All of Nicki Minaj’s most iconic red carpet looks

They’re ‘fits for a “Queen.” 

Whenever rap’s reigning monarch Nicki Minaj takes the stage, the New York-reared diva wows not only with her talent, but with her royally outrageous wardrobe, too. 

And as a mistress of ceremonies at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards Sunday — a gig the voluminous voluptuary will anchor alongside fellow rappers LL Cool J, 54, and Jack Harlow, 24 — Minaj, 39, is sure to steal the show, riding high on a carousel of haute couture.   

No stranger to pushing fashion beyond its limits with unabashed (and sometimes controversial) looks, the “Super Freaky Girl” chart-slayer, who will also be honored with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the VMAs, boasts over a decade of daring outfits. 

From the infamous Versace “Pope” cape Minaj donned on the red carpet at the 2012 Grammys or the bosom-boosting Burberry ensemble she wore to the 2022 Met Gala in May, her style continues to keep fashionistas on their toes. 

Here’s a look back at Nicki’s gripping glam evolution.  

Trouser-wowser

Making her VMAs debut in 2010, the then pink-haired harmonizer stunned in a champagne-colored trouser and top set. The “Super Bass” bombshell, who performed with Will.i.am at the fete’s pre-show and presented an award alongside Katy Perry, completed her look with a pair of platform Versace pumps and a black bib necklace. 

Masked singer

Cranking up the heat with her cool-girl swag, Minaj turned heads at the 2011 VMAs by wearing a metallic purple mini dress atop a lacy pink tutu, star-printed tights and thigh-high socks covered in colorful anime cartoons. And, almost as if she were a fashion seer, the “Pink Friday” performer — who adopted the moniker “Harajuku Barbie,” owing to an affinity for Tokyo-inspired panache — punctuated the look with a surgical mask.  

Ill Papa

The year 2012 was monumental for her majesty Minaj. That February, she secured Best New Artist, Best Rap Album and Best Rap Performance nods at the Grammys. And although she walked away from the ceremony empty-handed, her crimson-hooded gown studded with Versace’s Medusa trademark — not to mention the Pope impersonator, cloaked in full regalia, who showed up as her date for the evening — was the talk of Tinseltown. Months later, La Minaj dazzled in a skintight black-and-red bodysuit by the elite designer at the VMAs. 

On the scales

Snakeskin was so in during Minaj’s 2014 “Anaconda” mania; that year, the raptress wrapped her buxom frame in a silvery snake-inspired minidress at the Video Music Awards. Unlike her previous, more kooky red-carpet costumes, the tempting trendsetter opted for a more sexy, yet scaly slay. Her flawlessly fashionable entrance into the show notwithstanding, the bodacious vixen narrowly flashed audiences when the zipper of her dress broke during her live performance of “Bang Bang” with Ariana Grande and Jessie J.

Sheer brilliance

Leaning heavily into her sultriness, the “Feeling Myself” vocalist had tongues wagging over the $15,000 gold, sheer gown by Labourjoisie which she wore to the 2015 VMAs. Leaving little to the imagination, Minaj fiercely flaunted her ample hips, bust and booty in the floor-length frock, known as “the naked dress,” which was adorned with beads and pearls. And almost as memorable as the flossy finery was her legendary “Miley, what’s good?” sound bite from the night. 

Big reveal

The term “show some skin” took on new meaning when Minaj stepped into MTV’s 2016 VMAs in a clinging, cobalt Bao Tranchi gown featuring saucy cutouts and see-through mesh paneling. The dress, which was allegedly so tight that the “Starships” siren could barely walk, gave fans a sneak peek at the star’s copious cleavage and curves. 

Hubba, rubba 

After blessing us with bare boob during Haider Ackermann’s 2017 Paris fashion week show that March, Minaj chose to play it (relatively) safe at the VMAs in August, strapping into a bubblegum-pink latex bodysuit. And as a nod to her affinity for cutouts, the clever couture, which she styled with a head full of knee-length locks, featured peekaboo peepholes on her breasts.  

A-bun-dant life

At the 2018 VMAs, the “Chun-Li” lyricist strutted her stuff in a skintight unitard by Off-White, tailored by the late Virgil Abloh. Around her waist, Minaj sported a chiffon skirt atop the crème-colored onesie, which gave audiences a great gander at her bountiful behind. She accented the vision with a pair of jet-black pigtails, cascading down to her calves. 

Cups runneth over 

Once again flashing her goodies, the “Good Form” goddess dropped jaws at this year’s Met Gala, sashaying down the star-studded soiree’s promenade in a black, corseted number by Burberry. Walking into the exclusive bash with the brand’s creative director, Riccardo Tisci, Minaj fought to keep her breasts — which, like her cheeks and arms — were embellished with rhinestones, from falling out of the bespoke bustier. The voluptuous diva accessorized her look with crotch-high leather boots, a black baseball cap and a multitiered train.