travelled from around the country to see her perform. A tour insider told me: “Nicki is in pieces and knows her fans have badly been let down. “She knows her British fans spent a lot of money on coming to that show and her team is working non-stop to get it rescheduled. “Nicki understands why they are upset and she is so determined to make it up to them.
Celine Dion’s Hope for One Final Performance
She may be down but Celine Dion isn’t out. Insiders told me the singer, who is living with stiff person syndrome, hopes she will be able to return for one final performance. She is said to be considering a recorded TV special. The Canadian superstar has been working on her voice at home as she continues to try to fight the illness. A source said: “Celine is not giving up her desire to sing again. She has been working with voice coaches, band members, and specialists for over six months now. She believes she could release a concert film featuring her playing her biggest hits.
Aespa Takes London by Storm with New Album
K-POP girl group Aespa sold out London’s O2 Arena last year and they are ready to ascend to new heights with their new album. They posed in these pink and purple outfits to promote their first full studio record Armageddon, which is out today. The ten-track collection features slick and rich pop tracks, so if you’re missing the spicy sound of a girlband in your life, give it a spin.
You Me At Six’s Final Festival Gig at Slam Dunk
It was an emotional night at Slam Dunk for You Me At Six – who played their final ever festival gig at the rock event. On stage, frontman Josh Franceschi took a moment to thank their fans for helping the band launch their career in 2004 with EP We Know What It Means To Be Alone. Josh said: “When we were 14 and 15, all we wanted to do is be in a band, travel the world, and be part of something more than just being a couple of d***heads in high school. And people like you welcomed us . . . I want to say thank you for making our dreams come true . . . It’s almost over –but not quite.”
Stevie Nicks and Taylor Swift’s Friendship
She is pals with Harry Styles, now Stevie Nicks is friends with his ex Taylor Swift. Tay gave Stevie a shout out on her song Clara Bow. And on stage at a US festival, the Fleetwood Mac legend wore a friendship bracelet favored by Swifties. Stevie’s bracelet had TTPD on it, the initials of Taylor’s new album The Tortured Poet’s Department.
Simon Pegg’s Mission Impossible
REMEMBERING your lines as an actor can be tricky at the best of times. But when you’re freezing on a snowy mountain and having explosions going off around you, it’s even more difficult. Simon Pegg knows this all too well, according to stuntman Luke Smith, who is working with him on the next Mission: Impossible 8 film. At the Kodak party at the Cannes Film Festival in France, Luke said: “Simon was performing in a cabin in the mountains. They filled it with snow then blew it up and Simon’s there doing his dialogue.
Lily Collins’ Scooter Ride in France
Lily Collins beat the traffic in France by riding a scooter with her husband, film director Charlie McDowell. The actress is filming the next series of Netflix comedy Emily In Paris and after hours spent the evening exploring the French capital with Charlie. My exclusive pictures show the pair holding hands as they went sightseeing before they hopped onto an electric scooter to speed up their tour.
AJ Tracey’s Fiery Performance at BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend
AJ Tracey lit up the stage at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend yesterday – and it wasn’t just the enormous flames which made it so hot. The London-born rapper put on a show to remember in front of a packed crowd in Luton. AJ must have been absolutely baking in a black jacket and cap as he played hits including Ladbroke Grove and Thiago Silva.
Jamie Laing’s First Time at Radio 1 Big Weekend
JAMIE LAING made the most of his first time at the Radio 1 Big Weekend. The massive event – which saw 105,000 revelers at Luton’s Stockwood Park – had Jamie, pictured, broadcasting live with co-hosts Katie Thistleton and Vick Hope. And when I caught up with them backstage, it sounded like it had been fun. Jamie told me: “I’ve been driving the golf buggies and the trucks but I don’t have a truck license. We tried to steal a buggy and I got told off.” Unscathed, the pair watched Aitch and Raye on Saturday before Sabrina Carpenter and Coldplay closed the show last night.
I’D hate to be lumped with loading Adele’s bags on to a plane. The singer has started packing ahead of her residency shows in Munich, Germany, and said: “Six weeks is very long time away for me to be packing for. I’ll turn up with 50 suitcases.”