Mariah Carey increased her security when she was threatened by Nicki Minaj on American Idol, Reuters reports. Keen to distance herself from Nicki’s uncivilised behaviour, Mariah has painted herself as the concerned and distinguished party in the whole affair, telling Barbara Waters in an interview “it felt like an unsafe work environment… Anytime anybody's reeling threats at somebody, you know, it's not appropriate… I'm a professional. I'm not used to that type of environment.”

Carey added that she hired extra security when 30 year old Minaj was heard to say “if I had a gun I would shoot that bitch,” referring to 42 year old Carey. Mariah told Waters that increasing her security “was the appropriate thing to do,” after her co-star threatened her, adding that she had her 20 month old twins with her on the road, as well as her husband Nick Cannon. Aware that the whole furore – whilst it may have been scary – could easily be written off as a publicity stunt aimed to increase American Idol’s ratings, Carey added “for all the drama, I hope it helps the show.”

When asked about how much money she was getting paid to be a judge on the TV singing talent contest, the figure of $18 million for the season was bandied about. “I think we’re in the ballpark, I can’t even talk about those things.” 

Watch the video for Mariah Carey's 'Triumphant (Get 'Em)