Boa constrictor goes off script during Nicki Minaj VMA rehearsal

Snakes and stage slips: There's drama and the MTV Video Music Awards haven't even begun yet.

Days before the big show, Iggy Azalea slipped offstage while performing "Fancy" at a MTV benefit concert, later posting the video on Instagram and making fun of herself. More seriously, a 6-foot-long (2-meter-long) boa constrictor bit a background dancer during a rehearsal for Nicki Minaj's performance of "Anaconda," MTV News reported. MTV said Minaj was onstage, and the female dancer was treated onsite and transported to a hospital.

And at another rehearsal, a show worker fell from one of the winding, sloping platforms on the stage at the Forum in Inglewood, California, which reopened in January after a $100 million makeover.

The drama is helping the popular awards show, airing Sunday night, trend on social media even before an award is handed out, though trophies often take a back seat at the VMAs, which are all about the moments. And the show will likely provide even more memorable moments, much like last year's show, which we will call the Video Miley Awards.

Miley Cyrus is returning Sunday, this time as a nominee for video of the year with "Wrecking Ball." She isn't set to perform, but the outrageous singer, who has kept quiet recently, could surprise with another twerking moment that could own the night and steal the spotlight from the slew of A-list pop divas.

Beyonce will perform and receive the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard award. She's the leading nominee, competing for eight awards, including video of the year for "Drunk In Love."

Taylor Swift, who is fully venturing out into the world of pop music, will sing her new song "Shake It Off" for the first time. And Ariana Grande, who is releasing her sophomore album, "My Everything," minutes after the VMAs wrap, will perform twice, including opening the show with Minaj and Jessie J for "Bang Bang."

"I'm so excited. ... MTV has been so supportive to me and I can't thank them enough," said the 21-year-old Grande, who is nominated for three moonmen for best pop video, female video and collaboration for "Problem" with Azalea.

Azalea, like Eminem, has seven nominations. The Australian rapper is nominated twice for both best female and pop video thanks to the success of "Problem" and "Fancy." The latter will compete for video of the year.

Charli XCX, who co-stars on "Fancy," said she first met Azalea on the set of the "Clueless"-inspired music video after they recorded the No. 1 hit separately. The 22-year-old English singer, who was also featured on last year's summer smash "I Love It" with Icona Pop, is nominated for the artist to watch award for her breakthrough solo hit, "Boom Clap."

"I mean it's cool, that's for sure," said Charli XCX, who said she's got four outfits lined up for Sunday. "I'm excited to be there because I haven't done an awards show like on my own, if you know what I mean."

She'll battle girl group Fifth Harmony and rising acts who have topped the charts this year, including boy band 5 Seconds of Summer, rapper Schoolboy Q and pop singer Sam Smith, who will also perform Sunday night.

"My dreams are coming true this weekend. I'm performing at the VMAs," Smith said at the MTV benefit concert also featuring Azalea.

Smith's "Stay With Me" is also up for best male video, pitting him against Eminem, John Legend, Ed Sheeran and Pharrell, whose "Happy" is also nominated for video of the year.

Sia's "Chandelier," which has helped the singer-songwriter achieve a musical breakthrough this year, will battle Pharrell, Azalea, Beyonce and Cyrus for the night's top trophy.

AP entertainment writers Sandy Cohen and Nicole Evatt in Los Angeles contributed to this report.