Nicki Minaj called Miley Cyrus out at the MTV Video Music Awards after the 22-year-old said in an interview that the rapper was being a poor sport about not receiving a nomination for video of the year.
After collecting best hip-hop video for “Anaconda” on Sunday, Minaj told the audience at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles: “And now back to this b—- that had a lot to say about me a lot in the press. Miley, what’s good?”
Minaj’s microphone was cut off, and Cyrus fired back with “we all know how they manipulate” words during interviews, referencing a pre-VMAs interview in the New York Times. Cyrus then stumbled over her words as she tried to read from cue cards about voting for the artist to watch award.
“I lost this award in 2008 and I was fine with it. Whatever! Because it’s no big deal. It’s just an award and I persevered,” she yelled, appearing to look over at Minaj.
She ended with: “Congratulations, Nicki.”
In the recent interview, Cyrus criticized Minaj for her “pop star war” with Taylor Swift that began in July. On the show, however, rapper ended her issues with Swift at the show: The performers joined forces onstage.
After Minaj entertained the audience with her upbeat “Trini Dem Girls,” Swift joined the rapper during her performance of the “The Night Is Still Young.”
Swift wore a bright red dress that mirrored Minaj’s ensemble. Swift then performed some of her hit, “Bad Blood,” as Minaj danced around her. They closed with a hug.
Swift, who is the top nominee with 10, traded words with Minaj over Twitter when the VMA nominees were announced in July. Minaj, who had one of the most viewed videos of the year with “Anaconda,” is not up for video of the year, and she tweeted that slim women easily earn top nominations and said black female entertainers don’t get enough credit for their influence on pop culture. Swift thought the rapper was referring to her and they traded words online, but later apologized.
Swift’s nominations include video of the year, best collaboration, song of summer and more. She won best pop video and female video.
Cyrus is hosting the VMAs two years after she stole the show with a risque, but memorable performance with Robin Thicke, and a year after winning the top prize for “Wrecking Ball.” She took a selfie with people in the audience and asked them to yell: “Marijuana.”
“Ellen, you ain’t got nothing on this,” she said.
Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson’s “Uptown Funk” earned the first Moonman in the live telecast for best male video.
“Uptown Funk forever! Thank you!” Mars yelled.
The song is also up for video of the year, and will compete with Swift’s “Bad Blood,” Beyonce’s “7/11,” Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright,” and Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud.”
The night will feature other A-listers: Justin Bieber will perform his new single, “What Do You Mean,” and Kanye West will receive the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award for his illustrious video career.
Pharrell and Demi Lovato will hit the stage during the two-hour show, and presenters include Britney Spears, Rebel Wilson, Kylie Jenner, John Legend, Ice Cube and his son, O’Shea Jackson, Jr., one of the stars of “Straight Outta Compton.”