American Idol Producers on Nicki Minaj-Mariah Carey Drama: "We Love and Support Our Judges"

Brain trust of the Fox hit finally acknowledge the issue, but say most speculation on the situation is "inaccurate"

By Natalie Finn Oct 06, 2012 12:55 AMTags
Mariah Carey, Keith Urban, Ryan Seacrest, Nicki Minaj, Randy Jackson, American Idol 12Michael Becker / FOX

The producers of American Idol aren't going so far as to say this season's judging panel is one big happy family.

But they do maintain that the apparent, er, situation between Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey isn't as precarious as the video of Minaj cussing Carey out might lead one to believe.

"This is one of the best, most passionate, dynamic and invested judging panels we've ever had," Idol producers said Friday in a joint statement. 

"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. "Despite all the accusations and media speculation—much of which is inaccurate—production is going extremely well today and the judges are focused on finding the best talent here in Baton Rouge."

And some of the judges probably do indeed love and support each other. (Every Idol fan knows how much Randy Jackson admires Carey, for instance.) But a source told E! News that there was "always hostility between [Minaj and Carey]" since Minaj was hired as the second woman on the panel.

Keith Urban, meanwhile, has taken it upon himself to be the diplomatic one.

"I was the UN," he joked to Extra. But, he added, "I love working with passionate people. I love artists. Everyone just sort of expressing themselves. It's a very alive and very invigorating work environment. A lot of passion."