She prides herself on her support for other women artists, but Taylor Swift lost her cool after she perceived a tweet by Nicki Minaj to be slighting her Bad Blood video.
Minaj had been complaining on Twitter and Instagram that neither of her blockbuster videos, Feeling Myself and Anaconda, had been nominated in the video of the year category of the MTV VMAs.
She tweeted: “If your video celebrates women with very slim bodies, you will be nominated for vid of the year.”
If your video celebrates women with very slim bodies, you will be nominated for vid of the year 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) July 21, 2015
Clearly stung by what she believed was a reference to her Bad Blood video, which included cameos by famous friends including Cara Delavigne, Ellie Goulding and Lena Dunham, Swift retorted: “I’ve done nothing but love and support you. It’s unlike you to pit women against each other. Maybe one of the men took your slot.”
@NICKIMINAJ 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..
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) July 21, 2015
Minaj retorted that she had not been calling out Swift, but asked for the singer’s support.
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. @taylorswift13
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) July 21, 2015
Responding to a tweet from a fan, the rapper had earlier indicated that she felt that her lack of award nominations were indicative of a music industry in which the influence of black artists is not properly acknowledged.
I'm not always confident. Just tired. Black women influence pop culture so much but are rarely rewarded for it. https://t.co/2xOvJzBXJX
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) July 21, 2015
The VMA awards nominations were announced on Tuesday morning and saw Swift way out in front with nine nods in all, including one for video of the year for Bad Blood.
Minaj had been nominated for three awards – best collaboration for Bang Bang, while Anaconda, her ode to the larger female form, is up for best hip-hop video and best female performance – but missed out on the major categories.
Her collaboration with Beyoncé, Feeling Myself, also missed out on the chance for gongs.
The VMA awards are on 30 August and will be presented by Miley Cyrus.
