The "On My Mama" singer took to social media to explain her absence to inquiring fans.
Minaj, who is set to "emcee" this year's show, performed on the pre-show in 2010.
This will mark Combs’ first performance on the show since 2005, when he did double duty as host and performer.
The VMAs' lifetime achievement award -- which has also come with a career-spanning medley performance in recent years -- most recently went to Nicki Minaj.
