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Mariah Carey: There’s No American Idol Feud With Nicki Minaj — Yet!

1347973399_mariah carey nicki minaj article
Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj

American Idol's new judging panel of Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, Keith Urban and Randy Jackson critiqued wannabe singers together for the first time Sunday in New York City, and according to Carey, the foursome is already getting along famously — at least for now.

"It's been two days. A feud takes a little longer than two days!" Carey told Us Weekly during an Idol press conference of her initial interaction with her fellow judges, namely "Starships" rapper Minaj, 29.

Related: PHOTOS: Reality TV bombshells

Agreed Minaj: "[We're] getting along wonderfully, darling."

Us Weekly was first to break news of Minaj's Idol appointment in August, one month before FOX made her casting official, along with country singer Urban, 44. Carey signed on the dotted line earlier this summer, netting a reported $18 million payday in the wake of Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler's Idol departures after season 11.

Related: PHOTOS: American Idol judges, then and now

When Idol premieres in January, Carey — admittedly not a huge fan of reality talent shows — looks forward to nurturing new singers and making music history. "I've never been a fan of this type of thing, I'm just being completely honest, but I realize what this show has done for such talented artists and truly given them careers," says the Grammy winner. "I really felt like this was something that would help bring out new talent and I wanted to be a part of that. It's historical."

Related: PHOTOS: See how Idol contestants have changed over the years

Going into season 11, Jackson — who has long sparred publicly with The Voice's Adam Levine about the merits of both competition shows — isn't worried about being compared to NBC's program this time around. (On Monday, Us Weekly reported that before Carey and Minaj inked their Idol deals, both considered taking seats on The Voice's panel.)

"If you look at me and Ryan [Seacrest], we're still supermodels and Keith's a supermodel and Mariah and Nicki are both supermodels. We've got like a hip-hop superstar, a vocal legend — not just a singer — a legend, and we've got a country legend, so it's already a different kind of a show," mused the judge.

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