Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj Feud: American Idol "Felt Like an Unsafe Work Environment"

"Anytime anybody's reeling threats at somebody, you know, it's not appropriate," judge tells Barbara Walters

By Rebecca Macatee Jan 07, 2013 7:40 PMTags

Lambs and Barbz, remain calm, but Mariah Carey is once again talking about her infamous feud with Nicki Minaj.

Although the American Idol judges have now made up, Carey recently recalled a tumultuous time between herself and Minaj in an interview with Barbara Walters.

"It felt like an unsafe work environment," Carey recalls, referencing the time in October when she claims Minaj said she would "shoot that bitch" if she had a gun. Minaj denied saying this. "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."

Carey says hiring more security following Minaj's threats felt like "the appropriate thing to do."

"Sitting there on the road with two babies, I'm not going to take any chances," she adds, referring to her and Nick Cannon's 1-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe.

Still, Carey is optimistic Idol's future, even though she and Minaj will both be on the judges' panel. "For all the drama, I hope it helps the show," Carey said. "I think it's a classic, classy show and it didn't need this."

"For me, ultimately, this is about the kids, the contestants," Carey says. "I've been blessed to live my dream more than half my life, so I want help give that back to someone else."

For Walters' full interview with Carey, tune in to Nightline Monday at 11:35 p.m. on ABC.