Filipino designer’s dress saved Nicki Minaj from Billboard wardrobe malfunction

LAS VEGAS — After an explosive opening performance for Billboard Music Awards 2017 Monday, Nicki Minaj’s all-black, studded latex costume ripped off, exposing her private parts but unknown to the public, the rapper revealed in a Twitter post.

Dress ripped all the way up to my vajajay. Smh. I had never even tried that black dress on. We just had to throw it on last minute 

— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) May 22, 2017

Nicki Minaj performs at the Billboard Music Awards at the T-Mobile Arena on Sunday, May 21, 2017, in Las Vegas. Invision/AP/Chris Pizzello

Good thing, the pop star had a backup: an all-black, feathery outfit courtesy of Dubai-based Filipino designer Michael Cinco.

Nicki’s Michael Cinco dress, which she paired with knee-high gladiator boots, took center stage as she accompanied her good friend, Drake, pick up his Top Artist Award, making him win a record 13 awards and beating Adele with the most Billboard Music Award trophies.

Drake accepts the top artist award at the Billboard Music Awards at the T-Mobile Arena on Sunday, May 21, 2017, in Las Vegas. Invision/AP/Chris Pizzello

Early this month, Nicki made headlines when she announced she would shoulder her fans’ school costs if they were to show her their perfect marks. After receiving screenshots of grades from some fans, she agreed to pay the fans’ student loans and book costs. She then vowed to repeat the contest after a month or two.

Apart from Minaj, Michael has dressed up other A-list stars like Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Kylie Minogue, Britney Spears, Carrie Underwood, Christina Aguilera, Nicole Scherzinger, Fergie Ferguson, Ellie Goulding, Dita Von Teese, Chris Brown, Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell, Brandy and Ashanti. British pop star Paloma Faith wore Michael’s couture dress at the Metropolitan Museum Gala in New York.

In 2015, Lopez wore a crystallized Michael Cinco opus as host of the American Music Awards. Likewise, Sofia Vergara was voted as “Best Dressed” by many magazines and TV shows when she walked in the Golden Globes 2013 red carpet in a Cinco creation.

Michael also designed costumes for Mila Kunis’ sci-fi hit, “Jupiter Ascending.” Last weekend, Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan turned heads when she walked on the Cannes Film Festival 2017 red carpet in a blue Michael Cinco ball gown.

RELATED: Bollywood star wears Filipino designers in Cannes red carpet