Rapper Nicki Minaj Gives Very Unexpected Shoutout After Winning Award for Sexually Explicit 'Anaconda' Music Video

Rapper Nicki Minaj gave an unexpected shoutout during her acceptance speech after winning best hip-hop video of the year for her sexually explicit “Anaconda” music video at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards.

“This is so random — you know who I want to thank tonight? My pastor,” she said. “Thank you, Pastor Lydia. I love you so much.”

Check out some of the online reactions:

I just spoke to her and Nicki Minaj's pastor is really proud of her ass-shaking. Praise Jesus! #VMAs

— Perez Hilton (@PerezHilton) August 31, 2015

#NickiMinaj accepts an award like only she can! From thanking her "Pastor" to cussin' someone out in the same sentence! #VMAs

— Skip Dillard (@mixcom) August 31, 2015

Nicki Minaj thanking her pastor for winning an award for Anaconda

— Michelle Fields (@MichelleFields) August 31, 2015

In addition to thanking the “pastor” after winning an award for “Anaconda,” Minaj also initiated a profanity-laced back-and-forth with host Miley Cyrus over a recent media interview. However, many people speculated that the exchange was staged.

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