An MTV Video Music Awards race has once again spurred tension between Taylor Swift and a hip-hop artist.
This time, Swift’s heated interaction is taking place before the actual ceremony. And it involves Nicki Minaj rather than Kanye West.
Upon learning that she did not receive an MTV Video Music Awards nomination for video of the year, Nicki Minaj expressed frustration.
“If your video celebrates women with very slim bodies, you will be nominated for vid of the year,” Tweeted the famously curvy “Anaconda” rapper. The comment read like a direct shot at Swift’s nominated “Bad Blood” video, which features cameos from an array of supermodels, musicians and actresses. Most are famously thin.
Minaj’s comment did not sit well with Swift, who responded, “I’ve done nothing but love & support you. It’s unlike you to pit women against each other. Maybe one of the men took your slot..”
Minaj quickly replied, “Huh? U must not be reading my tweets. Didn’t say a word about u. I love u just as much. But u should speak on this.”
She then addressed a fan, who wondered why so many seem to be missing Minaj’s point. “They’re not missing the point, they’re just attempting to overshadow the point. Oldest trick in the book.”
Contending for Video of the Year are Swift’s “Bad Blood,” Beyonce’s “7/11,” Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud,” Mark Ronson’s “Uptown Funk” and Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright.”