Nicki Minaj, Taylor Swift Feud Over Twitter, Bruno Mars Referees [Video]
A VMA-snubbed Nicki Minaj expressed her disappointment at not getting a nomination, sparking a feud with Taylor Swift and turning social media into a WWF ring. In her rant, Nicki Minaj “called out MTV for nominating a specific ‘kind’ of artist,” reports the Independent, leading Minaj to tweet “If your video celebrates women with very slim bodies, you will be nominated for vid of the year.”
Nothing I said had to do with Taylor. So what jabs? White media and their tactics. So sad. That's what they want. https://t.co/AfcwoyDvpg
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) July 21, 2015
Nicki Minaj’s “Anaconda” was one of the most highly watched videos, garnering over 16 million views in the 24 hours following its release, reports the Independent. The video was spoofed on Ellen, leading Nicki Minaj to comment to MTV, “Ellen did her own anaconda video and did the #choreo lol. Remember her doing that kick. Even mtv did a post on the choreo @MTV remember?”
— AsiaKARA (@MysticSTARs33D) July 21, 2015
Taylor Swift, who thought the remark was directed at her, uncharacteristically replied “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,” reports CNN.
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
A confused Minaj replied to Taylor Swift, “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.”
The exchange sparked a Twitter feud over race and gender equality, with Nicki Minaj pointing out Taylor Swift wasn’t “critical of racist media,” since “black women influence pop culture so much but are rarely rewarded for it,” referring to Nicki’s VMA snub.
I'm baffled as to WHY @taylorswift13 felt the need to come at @NickiMinaj for speaking on behalf of unsung black female entertainers..
— Elgin Charles (@ElginCharles) July 21, 2015
Twitter users were sharply divided in the feud between the two singers, with one user pointing out “A black woman speaks up on racial problems within the music industry. A white woman makes it completely about herself.”
Another criticized Taylor Swift for speaking out against problems in the music industry, but ignoring Nicki Minaj’s message: “@taylorswift13 stop using ‘support all girls’ as an excuse to not be critical of racist media that benefits and glorifies you.”
Taylor Swift quickly backpedaled on her outburst during the feud, writing “@NICKIMINAJ If I win, please come up with me!! You’re invited to any stage I’m ever on.”
As the debate raged on in the feud between Taylor Swift and Nicki Minaj, normally mild-mannered Bruno Mars, who’s nominated for video of the year for “Uptown Funk”, refereed the feud, writing, “Yo I want in on this twitter Beef!! VMAs is the new WWF!! @edsheeran F*** You!” he said.
[Image credit: Carrie Davenport / Getty Images]
