Minaj's Grammy Performance: True "Vision" or Publicity Stunt?

     This past weekend at the 54th Grammy Awards, one performance in particular has caused a lot of controversy. Nicki Minaj arrived to the award show in a red-hooded cape along with a man dressed up as the "pope" to accompany her. But that was only the beginning. Later, Minaj’s performance began on stage with a mock confessional skit followed by a clip of a mock exorcism. The stage had stained glass in the background and she appeared on stage with choice boys and monks dancing. At one point during the performance, barely clothed female dancers were stretched backwards while altar boys knelt between their legs in prayer. To end the performance, "Come All Ye Faithful" was sung while a man dressed as a bishop walked on stage.
    Upsetting a lot of people, Nicki Minaj tried to defend her performance by saying she was playing one of her alter egos, a man named Roman, and that she had been writing the story of this particular alter ego for two years. The religious figure is there because he was called on by Roman's mom to rehabilitate him. She wanted him to be exorcised, but people around him telling him he's not good enough, that hes not normal and fitting in. Minaj says she wanted to show Roman is "amazing and confident, but he's never going to be exorcised and when they throw the holy water on him, he rises above it."
    The Catholic Church has condemned the performance and expressed its disappointment at the the irresponsibility of The Recording Academy who allowed the performance to air. I understand Nicki Minaj's concept of a misunderstood character and the people around him trying to "cure" him. What I don't understand is why the Catholic church needed to be not only represented but mocked during the performance. It is frustrating as a Catholic because had the performance mocked and insulted Judaism or Islam, it wouldn't have aired. What I find most upsetting is Minaj's dismissive response and lack of apologize to those who were offended by her performance.
    As much as Minaj may claim the performance was her true vision, I think she knew it would cause a huge controversy and what better time to cause a scandal than when her new single was released today and her new album is coming out later this year.