Nicki Minaj has sparked backlash after weighing in on the ongoing search for the missing Titanic submersible.
The story of the missing sub containing five people who paid around $250K to see the Titanic on Sunday (June 18) is currently one of the biggest topics in the world.
As previously reported, an underwater vessel called "Titan" intended to go on a 12,500-foot-deep expedition - operated by OceanGate - in the North Atlantic Ocean to explore the infamous wreckage.
However, just an hour and 45 minutes into the journey, the sub lost contact with its mothership "Polar Prince" and failed to provide a signal to a Canadian research vessel.
The five confirmed names in the missing submersible are British billionaire Hamish Harding, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, and his son Suleman, founder and CEO OceanGate, Stockton Rush, and veteran French diver Paul-Henry Nargeolet.
A major search operation by the US Coast Guard, as well as OceanGate Expeditions, is currently underway to locate and recover the vessel before its 96-hour oxygen supply runs out.
The news has been the talk of the internet for days so you can imagine why prominent pop culture figureheads like Nicki Minaj are speaking up. The 40-year-old 'Super Bass' hitmaker took to her Amp radio show Queen Radio to express dismay over the idea of taking a submersible to see the remains of the sunken ship.
"No one should be hopping they a** on a submarine, talkin’ about they going down to look at the Titanic," she said. "'Do you know how some people work their whole life and can’t save up $250,000? And you took $250,000 to hop on a submarine to go see a ship that mostly everybody died on."
The 'Starships' rapper also took to Twitter to share her shock that the activity was even open for people to participate in, writing: "Praying they make it back to their families. This is so scary and should not be allowed. Like w**?"
"I just assumed they were marine biologists…finding out this was a 'tourist' 'Titanic' thing??????" she continued, adding, "They said: 'TMZ Tour Bus but make it Under The Sea.'"
Minaj's comments were slammed on the social media platform by many users. One disappointed fan penned: "THIS IS DISGUSTING AND INSENSITIVE. I can’t believe I bought super bass. You just lost a fan."
Another chimed in: "She just be putting her input anywhere where it don't concern her," and a third person remarked: "She’s so inconsiderate to the families, didn’t expect much from Nicki though."
However, some people actually agreed with her statement as one user shared: "Truly hoping that the submarine is found and those people are ok and alive but Nicki Minaj having a hot take about it is just… she’s saying what we’re all thinking. WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS???"
A second user interjected: "She ain't wrong. I don't know why people have to see this in person. Hopefully, they find the submarine and everyone is safe. But let this be a lesson learned not to go down there for a 'tour'."
It has now been four days since the submersible was declared missing and the desperate search to find it has entered a critical stage after several reports suggested that the vital oxygen supply on board would deplete on Thursday, June 22.
Fellow rapper Cardi B has also shared her thoughts on the topic. The 30-year-old 'I Like It' hitmaker called out the stepson of Harding for attending a Blink-182 concert.
The 37-year-old - who is an audio engineer based in San Diego - took to his Instagram Story to defend his decision to see the band during the ongoing high-stakes rescue mission.
He posted a picture of him outside the venue, writing: "Yes I went to @blink-182 last night. What am I supposed to do sit at home and watch the news? Not sorry this band has helped me through hard times since 1998."
"People was like, ‘Um, well, what is he supposed to do, be sad at the house? Is he supposed to go look for him himself?'" Cardi B said on Instagram, per Complex. "Yes. You supposed to be at the house sad. You supposed to be crying for me, you supposed to be right next to the phone waiting to hear any updates about me."
According to the outlet, Szasz saw her remarks and hit back: "What a pos trashy celeb," adding: "Cardi B trying to get clout off me and my families [sic] suffering. I went to a Blink 182 concert for coping rather than sitting at home and watching the news. Shame on you Cardi get some class!"
