Nicki Minaj, a rap powerhouse with a career spanning nearly 15 years, has made her mark not only in music but also in television. While she’s known for her chart-topping albums, world tours, and numerous accolades—including the prestigious Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award—Minaj also dipped her toes into reality TV, taking on the role of a judge in the twelfth season of American Idol. Her brief but memorable stint on the iconic music competition show aired in 2013, where she joined Mariah Carey, Keith Urban, and Randy Jackson on the judges’ panel.
Minaj and Urban were brought in to replace Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler, who had been part of the show during its eleventh season. Season 12 of American Idol premiered on January 16, 2013, and ran for five months, concluding on May 16, 2013. The season ended with Candice Glover emerging as the winner, while Kree Harrison claimed the runner-up spot. Despite its high expectations, much of the season’s drama unfolded behind the scenes, especially between Minaj and her fellow judge, Mariah Carey.
One of the most talked-about moments from Nicki Minaj’s time on American Idol was her feud with pop legend Mariah Carey. The tension between the two superstars was evident from the start, with Carey reportedly taking issue with Minaj’s presence on the panel. According to People
A source close to the show revealed:
“Mariah doesn’t think Nicki can sing and doesn’t think she should be judging folks. Nicki has been taking all of the jabs, but on this particular day she lost it.”
In a particularly heated exchange, Minaj reportedly stormed off the set and allegedly threatened Carey, saying:
“If I had a gun, I’d shoot that fing bh.”
Despite the intense behind-the-scenes drama, Fox quickly released a statement to quell rumors that the feud would disrupt the show. The network praised the judging panel, calling it one of the most “passionate, dynamic, and invested” panels they’d ever had, and reassured fans that production was proceeding smoothly.
Although all four judges completed the season, by the time it concluded, three of them—Nicki Minaj, Randy Jackson, and Mariah Carey—announced their exit from the show. Keith Urban was the only judge who returned for Season 13, with Randy Jackson stepping into a mentor role rather than remaining on the panel.
Fast forward to December 14, 2023, and Nicki Minaj revisited her American Idol experience during an episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. When asked by Cohen how much it would take for her to return as a judge on the show, Minaj jokingly quoted a hefty price tag of $30 million. She also discussed pop divas, naming Beyoncé and Rihanna as her picks for the queens of pop.
Minaj also offered fans an update on her long-awaited documentary, which was first announced in 2020. While the project has been delayed, Minaj assured viewers that the documentary is complete and will eventually be released. She revealed that the delay was due to her album’s unfinished state at the time and promised that the documentary would offer fans a unique, behind-the-scenes look at her life. Although there’s no official title or release date for the documentary yet, Minaj’s fans are eagerly awaiting more details.
Nicki Minaj’s time on American Idol may have been brief, but it was certainly unforgettable. Between the dramatic moments on set and her insightful critiques of contestants, Minaj’s stint on the show added yet another dimension to her already multifaceted career.
