Controversy surrounds Nicki Minaj's VMA opening slot

Hip-hop artist Nicki Minaj will open the MTV Video Music Awards. Photo / AP

This weekend's MTV Video Music Awards could begin with a little controversy following the news Nicki Minaj will open the show.

The news came just hours after the publication of a New York Times interview with host Miley Cyrus, in which the Wrecking Ball hitmaker took aim at the rapper for comments she made on social media when her Anaconda promo wasn't nominated for the coveted Video of the Year prize.

Minaj attacked the voting committee, insisting her video was shut out because it didn't feature "women with very slim bodies".

Her rant upset Taylor Swift, who considered it a personal attack, prompting Minaj to explain her remarks were not aimed at the Shake It Off singer, whose Bad Blood video is nominated for the top honour.

The two stars have since spoken and all is OK between them, but Cyrus added her thoughts in the new Times piece, attacking Minaj for whining about not getting a nomination.

"I don't respect your statement because of the anger that came with it. And it's not anger like, 'Guys, I'm frustrated about some things that are a bigger issue'. You made it about you," Cyrus said.

"Not to sound like a bitch, but that's like, 'Eh, I didn't get my VMA...' What I read sounded very Nicki Minaj, which, if you know Nicki Minaj is not too kind. It's not very polite," she added.

Now, it appears there could be a clash at the beginning of Sunday's VMA's in Los Angeles after Minaj confirmed on Thursday that she'll be opening the show.

The 32-year-old rapper announced the news on Instagram, and joins previously announced performers Justin Bieber, The Weeknd, Pharrell Williams, Demi Lovato, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Tori Kelly and AA$P Rocky.

- WENN