VH1 Divas Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj, Paramore 'Salute the Troops .

highlights from the show, which was hosted by Kathy Griffin and taped primarily in San Diego a week before it aired, included several performances from Perry, who played several of her hits and even teamed up with Nicki Minaj for a breed of Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Need to Make Fun." Minaj's outfit may have been a testimonial to Lauper: She wore bright orange and blue mini-skirt with aqua tights. On her own, Minaj performed "Moment 4 Life," "Right Thru Me" and "Roman's Revenge" from her just-released Pink Friday.

The show's military theme reached its height when Perry, Keri Hilson and Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles donned World War II-era military uniforms for a report of the 1940s hit "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy."

Paramore's performance was taped at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait, and featured the band performing "My Hero" and "The Sole Exception."

Sugarland was united by veteran female rapper MC Lyte, who teamed up for the group's "Stuck Like Glue" and so paying tribute to Aretha Franklin with a deal of her 1968 hit "Think." Last week Franklin underwent surgery for an undisclosed ailment that forced her to invalidate all tour dates through May.

"Miss Aretha Franklin, get well soon," Nettles said. "We take your voice, baby!"

At the end of the show, the troops got a heartfelt tribute from Perry, who performed her recent single "Firework" clad in a glamorous full-length red gown.

"Before I go this next song," she said, "I just wanna say thank you from the bed of my heart, wherever you are in the world service for our country." She then saluted. "God bless you all, this one goes out to you."

Nicki Minaj Drives Soldiers Crazy At 'VH1 Divas' [MTV News]

Katy Perry Gets Patriotic With 'California Gurls,' 'Firework' For 'VH1 Divas' [MTV News]