Nicki Minaj Fights to Keep Private Texts Out of Ex-Assistant’s Assault Case
Written by Kiss Media on 28 October 2026
Nicki Minaj is pushing back in court as her former employee seeks access to her private text messages. The rapper is refusing to turn over certain messages requested in the lawsuit brought by Brandon Garrett, who worked as her day-to-day manager during the Pink Friday 2 World Tour — and she says some of the messages he wants do not even exist.
Court documents show Garrett is seeking communications Minaj exchanged with other people about his employment between January and April 2024, as well as messages discussing the alleged assault at the center of the case. Minaj has objected to other requests as overly broad, while maintaining she has no messages about the incident itself.
The disagreement is the latest flashpoint in an already contentious discovery process. Garrett previously accused Minaj and her company, Pink Personality Inc., of failing to adequately respond to questions about the incident, arguing the delays interfered with his ability to pursue the lawsuit. In April, he sought $3,900 in legal expenses over the alleged shortfalls. Her attorneys countered that they supplied responses in July and additional information in September, and argued his earlier requests for court intervention were outdated.
The lawsuit itself stems from an alleged backstage confrontation at Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena on April 21, 2024. Garrett claims Minaj became furious after learning he had asked another employee to collect her prescription medication, and alleges she threatened him — telling him “You’re a dead man walking” — before striking him in the face hard enough to knock off his hat and hitting his wrist. He says he locked himself in a bathroom because he feared for his safety.
Minaj’s attorney at the time rejected the allegations as completely false and frivolous. In January 2025, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office also declined to pursue criminal charges, citing insufficient evidence and requesting further investigation from Detroit police. The civil case, however, rolls on — and now the fight over her phone records is center stage.
Should private messages be fair game in a case like this, or is Nicki right to draw the line? Let us know in the comments, and hit the Kiss 101.7 request line at +1 302-357-9831 with your thoughts and requests.
Source: TMZ and HotNewHipHop
