MC’s rap alter ego levitates and speaks in tongues against a fiery backdrop at Sunday’s show. By Tomika L. Anderson Nicki Minaj performs at the 2012 Grammy Awards Photo: Robyn Beck/ AFP/ Getty Images Nicki Minaj may have walked away Grammy -less on Sunday (February 12), but she still managed to deliver one of the most talked-about performances of the night. In the show’s final act the animated rap star — who lost out to Bon Iver for “Best New Artist” — channeled her infamous alter ego Roman Zolanski onstage, leading the audience through a rap exorcism of sorts. At one point, she even levitated, while speaking in tongues and jumping around against a fiery backdrop. Minaj caused a Twitter frenzy earlier in the night when she hit the red carpet wearing a blood-red, hooded robe accompanied by a man dressed like the Pope, and she continued her spirited church-act onstage. Minaj marched out sporting a brown ball gown and long, bleached-blond locks, and performed a skit before launching into her new single, “Roman Holiday,” from her upcoming sophomore album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. It was a show that Lady Gaga (who was also missed by the Grammy fairy this go-round) would have been proud of. In a pre-taped skit, Minaj was surrounded by stained glass and other religious imagery, eerily putting on lipstick, singing “I Feel Pretty.” She then climbed a wall to have an exchange with the strange Pope-like figure, a man who’s real identity remains unknown. After being strapped to a leather lab table onstage, she rapped backed by a goth-looking church choir that sang a haunting version of “Come All Ye Faithful.” At the crescendo, she was lifted by an invisible rope into the Grammy sky. Shooting flames helped to complete the fiery, head-scratching number. Stick with MTV News for all the news on Whitney Houston’s tribute, the Grammy red-carpet fashion , Grammy winners and more until the hangover wears off! Related Videos 2012 Grammy Awards Red Carpet Highlights 2012 Grammy Awards Show Highlights Related Photos 2012 Grammys Red Carpet Photos 2012 Grammy Awards: Backstage And Audience Related Artists Nicki Minaj
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Nicki Minaj Resurrects Spooky Roman Zolanski At Grammys
