Nicki Minaj Back-Up Dancer Hospitalized from Snake Bite in "Anaconda" Performance

BY Josiah HughesPublished Aug 23, 2014

Nicki Minaj's butt-loving "Anaconda" single has been a major talking point of late, from its initial release through its lyric video and lap-dancing music video. Now, however, the snake-themed song has resulted in an injury, as one of Minaj's back-up dancers was attacked onstage.

Minaj was rehearsing a performance of the song for this week's VMAs, which take place on Sunday (August 24). While onstage, a boa constrictor attacked one of Minaj's back-up dancers, biting her in the arm.

MTV reports that the snake in question is named Rocky, and has been involved in the entertainment industry for 15 years.

Chris Velvin, the director of production safety for Viacom Media Networks, said that the dancer was immediately taken to the hospital, where she was treated with "an abundance of caution." The bite, he said, was non-venomous. "It is in no way life-threatening, but scary," he added. "We wanted her to start getting treatment as soon as possible."

That said, Rocky will have to sit out the VMAs this weekend. He'll be replaced with a different snake.

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