Nicki Minaj defends wacky Grammy Performance, says 'Roman' is part of a movie

Nicki MInaj

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NEW YORK (AP) — Some were confused, others offended by Nicki Minaj's over-the-top performance at the Grammy Awards on Sunday, but the singer-rapper doesn't understand what all the hubbub is about.

"I don't know what is the big issue?" she asked.

The 29-year-old said her five-minute live rendition of her songs "Roman's Revenge" and "Roman Holiday," which included dancing priests, an exorcism and levitation, was just a part of a movie she's writing.

"You know how people write plays and movies? That's what I did. I wrote that and I gave the world a tiny little preview of what was to come. And so I have to perform it on the set in which it would be in the movie, right?" she said.

Minaj made the comments Wednesday night at an event for Viva Glam MAC cosmetics, for which she is an ambassador with fellow singer Ricky Martin. Proceeds from the sale of the special edition MAC products benefit HIV/AIDS programs worldwide.

Minaj, who is known for her outrageous style, walked the Grammy red carpet in an oversized red robe with a man dressed as a pope at her side. She said her performance, which featured a film clip, was partly inspired by the 1973 movie "The Exorcist."

Her sophomore album, "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded," will be released on April 3 and features Minaj rapping as her male alter ego, Roman. It's the follow-up to her platinum debut, "Pink Friday," which was nominated for three Grammys, though she walked away with zero trophies.

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