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Nicki Minaj criticised for video 'commanding' woman in wheelchair to walk

The rapper defended herself saying the woman in the chair is her friend and not disabled

Olivia Blair
Monday 02 November 2015 06:40 EST
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Minaj defended herself by saying the person in the wheelchair was a friend
Minaj defended herself by saying the person in the wheelchair was a friend (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

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Nicki Minaj has been criticised after appearing in a video where she instructs a woman in a wheelchair to walk.

The video, which was posted to the rapper’s Instagram account but has now been deleted, shows Minaj dressed as a fairy godmother on Halloween.

Walking down the hallway laughing, she points her pretend wand and says “Walk, I command you to walk.” The camera then pans to a woman in an electric wheelchair.

Commenters on social media criticised the 32-year-old, alleging she was making fun of disabled people.

However some of Minaj’s fans were quick to defend the rapper, saying the person in the wheelchair was her make-up artist and friend, according to the International Business Times.

Minaj herself defended the allegations, taking particular aim at celebrity blogger Perez Hilton, saying: “That’s NOT a disabled person and u know that. Are u that desperate for attention?” In another tweet she reaffirmed: “That’s my friend in a scooter.”

Despite being the target of criticism over her Halloween antics, Minaj herself condemned a controversial costume choice of Bill Cosby on Instagram over the weekend.

The rapper re-posted a picture of a man dressed up as alleged sex attacker Cosby along with a passed-out woman holding a drink, which the Cosby part of the costume is putting pills into.

 

A photo posted by Nicki Minaj (@nickiminaj) on

Writing alongside the post, she said: “Our generation is so desensitized.”

The Independent has contacted a representative of Minaj for comment.

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