Entertainment | Celebrity

“Idol” producers comment on Minaj-Carey feud

“This is one of the best, most passionate, dynamic and invested judging panels we’ve ever had”

Staff Report
Published: 15:13 October 7, 2012

Image Credit: AP
The new judges for the singing competition series, "American Idol," from left, Mariah Carey, Keith Urban and Nicki Minaj. Host Ryan Seacrest said Wednesday, Oct. 3, that things got intense between new judges Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey. (AP)

American Idol producers have taken the unprecedented step of issuing a statement to calm down fears that the reported feud between Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj is turning violent.

The Hollywood Reporter reports that Idol producers say the details of the fighting between the two judges is “inaccurate,” and say that “production is going extremely well today [Friday] and the judges are focused on finding the best talent here in Baton Rouge.”

“This is one of the best, most passionate, dynamic and invested judging panels we’ve ever had,” reads the comment. “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.”

However in a chat with US news queen Barbara Walters, Carey indicated she has hired extra security and “doesn’t feel comfortable” at the “American Idol” auditions after show staffers told her that fellow judge Nicki Minaj muttered, “If I had a gun, I would shoot the [woman],” after the two divas argued. “Nicki is unpredictable, and Mariah says she can’t take a chance,” Walters said during the Hot Topics portion of “The View,” reported the Washington Post.

The followed a video on Tuesday in which Minaj launched an expletive-ridden tirade at Carey during auditions in North Carolina.

“Idol” executive producer Nigel Lythgoe said on Wednesday that a report that Minaj threatened Carey after Tuesday’s fight was “absolute rubbish,” explaining that Mariah confronted Nicki that day Wednesday, asking whether she made the threat. “Nicki said, ‘Absolutely not.’”