August 24, 2014 9:32 PM EDT
A fter a lightning-fast costume change between “Anaconda” and “Bang Bang” during the opening number of the VMAs, Nicki Minaj walked back onstage — but something was amiss. The rapstress was clutching her little black dress closed in the middle across her chest.
She maintained composure — and her iron grip on her clothes — throughout the end of the number, daintily prancing while her fellow singers Jessie J and Ariana Grande danced with the vigor of performers whose clothing was not about to pop off.
View the full performance here .
See Photos of Celebrities on the Red Carpet at the 2014 VMAs Taylor Swift attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Kevin Mazur—WireImage/Getty Images Jennifer Lopez attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Larry Busacca—Getty Images Ke$ha attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Jason Merritt—Getty Images Miley Cyrus attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Larry Busacca—Getty Images Kelly Rowland attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Frazer Harrison—Getty Images Iggy Azalea attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Jeff Kravitz—FilmMagic/Getty Images Solange Knowles attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images Singer Demi Lovato attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Jason Merritt—Getty Images Laverne Cox attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images Jordin Sparks and Jason Derulo attend the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Kevin Mazur—WireImage/Getty Images Actress Julianne Hough attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California.. Jeff Kravitz—FilmMagic/Getty Images Gwen Stefani attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Christopher Polk—Getty Images Ed Sheeran and Sway attend the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Kevin Mazur—WireImage/Getty Images Nicki Minaj attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images Chloë Grace Moretz attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Frazer Harrison—Getty Images Alexandra Shipp attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Jason Merritt—Getty Images Charli XCX attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Jason Merritt—Getty Images Sarah Hyland attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Kevin Mazur—WireImage/Getty Images Ariana Grande attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Jason Merritt—Getty Images Tyler Oakley attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Jason Merritt—Getty Images Lucy Hale attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images Greer Grammer attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California.. Kevin Mazur—WireImage/Getty Images More Must-Reads from TIME