Nicki Minaj's dress had a mind of its own at Sunday night's VMAs. The "Anaconda" songstress narrowly averted disaster when she came dangerously close to a wardrobe malfunction during her opening performance on MTV with Ariana Grande and Jessie J.

The somewhat dramatic save comes just two days after one of Minaj's backup dancers was bitten by a boa constrictor during rehearsal for the award show.

Minaj had fans mesmerized during the performance of her new single "Anaconda," part of a show-opening medley with Ariana Grande and Jessie J. After Grande's performance of "Break Free," the rapper/singer took the stage in a provocative green ensemble and proceeded to display her expert twerking skills.

However, when the three ladies started in on their hit collaboration "Bang Bang," Minaj, fresh from a wardrobe change, was noticeably holding the front of her short black cut-out dress together.

Minaj proved herself a pro, however, and maintained her composure as she finished the performance. Her hands remained glued to her dress, presumably keeping herself from flashing the crowd... and cameras.

This has been a dramatic week for Minaj, who was forced to retool her 2014 VMA performance when one of her back-up dancers was bitten by a boa constrictor during rehearsals.

The dancer, a female contortionist, was allegedly bitten on the left arm by a show-biz snake named Rocky.

According to MTV, after the dancer was initially injured, Minaj asked, "Did she get bit by the snake?

Its handler, who had been watching the animal throughout the rehearsal, quickly removed Rocky from the stage.

The reportedly docile Dumeril's boa constrictor is a non-venomous creature that eats rodents. The animal is known to wrap itself around its prey and squeeze as a means of attack.

Chris Velvin, director of production safety for Viacom Media Networks, which owns MTV, addressed the situation, claiming that the dancer was taken to the hospital out of "an abundance of caution."

Velvin continued with an update on the victim.

"It is in no way life-threatening, but scary," said Velvin. "We wanted her to start getting treatment as soon as possible."

At the VMAs, Minaj opted to forgo the snake.