As the 2021 Met Gala kicked off in New York City, rapper Nicki Minaj took to Twitter to reveal that she wouldn’t be attending the event because of its COVID-19 vaccine requirement.
“They want you to get vaccinated for the Met. If I get vaccinated it won’t for the Met,” Minaj, who has 22.6 million Twitter followers, wrote. “It’ll be once I feel I’ve done enough research. I’m working on that now. In the meantime my loves, be safe. Wear the mask with 2 strings that grips your head & face. Not that loose one.”
They want you to get vaccinated for the Met. if I get vaccinated it won’t for the Met. It’ll be once I feel I’ve done enough research. I’m working on that now. In the meantime my loves, be safe. Wear the mask with 2 strings that grips your head & face. Not that loose one 🙏♥️
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) September 13, 2021
Minaj then shared that her cousin isn’t getting vaccinated because “his friend got it & became impotent.” “So just pray on it & make sure you’re comfortable with ur decision, not bullied,” Minaj said. There has not been any research that has proven that the COVID-19 vaccine and erectile dysfunction are linked, according to the FDA fact sheets for the Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.
My cousin in Trinidad won’t get the vaccine cuz his friend got it & became impotent. His testicles became swollen. His friend was weeks away from getting married, now the girl called off the wedding. So just pray on it & make sure you’re comfortable with ur decision, not bullied
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) September 13, 2021
However, Minaj later tweeted that she will “b vaccinated as well cuz I have to go on tour, etc.” She then asked her fans, “Which vaccine would you recommend?” and shared a poll listing out Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson.
I know babe. A lot of countries won’t let ppl work w/o the vaccine. I’d def recommend they get the vaccine. They have to feed their families. I’m sure I’ll b vaccinated as well cuz I have to go on tour, etc. https://t.co/7SK5Df0yBf
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) September 13, 2021
Take the poll. #QueenRadio Vaccines
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) September 13, 2021
Minaj’s tweets about the vaccine started when a fan pointed out that her last public appearance was over a year ago. Minaj, who gave birth to her first child in October, then implied that she contracted COVID-19 while prepping for the VMAs, which she did not appear at on Sunday night. It was then that she shared her views on vaccination.
“Do u know what it is not to be able to kiss or hold your tiny baby for over a week? A baby who is only used to his mama? ‘get vaccinated’ Drake had just told me he got covid w/ THE VACCINE tho so chile.” Representatives for Drake did not immediately respond to Variety‘s request for comment.
Love u babe. I was prepping for vmas then i shot a video & guess who got COVID? Do u know what it is not to be able to kiss or hold your tiny baby for over a week? A baby who is only used to his mama? “get vaccinated” Drake had just told me he got covid w|THE VACCINE tho so chile https://t.co/wInXoJcHBn
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) September 13, 2021
When a fan pointed out that the COVID-19 vaccine prevents serious symptoms including death, Minaj responded: “Babe. That’s not true. I had the exact same symptoms as ppl with the damn vaccine.” According to the CDC, COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, with millions of people having received the vaccines “under the most intense safety monitoring in U.S. history.” Vaccinated individuals are also far less likely to develop complications or require hospitalization.
Babe. That’s not true. I had the exact same symptoms as ppl with the damn vaccine https://t.co/8Vg60ubZxx
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) September 13, 2021
Representatives for Minaj’s label and management did not immediately respond to Variety‘s request for comment.