Nicki Minaj Called Out After “Not Crediting” Donte Colley Properly For Viral “FTCU” TikTok Dance
Last month, Nicki Minaj promised a choreographer named Donte Colley that she’d take care of an issue regarding “credit” for his viral TikTok moves to “FTCU.” Minaj promised to have one of her dancers reach out to him to settle the matter.
Following the “reach out,” Minaj’s dancer Beau “Casper” Smart revealed that Minaj offered Colley money and a meet and greet in his city for his moves, to which Colley denied. The choreographer claims that all he ever wanted for was “credit” for his art, a shout out online by Minaj, and to collaborate with her on tour.
“I was reached out to by a member of her team and I wasn’t after payment for this,” Colley said in a video of him showing similarities in his TikTok dance, and Minaj’s dancers on tour. “I was just looking for the opportunity to potentially collaborate and to receive credit, and neither one of those options seemed possible and have been rejected.”
In response to Colley’s video, Casper wrote on X, “Please STOP spreading false narratives. We offered to pay him as a choreographer even though it was less than 10 seconds of choreo that we altered. ALSO offered him tix to his hometown w/ a meet a greet. He declined all this [and] demanded a shoutout and to get to dance on stage w/ her.”
However, according to Colley, he never was offered money nor was he even looking for a payout from Minaj.
“I did not decline any concert tickets,” he said. “I didn’t deny the opportunity for a meet and greet. I didn’t demand; I asked for the opportunity to perform on stage, and that wasn’t a possibility so we moved on. I was offered an amount that was under $100, and I was told that $2,000 is for a song and that I would be prorated an amount for an eight count.”
Standing behind his creativity and value, he said, “I would never consider selling my work for that amount. I really appreciate Nicki for tweeting that she wanted to make things right. However, the person that she put in charge has not made this a positive experience. And all I’ve asked for is for her to repost the original video and to tag me, just like the other videos. And if that’s not possible, just to remove the choreo.”
He added, “I come online, her choreos in the show, and there’s no video. The only reason why I posted today was because I was being tagged in concert footage with people saying that I was paid, hired, etc. That was not true. I have to stick up for myself because no one’s gonna stick up for me.”
Speaking to those who support his stance, he continued, “I want to thank you so much for your words of encouragement. Y’all saw something, knew it wasn’t right, and brought it to my attention and we should be uplifting and supporting each other and continuing to do so. So I encourage other artists to seek credit for their work. Keep being you. What other people think of you is none of your business. And just keep it pushing, babe.”
Nicki Minaj went online in February and said, “I thought a lady Zara made it up? thought she was an artist having fun w|it…? so glad barbz brought it2 my attention in time [making me proud as always]. I’ll have Casper reach out to this VERY TALENTED & seemingly VERY sweet guy ASAP to figure out the best way to make him feel seen, appreciated & paid #PinkFriday2 #GagCityTOUR.”
As of now, Minaj, Colley nor Casper have revealed a solution to the issue.
However, the Pink Friday 2 Tour continues this Friday (Mar. 8) in Las Vegas.
