Barbara Walters Scores ‘Idol’ Feud Scoop
Nicky Minaj Image by getty images
Pop diva Mariah Carey said she hired increased security following what she described as threats reportedly made against her by fellow ‘American Idol’ judge Nicki Minaj, according to an interview on ABC News.
Carey, 42, one of three new judges to join the “American Idol” panel for the hit talent show’s new season on Jan. 16, told Barbara Walters in an interview airing on Monday, “it felt like an unsafe work environment.”
“Anytime anybody’s reeling threats at somebody, you know, it’s not appropriate,” Carey said.
“I’m a professional. I’m not used to that type of environment,” she said, adding that she hired extra security.
The diva was alluding to widely reported tension between her and Minaj, who were seen arguing with one another in a video from the show’s audition phase.
Walters has reported that, according to Carey, others on the “Idol” set heard Minaj go further and say, off-camera, “If I had a gun, I would shoot that bitch.”
Minaj, a Trinidadian-born singer and songwriter, previously denied making any remarks about firearms, but Carey told Walters that beefing up her security “was the appropriate thing to do.”
“Sitting there on the road with two babies, I’m not going to take any chances,” she said, referring to her 20-month old twins with husband Nick Cannon.
But in a sign of media savvy, she noted that “for all the drama, I hope it helps the show.”
Walters also asked Carey about reports she is being paid $18 million for each “Idol” season.
“I think we’re in the ballpark, (but) I can’t even talk about those things,” the singer replied.
A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse..
Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
