There are many ways to steal attention on the red carpet.

And Nicki Minaj opted for the time-honoured underwear free approach as she turned heads in a figure-hugging gown  at the MTV VMA’s on Sunday.

The sans panties look certainly seemed to please her boyfriend Meek Mill, as he was all hands as they posed together on the pre-show red carpet.

Milling around: Nicki Minaj’s rapper beau Meek was all hands as they posed at the MTV VMAs in New York on Sunday

Under-where? She had opted to wear no panties for her head-turning red carpet appearance

Nicki Minaj and boyfriend Meek Mill loved up at 2016 MTV VMAs

Thankfully there was a thick strip of velvet running down the front of the 33-year-old’s dress to preserve a modicum of her modesty.

Nicki first made her mark on the music world with her album Pink Friday.

But it was a colour of a different hue that helped her turn heads at the thrilling pop music event.

The pop vixen looked in fine form indeed as she made her grand entrance in the revealing blue gown.

Down boy: She adjusted her enthusiastic beau’s wandering hands as they posed up

Human octopus: The rapper seemed reluctant to let her escape his grip

Putting a smile on his face: The hip hop star seemed to be enjoying their posing session

The not-so-little mermaid: She showcased her generous curves in the daringly tight dress

Super Bass favourite Nicki was looking close to her best as she posed up a storm in the extremely tight velvet and lace number, which showcased her generously sized charms to the maximum.

And the outfit was typically over-the-top, boasting a exotic mermaid skirt that required some adjustment by an underling before she posed up with her rapper beau Meek Mill on the red carpet.

Indeed her other half proved to be something of a wardrobe expert himself, giving helpful tips to the assistant as she adjusted the dress.

Nicki is one of the marquee performers at the event, which will no doubt be a thrilling cavalcade of popular music.

Revealing: The fabric on the busty star’s dress was being stretched to the limit

She wore blue velvet: Softer than satin was the light from the photographer’s flashbulbs

How quaint: Eventually Meek adopted a traditional posing position

But the Anaconda favourite’s thunder was somewhat stolen when it emerged Beyonce was going to make a surprise appearance at the event.

She will be hitting the stage to squeeze out some hits from her latest album Lemonade.

In addition to the dynamic duo, other performers include: Rihanna, Britney Spears, Future, Ariana Grande and Nick Jonas with Ty Dolla $ign, and the Chainsmokers with Halsey.

Just hanging: She nonchalantly leaned on the wall as she lapped up the attention

Taxing lean: But she made it look easy as she went through her red carpet paces

Meek and ye shall find: The self-styled rapper proved to be a surprisingly observant wardrobe assistant