LOS ANGELES -- A 6-foot boa constrictor halted Nicki Minaj's MTV Video Music Awards rehearsal, after biting one of the "Anaconda" rapper's dancers inside indoor arena The Forum.
An MTV spokesperson refused to comment on the incident, but directed Mashable to an MTV News report, which said the snake bit the female dancer's left arm. She received medical care onsite and at a hospital for the non-venomous wound, the report added.
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Minaj and her dancers were rehearsing on Friday for a performance of "Anaconda" set to occur at Sunday's VMAs, when the boa constrictor, named Rocky, planted its teeth into the dancer's skin. After the snake's handler took it offstage, Minaj reportedly checked on the dancer's condition.
On Saturday, MTV poked fun at the injury in this Instagram video, which references Britney Spears' memorable snake-infused "Slave 4 U" performance from 2001:
"It is in no way life-threatening, but scary," Chris Velvin, Viacom's production safety director, told MTV News. “We wanted her to start getting treatment as soon as possible."
Meanwhile, the provocative music video "Anaconda" broke the record for most VEVO views in a 24-hour period with 19.6 million views this week, surpassing the previous record of 19.3 million held by Miley Cyrus' "Wrecking Ball."
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