Catholics Blast Nicki Minaj's Grammy Stunt

Catholic League: Academy would never allow similar insult to Judaism, Islam
By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 13, 2012 3:11 PM CST
Catholics Blast Nicki Minaj's Grammy Stunt
Nicki Minaj arrives at the 54th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012 in Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Madonna might've been down on her creaky old knees at the Super Bowl, but hell hath no fury like the Catholic League today over Nicki Minaj's religious-themed, stunt-laden appearance at last night's Grammy Awards. The League today issued a press release titled, "Is Nicki Minaj Possessed?" Concluding that the answer to that question is "open," the League blasted the Recording Academy for allowing the performance, saying, "Never would they allow an artist to insult Judaism or Islam."

"It's bad enough that Catholics have to fight for their rights vis-a-vis a hostile administration in Washington without also having to fend off attacks in the entertainment industry," continued the release. Mainstream reactions to Minaj's performance—which featured her levitating and speaking in tongues—weren't much better, notes the Huffington Post. A typical tweet: "Stevie Wonder was the luckiest man in the crowd at the nicki minaj performance." (More Nicki Minaj stories.)

Catholics Blast Nicki Minaj's Grammy Stunt
Nicki Minaj arrives at the 54th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012 in Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Catholics Blast Nicki Minaj's Grammy Stunt
Nicki Minaj arrives at the 54th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012 in Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Catholics Blast Nicki Minaj's Grammy Stunt
Nicki Minaj, right, and guest arrive at the 54th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012 in Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Catholics Blast Nicki Minaj's Grammy Stunt
Nicki Minaj, right, and guest arrive at the 54th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012 in Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Catholics Blast Nicki Minaj's Grammy Stunt
Nicki Minaj performs during the 54th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012 in Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
Catholics Blast Nicki Minaj's Grammy Stunt
Nicki Minaj performs during the 54th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012 in Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
Catholics Blast Nicki Minaj's Grammy Stunt
Nicki Minaj performs during the 54th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012 in Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
Catholics Blast Nicki Minaj's Grammy Stunt
Nicki Minaj performs during the 54th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012 in Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
Catholics Blast Nicki Minaj's Grammy Stunt
Nicki Minaj performs during the 54th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012 in Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
Catholics Blast Nicki Minaj's Grammy Stunt
Nicki Minaj performs onstage at the Grammy Awards held at Staples Center on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles.   (Getty Images)
Catholics Blast Nicki Minaj's Grammy Stunt
Nicki Minaj performs at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles.   (Getty Images)