“American Idol” kicked off with the New York City auditions on Jan 16. The show has three new judges Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey, and Keith Urban. Randy Jackson and Ryan Seacrest have remained with the show from previous seasons. It was clear from the start of the show that Nicki was the one in the spotlight.
It was apparant that Nicki Minaj, a Trinidad born rapper and pop star will not tolerate Mariah Carey’s diva ways.
“I have to strangle one of the divas on the panel, but I won’t tell you who,” an annoyed Minaj told one of the camera operators by the end of the show reported Fox News.
Minaj shot flashes of the stink eye, with disapproving looks and a plethora of disparaging remarks meant for Carey. It was not a secret that the diva had irked the “Super Bass” singer’s nerves right from the start.
Ryan who has referred to Carey as “the definition of diva,” did not put up much of a fight last night. Carey seemed simply flustered by Minaj’s cheeky behavior and off handed comments.
“You know that there’s going to be a little bit of potential personality conflict,” explained Ryan. “Our superstars were super passionate from the get-go” according to Fox News.
The shows first country star Keith Urban just tried to not get caught in the crossfire between the two. He almost pulled it off, except the Coca-Cola that he spilled on Minaj.
Carey and Urban seemed to be pretty forthcoming in their critiques of the New York idol contestants. Minaj put her own twist on her critiques and mixed it up by being a cheer leader and offering future career advice to some of the contestants that didn't make it to Hollywood.
Sarah Restuccio was one of Minaj’s favorites. She is a 17-year-old blueberry farm worker who sang Carrie Underwood’s “Mamma’s Song”. Then she blew the judges away with her spin of a freestyle version of “Super Bass.”
“It was two different moments, and I feel, two perfected moments,” declared Minaj, interrupting Carey mid-sentence. “Nobody does that.”
Carey was exceptionally sweet and encouraged all of the contestants – while offering an honest assessment on their lack of vocal talent.
“I really mean what I say when I say that you are special – just not for this competition,” Minaj gently consoling 15-year-old James Bae who has aspirations of being like Justin Bieber. “But I think for life in general, I love that you own it. You’re so young, you’re not afraid – I would never do this when I was your age. I was so scared.”
Bae was rewarded by Minaj with a comforting hug and kiss, which made him feel like a winner.
Idol had its share of dreadful sounding contestants from New York along with heartbreaking stories of misfortune. Evan Ruggiero was an inspirational cancer survivor who did a little Jason Mraz and then rocked it with a Bon Jovi song. The judges didn’t feel Evan was ready for Hollywood. I think they missed the mark on this one. Another contestant was partially deaf, and Brett Holt had auditioned for seven years and failed again to make it to Hollywood.
At the end of the day, the judges had chosen 41 contestants to go to Hollywood. Minaj was feeling pretty hopeful herself.
“I feel like we gel well,” Minaj revealed to her fellow judges. “In a weird, crazy way.”
“I agree,” noted Carey.
Let's see what happens, next stop Chicago.
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