Nicki Minaj is fighting a request for her private text messages in a lawsuit brought by her former assistant, Brandon Garrett, who is seeking communications related to their working relationship and an alleged backstage assault.
According to court documents reported by TMZ, Garrett has asked the rapper to produce text messages exchanged with third parties about him and his employment between January and April 2024. He has also requested messages concerning the alleged incident he says occurred backstage at one of Minaj’s concerts in April.
Minaj is challenging the requests, arguing that some are overly broad. She also says she does not possess any messages concerning the alleged incident and has refused to provide the requested material.
The dispute over the messages is part of a lawsuit Garrett filed against Minaj in 2025, alleging battery stemming from an incident during her performance in Detroit in 2024.
Garrett claimed he was working for the rapper when tensions escalated backstage. According to his allegations in the lawsuit, he was summoned to her dressing room, where she was angry about his handling of a prescription pickup.
Garrett alleged that Minaj threatened him during the confrontation, including telling him that her husband would knock out his teeth if he had been present.
He further claimed that the rapper told him, “You’re a dead man walking. You just f***ed up your whole life and you will never be anyone; I’ll make sure of it.”
Garrett alleges that Minaj struck him in the face, causing physical injuries and emotional distress.
These remain allegations in a civil lawsuit, not established findings of fact. Minaj’s former lawyer previously denied the accusations, describing them as “false and frivolous.”
The latest dispute focuses on what evidence must be produced during the legal process. Garrett’s request seeks communications that could relate to his employment and his account of the alleged confrontation, while Minaj is contesting the scope of the requested material and says she has no messages about the incident.
The court’s handling of the discovery dispute could determine whether any of the requested communications must be turned over. The information provided does not establish that the court has ruled on the request or reached a conclusion about Garrett’s allegations.
Outside the lawsuit, Minaj has continued making public appearances, including appearances supporting President Donald Trump, according to the source report.
For now, the legal battle continues, with the dispute over private messages forming another part of the case between the rapper and her former employee.
