Federal Court Dismisses Nicki Minaj Lawsuit Filed by Former Fan

A U.S. District Court judge in New Jersey has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Tameer Peak, a self-described longtime fan of rapper Nicki Minaj, against the artist, her company Pink Personality Inc., and her social media associate Pedro Velazquez. According to documents obtained by WMV, the case — Peak v. Maraj-Petty et al.  accused Minaj and her team of defamation, emotional distress, and public humiliation stemming from several online and in-person encounters dating back to 2018. Judge Brian R. Martinotti granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss, ending the case without oral argument.

Court filings show that Peak, who represented himself in the case, described himself as a “loyal fan” who had “spent tens of thousands of dollars supporting [Minaj]’s career and participating in fan activities.” He said he first interacted with the rapper in 2018, both online and in person, and alleged that Minaj and her company “used his work without permission” to promote her singles and tours. Beginning in 2024, Peak claimed, Minaj and Velazquez accused him and other fans of being “paid moles” working to undermine her, an accusation he called “false and defamatory.”

One of the central events in the complaint was an incident on March 3, 2024, when Peak was removed from a Nicki Minaj concert after being accused of livestreaming the performance. He claimed his removal led to widespread ridicule online and said Minaj later referenced the episode publicly, stating, “Tameer know he not even supposed to be let back in the motherf***ing palace if we really wanna get technical.” According to Peak, the comment and subsequent social media discussions “caused him distress and damaged his reputation within the fandom.”

In his filings, Peak also cited a message he received from Minaj in August 2021, which read, “U was the one in the club that I had to hold the guys from being rough with u right? Cuz that’s how I love & protect my fans.” He claimed the message reflected her “retaliatory intent” and pattern of public humiliation toward him.

Judge Martinotti ruled that Peak’s amended complaint failed to state a viable legal claim under the standards of Federal Rule 12(c), noting that the court “accepts the factual allegations as true for the purpose of review” but found them legally insufficient. The court also declined to transfer the case to another jurisdiction, effectively ending Peak’s legal pursuit against the artist and her business entity.

The case sheds light on the complex and sometimes volatile relationship between global stars and their most devoted fans. In the era of social media, where artists maintain direct digital relationships with millions of followers, boundaries have become increasingly porous — and occasionally, adversarial.

Nicki Minaj, known legally as Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, commands one of the most active online fan communities in music. Her fanbase, known as the “Barbz,” has earned a reputation for its intensity, loyalty, and online influence. But as Peak’s filings illustrate, that connection can blur personal and legal lines in ways that the courts are still learning to navigate.

As of the court’s decision, no appeal has been filed by Tameer Peak. Pedro Velazquez, the third defendant, had not been formally served at the time of the ruling and was not part of the motion to dismiss. The case stands as a reflection of how modern celebrity-fan relationships — once defined by admiration and distance — now unfold in a digital space where a single comment can become a matter of federal record.