Snake Bite Love: Nicki Minaj’s dancer bitten by boa constrictor named Rocky during VMA rehearsal

It was pure Motorhead Snake Bite Love at the MTV Video Music Awards rehearsal this week, but not for the reasons you might think. A dancer for Nicki Minaj has been bitten by a six-foot snake during rehearsals for Sunday night’s MTV Video Music Awards show.

Minaj was onstage when the bite occurred, but not involved. Also nearby: the snake’s handler, who treated the wound immediately.

The bite was not life-threatening, but the dancer was taken to the hospital “out of an abundance of caution,” according to MTV.

Unfortunately for the reading audience, the snake was not an anaconda. It was a Dumeril’s boa constrictor named Rocky. Rocky, a consummate professional, has been in the entertainment business for fifteen years.

And, even if it had been an anaconda…no big deal. Anacondas are not venomous, though they can cause infections by spreading bacteria with their bites.

 

 

In related news, Minaj’s “Anaconda” video has become the most-watched of all time in a single day: 19.6 million people saw the video from its Thursday-night debut to Friday evening.

That tops the 19.3 million views that Miley Cyrus’ “Wrecking Ball” video garnered in September of last year.

Minaj celebrated the feat with a jubilant Instagram post:

 

 

Given the video’s content, it’s not hard to see how it’s gotten that many views. Especially since some people are so enamored, they watch it again. And again. And again. And again…

 

Ok after watching @NICKIMINAJ Anaconda 37times I only have one word to sum up my feelings. DAMNNNNN!!!!!! #AnacondaVideoOnVevo

— Sir Mix-A-Lot (@therealmix) August 20, 2014