Nicki Minaj has finally managed to save her $20 million California mansion by finally paying off the $500.000 she owed a German security guard. The case, which threatened to lead to a forced sale of her home, ended in a “last-minute settlement” in a Los Angeles court.
The famous rapper and her husband Kenneth Petty had ignored for almost two years a court order that required them to pay compensation to Thomas Weidenmüller, a security guard who was seriously injured after an incident of violence during Nicki Wrld's 2019 tour in Germany.
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According to the lawsuit, Nicki Minaj had lashed out at a female security guard, accusing her of allowing a fan onto the stage. Weidenmüller, who was head of security at the event, stepped in to calm the situation and protect his colleague. However, according to his testimony, Minaj and Petty believed he had insulted the singer, and a short time later, in her dressing room, Petty allegedly attacked him and punched him hard in the face.
Weidenmüller was hospitalized for more than a week with a broken jaw and required two surgeries to repair his injuries. He filed a lawsuit against the couple in 2022 for personal injury, negligence, and conspiracy, and in 2024 he was vindicated by a court decision awarding him $500.000 in damages.
However, Minaj and Petty refused to pay, leading Weidenmüller to take legal action against their estate. The court had scheduled a hearing for January 22nd that could lead to a forced sale of their Hidden Hills home, an area home to celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Drake.
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Shortly before the final order was issued, Minaj's lawyers announced that the debt had been paid in full. Weidenmüller's lawyer, Paul Saso, said: "In a last-minute development, the debtors have paid the amount. My client is extremely satisfied and relieved that justice has been served after so long."
Saso, in statements outside the court, also referred to Minaj's public image, saying that he hopes "this case will help her transform from someone who avoids responsibility to someone who takes it." The reference was considered sharp, given the recent backlash the rapper's behavior has provoked on social media.
Nicki Minaj has recently come under fire for comments deemed homophobic and offensive, especially after her spat with journalist Don Lemon, whom she called offensive. At the same time, her participation in a conference of Turning Point USA, a far-right American organization, caused strong reactions in the music industry.
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Minaj's 11.000-square-foot Hidden Hills mansion is worth an estimated $20 million. If the court had gone ahead with the sale, the proceeds would have covered not only the fine but also a $13 million debt owed to Bank of America, leaving the couple with about $6 million.
Minaj's husband, Kenneth Petty, is no stranger to the authorities. He was convicted of attempted rape in 1995 and sentenced to three years of probation in 2021 for failing to register as a sex offender in California. The revelations about his past have created a heavy atmosphere around Minaj, who appears to be trying to maintain control of her public image.
Despite the constant negative publicity, Minaj remains one of the most commercially successful and influential women in hip-hop, with over 100 million sales, dozens of awards, and a solid fanbase that supports her regardless of scandals.
The Weidenmüller incident, however, serves as a reminder that fame and money do not guarantee immunity. No matter how glamorous her career, this case showed that no one can escape their responsibilities — even if they are one of the biggest stars in the music industry.
With the debt now paid off, Nicki Minaj seems determined to put this legal matter behind her. But the question remains whether the “lesson of responsibility” she learned will change her course – or if this is just another episode in her long list of public clashes with the law and public opinion.
