“American Idol” Is Doing ‘Extremely Well’ Despite Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj Feud
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Brad Barket/PictureGroup(NEW YORK) — While American Idol judges Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj have been splashed across the headlines this week after Minaj was caught on tape throwing a curse-filled rant at Carey, producers for the show say that everything is going “extremely well” among the judges.
“This is one of the best, most passionate, dynamic and invested judging panels we’ve ever had,” the American Idol producers said in a statement to Friday. “We love and support all of the judges and the fantastic work they are doing, and we can’t imagine a better group to find the next AMERICAN IDOL. Despite all the accusations and media speculation — much of which is inaccurate — production is going extremely well today and the judges are focused on finding the best talent here in Baton Rouge.”
On The View Thursday, Barbara Walters revealed more details about the feud between Carey and Minaj, in an off-camera interview before the show.
Carey, 42, claimed to Walters that multiple people heard Minaj, 29, say, “If I had a gun, I would shoot the b***h” after she went off on Carey. She also said the altercation between the judges began when they disagreed on a contestant’s audition Tuesday in Charlotte, N.C.
Carey said she will continue with Idol but that she does not feel “comfortable emotionally” and has hired extra security. She was spotted Friday leaving an Idol audition in New Orleans with a large team of people around her.
After Walters explained Carey’s side of the story on The View, Minaj tweeted, “Hey yAll. Lets just say nicki said smthn about a gun. ppl will believe it cuz she’s a black rapper. Lmao. I’ll then hit up Barbara n milk it.”
“Ironically no camera or mic heard the gun comment tho. Lol @ the struggle. Not even the producers believed u. Say no to violence,” she added.
A rep for Minaj did not respond to ABC News’ request for comment.
TMZ met up with The Voice judge Cee-Lo Green, who said he had his doubts about whether the feud is real.
“This is Hollywood, California… Hardly anything’s legit!” he said.
Both women have said the feud is over and Minaj had a cryptic apology on Twitter.
“Oop sorry brat. **** is real in the field. Pls accept my apology,” she tweeted Thursday.
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