Talent competition reality show 'American Idol' is getting some much-needed spotlight coverage, but it may be for the wrong reasons. Celebrity gossip site, TMZ, published a video last night showing new 'Idol' judge rapper Nicki Minaj lashing out on fellow judge, singer Mariah Carey.
In the video, which appears to be shot by a cell phone, the young rapper is seen shouting expletives towards Carey without actually facing her. The incident happened while the duo, along with fellow 'Idol' judges Randy Jackson and Keith Urban, were doing auditions in Charlotte, N.C.
The explosive footage has made fans of both the show and the artists take to social networking site Twitter to express their reactions. Many appeared to be on Carey's side, who is seen calmly responding to Minaj before comparing her to a three-year-old.
Under the hashtag #TeamMariah, fans of the Grammy winning singer poured their support for her. "I can't believe this nonsense on American Idol...@NICKIMINAJ is a straight up clown & needs to step down #TeamMariah," tweeted @JessiG_2803.
Fellow fan, @Gagarexi agreed, tweeting, "Nicki Minaj is 30 and threatens to knock Mariah Carey out. Can she grow up? Why is she even allowed to sit with someone like Mariah?"
While some fans found the feud entertaining, others were upset that the ongoing alleged fuel between the two singers is upstaging the purpose of the show. "When is American Idol going to be more about TALENT and less about FAKE FEUDS?" tweeted @maurice8th.
Fans of the show have not been the only ones to comment on the expletive-laden fight. Celebrity Nick Cannon, who is Carey's husband, spoke to Access Hollywood and said that the feud takes away from the purpose of the show.
"When you think about what the show is actually about and represents... I feel like it's taking away from the quality of what 'Idol' is all about," Cannon said. "This is about people accomplishing their dreams, experts guiding these young people to do what they've done."
Cannon also expressed how proud he was of how his wife dealt with the situation, saying, "My wife is the strongest and classiest woman that I've ever met, if you watch the video, she just maintains her composure...I don't think she's moved by the theatrics and pageantry of it all. She signed up to do a job to help young people...this is like a sidebar."
Ryan Seacrest, who hosts the show, also spoke about the fight. During his morning radio show, On Air With Ryan Seacrest , the host said the fight was a "very heated, intense argument" which in the end caused producers to call to an end to the day's auditions.
You can watch the video here.