The COVID-19 vaccine is not mandatory or being enforced, but encouraged, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and CDC. Yet, try to go to an event or work a gig in the entertainment industry and there’s a different sentiment. In that world, the vaccination is a requirement and not having it can strip people of their jobs, networking opportunities, and memorable experiences — just ask background actors and production crew.
It is well known that the media has attempted to use Nicki Minaj’s character as a punching bag for judgement. But, now she’s caught up in a sensationalized story that is completely inaccurate. It all started when the “Moment for Life” rapper went on Twitter to share with her fans that she caught COVID-19 right before her VMA appearance, before letting everyone know that she would not be appearing at the Met Gala until she completes her research on the vaccination.
Minaj tweeted, “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.”
She then followed up the tweet with her reason for not being present at the Met Gala.
“They want you to get vaccinated for the Met,” Minaj continued. “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.”
Despite telling others to do their research and to “pray on it,” for some reason an outlet misread her tweets or read them in isolation and published a story that created a life of its own. The most embarrassing finger wag to the new mother came from a fellow Black woman in the entertainment industry.
“People like Nicki Minaj I have to say this, you have a platform that’s 22 million followers on Twitter,” said Joy Ann Reid of MSNBC’s The ReidOut. “It’s a blessing that you got that, for people to listen to you. For you to use your platform to put people in the position of dying from a disease that they don’t have to die from — oh my god, as a fan, as a hip hop fan, somebody’s that your fan — I’m so sad.”
What’s sad is how people make up stories and don’t provide receipts. But, no worries. Minaj had a few fans that caught on to the bubbling rhetoric and went to work to correct the misinformation.
The Met Gala is in New York this year after a two-year hiatus. This year’s event celebrates the theme “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion,” an exhibition of curator Andrew Bolton. Minaj, who has admitted that she’s a little apprehensive about getting the COVID-19 shot, has used her platform to spark dialogue, but has never discouraged anyone from getting the vaccine. She may never get an apology, but hopefully Minaj feels a sense of vindication knowing that some of us can still read.
