The producers of American Idol say that all is going well this season, in spite of the drama that seems to be brewing between Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey, Us Weekly reports.
In a statement released Friday night, the producers said that much of the "speculation" that the two new judges have been feuding is "inaccurate." "Production is going extremely well today and the judges are focused on finding the best talent here in Baton Rouge," the statement said.
Rumors of a rivalry between Minaj and Carey have dogged the two every since they signed on as judges for the show's 12th season. On Tuesday, just two weeks after she insisted that they were "getting along wonderfully," Minaj was filmed going off on a profanity-laced tirade against Carey, apparently after a disagreement over a contestant's performance. When Carey told The View's Barbara Walters that Minaj had threatened her, the Pink Friday rapper ranted against her fellow judge on Twitter.
Although Tuesday's blow-up reportedly forced an early end to the day's auditions, the producers declared their support for the cast.
"This is one of the best, most passionate, dynamic and invested judging panels we've ever had," the statement said. "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."
