Anaconda
Artist: Nicki Minaj
Year: 2014
Date of Action: September 9, 2014
Region: North America
Location: New York
Subject: Explicit Sexuality
Medium: Dance
Confronting Bodies: CBS
Description of Artwork: Nicki Minaj's performance of the song Anaconda at Fashion Rocks 2014 featured the singer and her backup dancers executing sexually suggestive choreography. While the female dancers wore bikini tops and hotpants, the male dancers wore jeans that exposed the waistbands of their undergarments and New York Yankees baseball caps without shirts. Minaj wore a very short denim skirt with a jewel covered bra-like top. The choreography involved dance moves resembling sexual actions including grinding, twerking, hip-rolling, and lap-dancing. No nudity was involved.
The Incident: During the live broadcast of the performance, CBS panned cameras towards the audience instead of showing the stage for a portion of the song's second verse. At one point, the camera zoomed in on pop singer Jennifer Lopez, who did not appear to be enjoying the performance as per her facial expression. Minaj and a number of her fans interpreted this as intentional censorship by the television network.
Results of Incident: Minaj posted the following statement to her Instagram page the day after the broadcast: "My darlingz, I wish you could’ve seen the choreography on the 2nd verse of ANACONDA last night. It was absolutely divine. CBS decided not to show it. Had they told us this before, we would have changed the choreo so that you guys could see the full performance from beginning to end. They already had you tuned in tho. Artists spend so much of their own money, time and passion to deliver their fans great performances. But ultimately, our art usually falls into the hands of people who care nothing about our art and creativity. Promise you’ll get to see this new choreo soon." CBS never issued a comment on the incident.
Source:
• http://www.thewrap.com/nicki-minaj-blasts-cbs-over-anaconda-camera-work-at-fashion-rocks
photo source: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/stars-bring-style-fashion-rocks-gallery-1.1934829?pmSlide=1.1934807
