Nicki Minaj has dropped out of two scheduled BET events after the network appeared to insult her on social media on Sunday night during the 2019 Grammy Awards.
BET referenced the "Good Form" rapper while congratulating her nemesis Cardi B for her win for best rap album — the first time in history it’s ever been done by a solo female — in a post that read, “Meanwhile, Nicki Minaj is being dragged by her lacefront.”
Minaj, 36, took offense to the post, prompting her to announce on Monday that she had decided to scrap her appearance at BET Experience and BET Awards later this summer, which Cardi, 26, will also be participating in.
“Young Money will no longer be apart of the BET Experience or award show,” she Tweeted with hearts and a praying hand emoji. “Summer Tour dates dropping soon.”
Young Money will no longer be apart of the BET Experience or award show. ???????????? Summer Tour dates dropping soon ????
— QUEEN (@NICKIMINAJ) February 11, 2019
Minaj also posted photos of the since-deleted post, in addition to reactions from her enraged fans. She followed up her announcement by thanking her fans for their undying love and support.
“I can’t thank you guys enough for all the love & support you continue to show me,” she wrote with heart and unicorn emojis. “To everyone who said something sweet, thank you. Whether I read it or not, I felt it. From the bottom of my heart. I love you so much. So so so soooo much. Stay tuned.”
I can’t thank you guys enough for all the love & support you continue to show me. To everyone who said something sweet, thank you. Whether I read it or not, I felt it. From the bottom of my heart. I love you so much. So so so soooo much. Stay tuned. ????????????????????????
— QUEEN (@NICKIMINAJ) February 11, 2019
The network has since apologized for the offending post.
“BET loves Nicki Minaj. We have supported her from the very beginning of her career and will continue to do so moving forward,” representatives for the network told PEOPLE in a statement. “Nicki has paved the way for so many performers and has solidified her place as one of the most powerful figures in the music industry. Unfortunately the respect we have for Nicki was violated by this post that should never have been written. The post does not reflect how we feel about Nicki. And further does not reflect our company values. We deeply apologize for the hurt, disappointment and confusion that this post has caused. We are committed to doing everything we can to address the situation. We are also conducting an internal audit to assure these types of posts are not published again. We have apologized to Nicki and her team. The post has been removed and we have taken additional appropriate action. We understand Nicki’s position and look forward to continuing our dialogue with her. Finally, we apologize to all of her fans. This should have never happened.”
The first hints of tension between Minaj and Cardi B began in the spring of 2017, when Minaj appeared to “like” a fan’s Instagram comment dismissing one of Cardi B’s rap verses as “Dumb ass bars.” However, many users were quick to observe that this “like” could have been the result of Photoshop fakery or an account hack. After nearly a year of their simmering feud, the pair were involved in an explosive physical assault at Harper’s Bazaar’s ICONS party last September.
RELATED: Cardi B and Nicki Minaj: A Brief History of Their Tumultuous Relationship
In the week leading up to music’s biggest night, Ariana Grande announced her decision to pull out of her appearance due to a a disagreement with Grammy producer Ken Ehrlich and his team — a move Minaj fully endorsed.
RELATED: Cardi B Is ‘Sharing This Grammy’ with Mac Miller After Ariana Grande Airs Frustration He Lost
Grande wanted to perform “7 Rings,” her latest break-up anthem released in January, and producers allegedly refused, prompting her to feel “insulted,” according to Variety. Eventually, both parties reached a compromise that included “7 Rings” as part of a medley, and that Grande could pick whichever second song she wanted. But she still rejected the offer, the outlet reports.
RELATED: Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj Slam Rumors of a Feud: ‘No Silly Ass, We Love Each Other’
Later, Grande, 25, shared a screenshot of an Associated Press story in which Ehrlich said she “felt it was too late for her to pull something together” for the show after a month of negotiating.
“i’ve kept my mouth shut but now you’re lying about me. i can pull together a performance over night and you know that, Ken. it was when my creativity & self expression was stifled by you, that i decided not to attend. i hope the show is exactly what you want it to be and more,” she said.
i’ve kept my mouth shut but now you’re lying about me. i can pull together a performance over night and you know that, Ken. it was when my creativity & self expression was stifled by you, that i decided not to attend. i hope the show is exactly what you want it to be and more. ????
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) February 7, 2019
“i offered 3 different songs. it’s about collaboration. it’s about feeling supported. it’s about art and honesty. not politics. not doing favors or playing games. it’s just a game y’all.. and i’m sorry but that’s not what music is to me,” Grande added.
i offered 3 different songs. it’s about collaboration. it’s about feeling supported. it’s about art and honesty. not politics. not doing favors or playing games. it’s just a game y’all.. and i’m sorry but that’s not what music is to me.
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) February 7, 2019
Promoting her Apple Music Beats 1 show Queen Radio on Monday, Minaj revealed that she too has had issues with Ehrlich, and will reveal them in detail during her next show.
RELATED: Ariana Grande Tweets & Deletes Angry Messages as Mac Miller Loses Grammy: ‘Literal Bulls-‘
“I pissed off the same man Ariana just called out for lying,” she wrote in response to a fan, showing her longtime collaborator support. “Grammy producer KEN. I was bullied into staying quiet for 7 years out of fear. But I’ll tell my fans the REAL on the next episode of #QueenRadio they deserve the truth. Also, CONGRATS to everyone who won last night.”
I pissed off the same man Ariana just called out for lying. Grammy producer KEN. I was bullied into staying quiet for 7 years out of fear. But I’ll tell my fans the REAL on the next episode of #QueenRadio they deserve the truth.
— QUEEN (@NICKIMINAJ) February 11, 2019
Also, CONGRATS to everyone who won last night. ???????? https://t.co/YjmoIOPt6o
Grande took home the award for best pop vocal album for Sweetner at the 2019 Grammy Awards on Sunday night. She was also up for best pop solo performance for “God Is a Woman.” While the pop powerhouse decided to forego the ceremony at L.A.’s Staples Center, she still modeled what would have been her head-to-toe red carpet look — a Zac Posen gown and Borgioni and Butani jewels.
—Reporting by SARAH MICHAUD
