Mariah Carey on Minaj Feud: I Hired More Security

With "American Idol" returning to Fox next week, it seems Mariah Carey's been working on her look of disdain.

The singer talked with Barbara Walters for ABC News' "Nightline" on Monday about the seemingly endless feud between herself and fellow new "Idol" judge Nicki Minaj.

After chatting about Carey's career, Walters got down to business.

Walters was "in the ballpark" on the singer's rumored $18 million contract, and Carey also confirmed that she hired extra security after her initial judges' panel row with Minaj at an audition in North Carolina in October.

Carey told Walters after footage of the fight leaked that Minaj threatened her off-camera, saying multiple people heard the rapper say, "If I had a gun, I would shoot the b****."


Minaj responded to the allegation on Twitter at the time, denying that she ever referenced a gun and insinuating that Carey wasn't being honest.

But on Monday, Carey said that "Idol" had begun to feel like "an unsafe work environment."

"Anytime anybody's reeling threats at somebody, you know, that's just - it's not appropriate," Carey said. "I've got two babies, I'm not going to take any chances, so yeah I did hire more security. I just felt it was the appropriate thing to do."


Walters then brought up Minaj's song "Hell Yeah," in which Minaj raps, "OK, I'll take it, sign on the dotted line. But I'm quick to check a b**** if she's outta line. ... Why these bums so mad that the queen on 'Idol'?"

On whether she's the "b****" Minaj is referring to in the song, Carey couldn't say.

"Don't know," Carey responded. "I didn't know she sang, I thought she rapped, or whatever. ... I think ['Idol'] is a classic, classy show, and it didn't need this."

"American Idol's" new season premieres January 16 and 17.