Nicki Minaj Slams Steven Tyler's "Cornfield" American Idol Comments As "Racist"

Nicki Minaj Slams Steven Tyler's "Cornfield" American Idol Comments As "Racist"

He may be starting to look like a jacket potato in a wig, but Aerosmith man and former American Idol judge Steven Tyler still has can still get edgy when it comes his thoughts – though this time he might well have crossed the line.

Tyler was giving a forthright account of the judges who have replaced him and Jennifer Lopez on the show, Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey, when he dropped what can at best be described as a clanger and, at worst, racist. Tyler was talking about giving opinions as a judge, and commented: “It wasn't hard for me, but I would imagine it's hard for some people, and they need a manager to say 'Shut the f*** up, and just give them your opinion.’ These kids, they just got out of a car from the Midwest somewhere and they're in New York City, they're scared to death; you're not going to get the best [out of them]” Forthright there, but nothing too wrong. This bit was though: “If it was Bob Dylan, Nicki Minaj would have had him sent to the cornfield! Whereas, if it was Bob Dylan with us, we would have brought the best of him out, as we did with Phillip Phillips. Just saying."

Trinidian-born American Nicki Minaj was non-too impressed by Tyler’s use of the word “cornfield”, and duly took to Twitter to complain. "Steven Tyler said I would have sent Bob Dylan to a cornfield??? Steven, you haven’t seen me judge one single solitary contestant yet!” She hit back, continuing “I understand you really wanted to keep your job but take that up with the producers. I haven’t done anything to you. That’s a racist comment." Also taking offence at the suggestion that a black rapper wouldn’t like Bob Dylan, Minaj went on to rage "When Steven 1st went on Idol he was ridiculed by his peers & fans alike. Called a sell out. So what does he do? Ridicule the next judge." She might have a point.