Nicki Minaj has responded to rumors that one of her backup dancers was involved in the murder of one of her fans after her concert in Tokyo this past week.
James Blackston, a 23-year-old dancer who claims to have danced for Jennifer Lopez, Chris Brown and the Black Eyed Peas and an unidentified teenage male—both Americans—were arrested in Tokyo following the death of Nicola Furlong, a 19-year-old exchange student from Ireland.
James and the male teen, an alleged musician, were reportedly both in the hotel suite where Nicola was found unconscious at around 3:20 a.m early Thursday morning at the Keio Plaza Hotel, police told the Japan Times. A hotel employee came to the room after receiving a complaint about loud noises and found the teen in the room with Furlong, while James was in another room with the victim’s friend. James and the teen were arrested for murder.
Police say that Nicola died of suffocation by cervical compression and may have been sexually assault after she was already dead. They’re also investigating whether or not the girls’ drinks were spiked before the incident.
James was reported to be a backup dancer for Nicki’s tour, which the rapper has adamantly denied. In fact, she took to Twitter to offer condolences to Nicola’s family, as well as to state that none of her dancers have anything to do with the situation. She doesn’t even know who the guys are that were arrested.
“Saddened to learn one of my precious fans found tragically (dead) in Japan. My love & prayers are with the family of Nicola Furlong.
@PerezHilton my dancers had nothing to do w/this tragedy. No one in my entourage was questioned or arrested. They all flew home from Japan. @PerezHilton that person on your sight is NOT my dancer. We do NOT know the men in custody. Too much misleading information.”
What a sad situation! Offering thoughts and prayers for Nicola’s family, and that justice is served.
Image via Necole Bitchie
