It’s the feud that will never die. Just in time for the premiere of American Idol, Mariah Carey admits she increased security during the filming of auditions last summer when co-host Nicki Minaj threatened her.
“It felt like an unsafe work environment. Anytime anybody’s reeling threats at somebody, you know, it’s not appropriate. I’m a professional. I’m not used to that type of environment,” said Carey to Barbara Walters in an interview that will air tonight on Nightline.
Indicating fear for children, Carey continued that “Sitting there on the road with two babies, I’m not gonna take any chances, so yeah, I did hire more security.”
The two reportedly got into a scuffle at the judges table at the judges table “If I had a gun, I would shoot that b****,” Nicki allegedly remarked.
Partial footage of the fight leaked online last fall, adding credence to rumors of tension between the two. The video was captured during auditions held in Charlotte, North Carolina. According to sources, Nicki and Mariah disagreed over a contestant’s performance and the former lost her cool with a shaken Keith Urban caught in the middle.
“I’m gonna knock you out!” said the “Super Bass” rapper directly to Carey. She then turned her attention to producers and her threats alluded to trouble in the past.
“I told them, I’m not f*ckin’ putting up with her f*ckin’ highness over there,” spat Minaj.
In her new interview with Walters, Carey tries to take the high road–at least for the cameras. “For all the drama, I hope it helps the show. I think it’s a classic, classy show and it didn’t need this,” she said.
Carey continued that she tried not to dwell on the drama during filming, preferring to focus on the contestants. “I’ve been blessed to live my dream more than half my life, so I want help give that back to someone else,” the “We Belong Together” singer said.
Carey, despite her entourage, feuds, and likely outrageous on-set demands, remains the best-selling female artist of all time, with more number one songs than any artist sans the Beatles. She is certainly a “get” for Idol, with the $18 million salary to prove it– a fact that surely didn’t sit well with Minaj.
Carey and Minaj will join Keith Urban and veteran judge Randy Jackson when American Idol premieres January 16. Ryan Seacrest will again serve as host.
