Nicki Minaj is no stranger to fierce, sometimes off-the-wall fashion, but her red carpet ensemble at tonight’s Grammy ceremony is very out there, even for her. Minaj sported a hooded, red silk gown — that looked an awful lot like a scarlet nun’s habit — with beading on the skirt in the shape of a woman’s face. But that wasn’t even the weirdest part. The strangest part of Minaj’s wardrobe choice tonight wasn’t a part of her outfit at all.

It was Minaj’s escort. Her date for the red carpet festivities? An older gentleman dressed up as the Pope.

Minaj paired her bizarre gown and date with red silk gloves and surprisingly understated hair and makeup. Instead of her usual candy-colored, DayGlo facial and hair hues, Minaj had a polished but natural makeup look accompanying a plain, wavy platinum wig.

Despite being outrageous, like her fashion choices tend to be, the outfit is a sure step out of Minaj’s comfort zone in that it actually looks comfortable. The Harajuku Barbie’s often exaggerated curves are camouflaged by the flowing gown, whereas they’re usually squeezed into bodyhugging, boy-baiting numbers.

We’er not sure what the story behind her sartorial choice is just yet (an ode to ‘Like a Prayer’ singer and ‘Give Me All Your Luvin’‘ collaborator Madonna, perhaps?), but we can’t wait to find out.

We also wonder if her date confused her with the girl who who parodied her with ‘Super Grace.’

More From 92.9 NiN