Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj reunited for their second VMA performance together. The singers performed the single “Side to Side,” which is included in Grande’s third studio album, entitled “Dangerous Woman.”
The former Nickelodeon star has been teasing her fans on Instagram days before the VMAs on her upcoming performance with Nicki. She was also encouraging her fans to vote for her to win a VMA.
Ari and Nicki turned the VMA stage at Madison Square Garden in New York last Sunday night into a soul cycle class under black light. The 23-year-old pop star donned a neon pink pommel horse with her name written on it.
Ari opens the performance by cycling on an exercise bike with no resistance at full speed along with her posse. She then goes center stage to lift some barbells on high heels.
Minaj made her entrance alongside hunky weightlifters rapping her way to meet Grande halfway the stage. The “Superbass” singer sported a neon pink metallic one suit to match Ari’s.
After their performance, the “Problem” hitmaker shared a photo with Nicki on Instagram thanking the 33-year-old for a wonderful collaboration.
Fans were in awe of the performance saying that it brought back Olivia Newton-John’s “Let’s Get Physical” vibes using song lyrics that pertain to getting fit with sexual innuendos.
The same night, the music video for “Side to Side” was also released. It features the two singers getting physically fit much like their VMA performance.
In the music video, Ari leads a spinning class and gets in the ring with some boxers. She then hits the showers where she meets Minaj in the sauna. The Vevo video premiered via Guess’ website late Sunday.
This was not the first VMA performance by the duo, who appeared together in 2014, with singer Jessie J, to perform the hit “Bang Bang.” The two also worked on Nicki’s single “Get on Your Knees,” which was also released in 2014.
Grande earned five nominations this year, including best female video and best pop video. She lost the best pop video award to Beyonce’s “Formation” as well as the best female video award to Beyonce’s “Hold Up.”
Adele and Beyonce led the nominations for this year’s Video Music Awards. Rihanna received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award after performing several medley numbers during the ceremony.
Britney Spears also marked her first VMA performance since the heavily-criticized 2007 show. Evidently absent from this year’s VMAs were Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift.
Romance with Mac Miller confirmed?
Meanwhile, the VMAs also gave way for the “Into You” songstress to subtly confirmed her rumored relationship with rapper Mac Miller.
In an interview during the VMAs red carpet, Ari had a slip of the tongue and referred to Miller as her boo. The “Sam and Cat” alum hit the red carpet alone and said that Miller’s being supportive and it’s fine to walk alone as long as you have a boo.
The “One Last Time” singer went public with her budding romance with Miller earlier this month after the two were spotted kissing during a date night in California.
The 24-year-old rapper and the pop star’s blooming romance is more evident through Ari’s Snapchat feed.
The “Dangerous Woman” singer and her beau were cuddling and singing R. Kelly’s “Bump and Grind” as well as Drake’s “Controlla.”
The two recently got new tattoos at the famed Shamrock Social Club on West Hollywood’s Sunset Strip, which Ariana debuted on her Snapchat stories.
Days before the VMAs, the couple tried to avoid being photographed as they enjoyed a day out at the Museum of Ice Cream and a club later that night.