Few other artists are more invested in their fans than rap star Nicki Minaj. This week, the hip-hop queen publicly mourned the death of one of her Barbz, who was murdered after attending her Tokyo show on May 25.
Nicola Furlong, a 21-year-old fan and foreign exchange student from Dublin City University in Ireland, was found dead in a hotel room just hours after attending Minaj’s show at Zepp Tokyo. On May 31, Minaj took to Twitter to share her sadness over the death of her Barb.
“Saddened to learn one of my precious fans; found tragically murdered in Japan. My love & prayers are with the family of Nicola Furlong,” wrote Minaj.
However, a dancer from Minaj’s camp found themselves accused of committing the crime.
An earlier report from PerezHilton.com claimed that Furlong and her friend, Sarah Maher, met up with Minaj’s backup dancer James Blackston and another musician, Larry Perry, after the show and went with the men to their hotel rooms.
Furlong was later found strangled to death in the room and Maher was reportedly sexually assaulted by both men in a taxi.
However, Minaj denies that Blackston had anything to do with the murder, tweeting directly to Hilton about the rumors.
“My dancers had nothing to do w/this tragedy. No one in my entourage was questioned or arrested. They all flew home from Japan,” she wrote. “That person on your [site] is NOT my dancer. We do NOT know the men in custody. Too much misleading information.”
Further bolstering Minaj’s defense, IrishCentral published a statement from Tokyo police confirming that they arrested two American men, James Blackston, 26, and an unidentified 19-year-old, in connection with the murder.
“These two men allegedly took advantage of a female unable to resist due to the fact she was in a comatose state from a highly alcoholic beverage,” the report states, adding, “As that is an indecent act, they have been charged with quasi forcible indecency.”
The statement also confirms Maher’s claims that she was sexually assaulted by the men.
“On a taxi ride between Shibuya and Shinjuku, they took advantage of a woman by touching her body,” the report states.
Furlong’s body was expected to arrive in her hometown of Curracloe, Ireland, yesterday.
Hopefully, justice will be served for Furlong’s murderers and Minaj’s dancer can be cleared of the scandal.
Below, you can check out some other stars who have had sentimental moments with ill or late fans. –nicholas robinson
