Nicki Minaj Talks Mariah Carey Feud, Afraid of Looking Like "Crazy Psycho Again" on American Idol

"So I went there and I started to feel a bit of the shade. And I just kind of over compensated by being crazier," singer tells Ellen DeGeneres

By Bruna Nessif Jan 15, 2013 6:43 AMTags
E! Placeholder Image

It's a topic that seems to never die down: the battle between Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey

Once word of a feud between the two American Idol judges hit the streets, it was all anyone could talk about, so when Ellen DeGeneres had the Barbz singer on her show as a guest (airing tomorrow), she had to get the deets on that whole situation. Yeah, Nicki, what happened?!

"I don't know. It was just two big old divas, I guess," Minaj said. "I was just like sitting there, and I guess before I went in there I heard all the stuff that was being said, but I didn't believe it. I heard them saying 'Mariah doesn't want you on the panel' but I was like, 'No. I am friends with Mariah.' I was like arguing people down. Like, 'Don't believe everything you read, you're crazy.' And so I went there and I started to feel a bit of the shade. And I just kind of overcompensated by being crazier."

Clearly, Minaj realized that wasn't the best way to go about things.

"If you know someone maybe doesn't like you, it's kind of like, now you're gonna really go in...because it's like a defense mechanism. You know what I mean? It's really that. Your feelings are hurt and you can't believe it, so you kind of just compensate with being crazy."

As far as Nicki and Mariah's relationship now, the Pink Friday singer said, "We're fine. I cannot hold a grudge against Mariah Carey. What people don't understand is that I've looked up to her for so many years. Since she came out, 'Vision of Love' all that. Me and my mother would sing her songs like all day and all night. So I don't know if she's gotten over it but I have. I mean, I'm over there cracking up laughing, having fun and if she's still holding a grudge. I don't know. Like I don't care."

But Minaj had to admit one thing—she's not looking forward to live shows only because she can't trust herself.

"Just like if there's a slick comment being made, I just want it to go well. It's about the contestants. We have a lot of great talent, and I don't want anyone on the panel to say something too crazy because then I don't want to look like a crazy psycho again. I am not really a crazy psycho, you guys."

Does that make you even more excited for American Idol to start?! Sound off in the comments!

(Originally published Jan. 14, 2012, at 9:07 p.m. PT)

Nicki and Mariah are fashion frenemies