Nicki Minaj snake bites backing dancer ahead of MTV VMAs 'Anaconda' performance

The singer took to the stage tonight after a bad dress rehearsal

Jess Denham
Tuesday 26 August 2014 09:30 BST
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Nicki Minaj in the new video for her song 'Anaconda'
Nicki Minaj in the new video for her song 'Anaconda'

Nicki Minaj was set to ‘do a Britney’ during her performance of “Anaconda” at the MTV Video Music Awards.

Yes, that means a live snake, but fortunately not the same boa constrictor that bit her backing dancer during this weekend’s rehearsals.

The female contortionist was on stage practising her moves ahead of tonight’s star-studded ceremony when six-foot reptile Rocky took a bite out of her left hand, leaving her requiring medical assistance.

The unnamed victim was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital for a check-up, according to MTV News.

Her injury has not been described as life-threatening, the director of production safety for cable channel Viacom Media Networks has confirmed.

Rocky’s handler was watching the rehearsal, which was immediately halted after the incident. Minaj dashed over to the dancer to make sure she was alright.

The snake is believed to have featured in entertainment performances for 15 years. It is not poisonous, comes from Madagascar and mainly eats rodents. Their usual method of attack is to wrap themselves around prey and squeeze it to death.

There was yet more pre-event drama when Iggy Azalea took a tumble from the stage during rehearsals, only to pick herself up and post a self-mocking video on Instagram.

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