Nicki Minaj Fights With Mariah Carey On 'American Idol' Season Premiere

by UInterviewJanuary 17, 2013, 12:00 amNews >

Nicki Minaj's star (and hair) shown brightest last night in the season premiere of American Idol.

The Trinidad-born Minaj seemed to make sure that the camera found her more than any of the others on the judges' panel using a variety of her hip-hop diva antics. Keith Urban, quiet and reserved, and Randy Jackson, seasoned and seemingly bored, faded into the background with Minaj and her Mariah Carey-targeted quips.

Carey got off on Minaj's bad side almost immediately by commenting on the flamboyant drum major-style hat she was wearing. "I was gonna bring my dog. We can have accessories?" started Carey. "I didn't know that was allowed. That's all I'm gonna say." Minaj snapped back, "Why'd you have to reference my hat?"

Probably the most entertaining spat emerged after Carey quoted a line from Mean Girls. It became a contest over who knew the most about the Lindsay Lohan starring teen rom-com. Carey ultimately won the contest when Minaj couldn't correctly identify the character who says, "I want to lose 3 pounds." However, Minaj may have gotten the last laugh once Carey jogged her memory. To the next contestant, Minaj introduced Carey as Regina George – the meanest 'mean girl' who also happened to have spoken the above quote.

During the singing portions of the show, Minaj was probably the most vocal coach with only Urban showing the same level of interest. Carey looked like she'd rather be in a room of mirrors with her greatest hits album on full blast, while Jackson just seemed to be going through the motions and looked as tired as he thinks the show is. "Everybody told me my whole life I had to choose," Minaj said while one genre-bending contestant, Sarah Restucci, auditioned. "Everybody's always giving me, 'Choose! Choose! Choose! Who are you?' You are who you are and you can be exactly that person."

Urban was confused by the cross-genre audition, not feeling the passion that Minaj was obviously feeling. However, Jackson – and Carey backed Minaj's assessment with 'yes' votes, making Restuccio one of the 41 New York auditions who received the coveted ticket to Hollywood.

Check out Restuccio's NYC audition below: