Exorcism
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The hip-hop star defends her performance, calling it "the most comfortable I've ever been onstage in my entire life"
Exorcism
Nicki Minaj is known for her over-the-top stage persona, but her performance at Sunday's 54th Annual Grammy Awards took things to a whole new level.
Wearing an Oscar de la Renta dress, the 29-year-old shocked viewers when she performed her new song "Roman Holiday" for the very first time. Channeling her alter ego Roman Zolanski, Minaj's performance pushed religious boundaries.
"I had this vision for Roman for him to be sort of exorcised," she explained on Ryan Seacrest's KIIS-FM radio show Monday. "People around him tell him he's not good enough because he's not normal and he's not blending in with the Average Joe."
"The people around him are afraid because they've never seen anything like him. He wanted to show that not only is he amazing . . . but he's never going to change. He's never going to be exorcised," Minaj said. "Even when they throw the holy water on him, he still rises above."
The rapper's performance angered the the right-wing Catholic League, who issued a press release condemning it Monday. "Whether Minaj is possessed is surely an open question," president Bill Donohue said, "but what is not in doubt is the irresponsibility of The Recording Academy. Never would they allow an artist to insult Judaism or Islam."
"It's bad enough that Catholics have to fight for their rights vis-a-vis a hostile administration in Washington without also having to fend off attacks in the entertainment industry," Donohue seethed. "The net effect, however, will only embolden Catholics, as well as their friends in other faith communities."
Minaj, meanwhile, stands behind her elaborate stage show. "It's the most comfortable I've ever been onstage in my entire life," she said.
Nicki is a story teller and a performer...it was clear that was exactly what she was doing. When challenged she explained the thoughts behind the show in an intelligent way. She is beautiful, talented and unconventional...so is the character Roman, he's a gay man trying to make it in this world where everyone is telling him he is wrong. The show challenges us to think. No one has to agree, but thinking is not offensive questioning your own values is not offensive...if you decide that you agree with what you believe great! If not the questioning benefits us as people looking to be the best that we can be. Its just a challenge to question what you believe. And she's fun too. February 14, 2012 - 3:
Much like you would do with a little child who is throwing themselves on the floor, I think we should ignore her. Instead of becoming outraged and causing a scene, let her actions speak for themselves and pray the rosary. Whether or not Nicki Minaj goes on the Grammy's and acts like a bafoon, I still get to go to Mass every week, I don't buy her music, and no one close to me likes her either. This woman has no bearing on my life, and I'm not going to dedicate any of my time to it. With that, I realize I've already done just that so shame on me. God bless, folks. February 14, 2012 - 2:
Nicki Minaj is a self-centered musicianj who reached millions of viewers, offending Catholics, (which I am), and the Gay community(which I am also) with her version of "I feel pretty and w2itty and gay) - with a most ugly emphasis on the last word. It seems to me that she has some personal issue - emphasizing exorcism tells me loud and clear that she damns us to hell. I am well aware of what my religion says but I do not need it from my (so called) entertainment. The next day I wondered if I should jump in front of a train...ROMAN February 14, 2012 - 2:
I'm not Catholic but I am Christian. I don't agree with most of the Catholic Church but this act was terrible and not just on a religious level. It showed not taste and to hear her say it was the most comfortable she has felt on stage, well that is just weird. I don't see her career going anywhere fast but she could entertain well at an Atheist Club when her career bombs. LOL! February 14, 2012 - 12:
The Catholic Church needs to chill out. If they would stop making such a big deal out of what the musicians do, the publicity would just go away. This is what "artists" want! Get the Church in an uproar so they can drag out the publicity. Let it go, and her firework will fizzle into nothing. February 14, 2012 - 12:
A Performing Monkey will always be a Performing Monkey even after you take it out of a Circus. Iâ??m ticked off at the Recording Academy Group that runs the Grammyâ??s. They knew full well what was going to be on stage in the big crescendo â??Nicki Minajâ?? and gave the green light for it. This wasnâ??t about a celebration of music. This was about spoon feeding us garbage out of the deepest bowels of the earth. Never again Grammyâ??s, Never again! February 14, 2012 - 11:
A Performing Monkey will always be a Performing Monkey even after you take it out of a Circus. Iâ??m ticked off at the Recording Academy Group that runs the Grammyâ??s. They knew full well what was going to be on stage in the big crescendo â??Nicki Minajâ?? and gave the green light for it. This wasnâ??t about a celebration of music. This was about spoon feeding us garbage out of the deepest bowels of the earth. Never again Grammyâ??s, Never again! February 14, 2012 - 11:
There is no talent of musicians anymore. That's why they have to come up with "shocking" performance for people to talk the next day about them. Real musicians don't need all that idiotic getup. Look at the Beach Boys, they are about 80 & they just had their voices & instruments with them. NOW THAT IS REAL MUSIC. February 14, 2012 - 11:
all this dog n pony show was meant for idiots who enjoy being mind screwed. NOTHING in these types of kma shows are unintended. ALL of it is so planned way in advance, and offend is the main intent regardless of attire, religion, political, religion etc....so keep watching the circus, eat more crap and enjoy the Prozac. February 14, 2012 - 10:
Within the first minute of her performance, I changed the channel, not for any religious reasons but because I did not like it. It was my first exposure to her and I definately will not buy any of her music. February 14, 2012 - 10:
I knew this was going to happen. I was more offended by how bad the performance was. After about a minute I found I obnoxious and decided to do the dishes. February 14, 2012 - 10:
Yes, very offensive!!!! Very evil and cowardly - why always, always attack the Catholic Church? Perhaps Nicki Minaj needs to distract people from her lack of talent with such outrageous and anything-but-musical performances. February 14, 2012 - 4:
i think she stood up for something you know what i also i think is funny is how people call her out for doing "sacrilegious" (she was making a point about how catholics and some religous nuts treat homosexuals) but when cardinal francis george compares the gay pride parade to klu klux klan no even knows about it or even cares KEEP GOING STRONG NICKI February 14, 2012 - 4:
People...stop being whining crybabies. I did not see the performance, but who cares!!! Some seem to look for a way to be offended, and it is none of anyone's business if she wants to play Catholic. She can dress like the Pope and do naked cartwheels. Whether she is considered an artist is beside the point. We all have free will and should be able to express ourselves regarding religion or anything else in a FREE COUNTRY. If it was boring or poor quality, that is another matter. February 14, 2012 - 1:
I found her "performance" to be very inconsiderate, filled with blasphemy & certainly sacrilegious. She needs to apologize, not just to Catholics, but to Christians in general. That girl really does need Jesus!!! February 14, 2012 - 12:
I thought Nikki Minaj was absolutly rediculouse the whole night! From her outfit, to her performance! You DONT mix any type of religion with business.... especially when your in ONE huge room with so many others! Who wants to see that nasty negative crap? Im not a fan.. that's for sure!
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