While Taylor Swift was not officially advertised as one of this year’s 2015 MTV Video Music Awards performers, rumors persisted that she would indeed sing at the show.
That performance came minutes into this year’s official broadcast.
During the “The Night is Still Young” portion of Nicki Minaj’s medley, Swift came out — in an outfit that complemented Minaj’s costume — and sang along with the crossover Minaj release.
The two then collaborated briefly on Swift’s “Bad Blood.”
The duet — and the “Bad Blood” moment — served as a reference to a recent “beef” between Swift and Minaj.
In the lead-up to the show, Minaj complained that the VMAs tended to shower the most praise and attention on women that fit a certain profile and body type.
Believing the comment to be a personal insult, Swift responded. Minaj later clarified that she was not talking about Swift; Swift apologized for her initial reaction.
The VMAs moment was the two officially putting the issue to bed — and taking advantage of a public controversy.