Rapper Nicki Minaj's embarrassing wardrobe malfunction at the 2014 Video Music Awards was planned all along.

The Super Bass hitmaker hit headlines on Sunday (24Aug14) when she clutched her open dress together while performing her collaboration with Ariana Grande and Jessie J onstage at the ceremony.

Speaking after the Los Angeles ceremony, Minaj insisted she ran out of time to zip the gown up and but it is now being reported the malfunction was actually a pre-meditated stunt.

Eyewitnesses tell TMZ.com that Minaj rehearsed the performance with the same dress problem and constantly rearranged how she would hold the gown together.