Nicki Minaj on “Idol” Debut, Justin Bieber, Mariah Carey
Published at
Michael Becker / FOX(NEW YORK) — Nicki Minaj makes her debut as a judge on American Idol in January and it seems she wants to bury the hatchet with fellow judge Mariah Carey before then.
“[Mariah’s] been one of my favorite artists of all time since I can remember, so it’s weird that everything kind of, was blown up like that. It didn’t make me happy at all,” Minaj, 29, said Tuesday on Good Morning America, addressing the reports of feuding and friction between the two superstar judges.
The always colorful singer lauded praise on Mariah Carey’s legacy and vocals, but had no apologies about being her bold self at the judges’ table.
“I can’t take away what she’s done in my life and just in pop culture in general and just having one of the most amazing voices in the world,” Minaj said. “Having said that, I’m an adult and we are passionate on the set and sometimes when you’re a passionate woman, you know, sometimes it kind of ruffles other women’s feathers, but I’m going to continue to be Nicki Minaj.”
The electrifying singer said she wouldn’t consider herself a “tough judge,” but instead an honest one.
“I would consider myself an honest judge. That’s all I’m doing. I’ve said before, I want them to leave with the truth. I feel like the truth has always fueled me to get better. So sometimes criticism helps in order for you to go and like perfect your craft. And I think that’s what they want,” she said. “They’re not coming there for everyone to say, ‘Yeah, you’re great, you’re great, you’re great.’ They’re coming there for us to tell [sic] how we feel and we represent the viewers at home.”
Minaj picked up two American Music Awards Sunday night for favorite rap/hip-hop artist and rap/hip-hop album, and took to the stage twice: first performing her single “Freedom” from her reissued album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded – The Re-Up, and then singing a duet with the other big winner of the night, Justin Bieber.
Minaj said she was surprised to be asked to perform with Bieber, but said it was nerve-racking because they didn’t get to do a full rehearsal together before hand.
“That was interesting,” she said. “We never really rehearsed it together. Everything was just so quick. I had rehearsals the day before so I had to go try on outfits and stuff like that, so when I got up there with him, I kind of felt like, OK, let’s make sure everything works and I get my cue when I walk out on time.”
Minaj said she loves performing at the AMAs and that there’s something about the show that sets it apart from other music award shows.
“I had such a good time. ….The [AMAs] always treat everyone so well and they make us feel so comfortable so when you go out on stage it just feels like a family atmosphere,” she said. “Something about the way they do it…it just feels way more comfortable and super cool.”
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio