Feeling blue? Nicki Minaj gets creative with the body paint in an eye-catching photo shoot

But Nicki Minaj has taken her love of turning heads one step further in a new shoot for the Power Issue of American Vogue magazine.

The rapper can be seen painted a striking shade of blue in an image shot by photographer Steven Klein.

Bright young thing: Nicki Minaj is eye-catching in blue body paint in the March Power Issue of American Vogue

The sapphire shade presents a stark contrast to Nicki’s bubble gum pink curls and matching slick of lipstick.

The 29-year-old also wears a dramatic scarlet dress and matching opera gloves to complete her unusual look for the fashion magazine shoot.

And in an interview to accompany the creative photograph, the star opened up about how her style wasn’t always so distinctive.

Eye-catching: The rapper is known for her love of bright colours and bold prints

Pink palette: Nicki has designed a lipstick for MAC's Viva Glam range

The BRIT Awards 2012 winners

• British Male Solo Artist WINNER: Ed Sheeran NOMINEES: James Blake James Morrison Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds Professor Green

  British Female Solo Artist WINNER: Adele NOMINEES: Florence & the Machine Jessie J Kate Bush Laura Marling

• British Breakthrough Act WINNER: Ed Sheeran NOMINEES: Anna Calvi Emeli Sandé Jessie J The Vaccines

  British Group WINNER: Coldplay NOMINEES: Arctic Monkeys Chase & Status Elbow Kasabian

• British Single WINNER: One Direction - What Makes You Beautiful NOMINEES: Adele - Someone Like You Ed Sheeran - The A Team Example - Changed The Way You Kissed Me Jessie J ft Bob - Price Tag JLS ft Dev - She Makes Me Wanna Military Wives/Gareth Malone - Wherever You Are Olly Murs ft Rizzle Kicks - Heart Skips A Beat Pixie Lott - All About Tonight The Wanted - Glad You Came

  MasterCard British Album of the Year WINNER: Adele NOMINEES: Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto Ed Sheeran - + Florence & The Machine - Ceremonials PJ Harvey - Let England Shake

• International Male Solo Artist WINNER: Bruno Mars NOMINEES: Aloe Blacc Bon Iver David Guetta Ryan Adams

  International Female Solo Artist WINNER: Rihanna NOMINEES: Beyoncé Bjork Feist Lady Gaga

• International Group WINNER: Foo Fighters NOMINEES: Fleet Foxes Jay Z/ Kanye West Lady Antebellum Maroon 5

  International Breakthrough Act WINNER: Lana Del Rey NOMINEES: Aloe Blacc Bon Iver Foster The People Nicki Minaj

• Outstanding Contribution to Music WINNER: Blur

  Critics Choice 1st - Emeli Sandé 2nd - Maverick Sabre 3rd - Michael Kiwanuka

• British Producer WINNER: Ethan Johns NOMINEES: Paul Epworth Flood