Nicki Minaj Says She'd Return as a Judge onAmerican Idol— for $30 Million

Mar. 15, 2025

Nicki Minajonly sat in theAmerican Idoljudge’s chair for a year, leaving after a season that was notoriously fraught. But when it comes to returning, she’s showing that everything has a price.

Pondering the question, Minaj, 41, finally settled on a number.

“Well, uh… $30 [million],” she said. “Yeah.”

Judges Mariah Carey and Keith Urban, host Ryan Seacrest and judges Nicki Minaj and Randy Jackson on season 12 of ‘American Idol’.FOX Image Collection via Getty

FOX Image Collection via Getty

Minaj judgedAmerican Idolfor the music competition show’s twelfth season back in 2013, alongsideMariah Carey,Keith UrbanandRandy Jackson.

She and Carey clashed early on during auditions,trading shade left and rightand disagreeing over their varying styles of critique. One particular moment made headlines, with Minaj telling Carey, “Maybe I should just get off the f—ing panel” before walking off the set. Things got so heated that the production had to shut down for a bit.

TMZalso shared leaked video captured later at the same audition of Minaj cursing out Carey. Insiders told PEOPLE at the time that Carey hired extra security in the wake of the incident because Minaj had threatened her life, but Minaj long denied she said anything of the short.

“This is one of the best, most passionate, dynamic and invested judging panels we’ve ever had," a rep fromIdolsaid in a statement at the time to PEOPLE. “We love and support all of the judges and the fantastic work they are doing, and we can’t imagine a better group to find the nextAmerican Idol.”

Nicki Minaj; Mariah Carey.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic; Steve Granitz/WireImage

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic; Steve Granitz/WireImage

Carey, since then, has said that judging with Minaj was like “going to work every day in hell with Satan.” But Minaj has taken the high road, tellingEllen DeGenereson the show that she “wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

“It was a great learning experience, honestly,” she said.

American Idol— which has moved from Fox to ABC now — currently starsKaty Perry,Lionel RichieandLuke Bryanas judges. And while it doesn’t seem like she’ll be going back anytime soon, Minaj is staying plenty busy.

This month, she released her highly anticipated albumPink Friday 2. The Queen of Rap has also shared that she’s setting out on tour across the globe in 2024 on the Nicki Minaj Presents:Pink Friday 2World Tour.

Nicki Minaj.Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage

Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage

Minaj will begin her run of live shows with the North American leg in the spring. The outing kicks off on March 1 in Oakland, California and will stop at major arenas in cities like Las Vegas, Atlanta, Philadelphia, New York City, Chicago and more. After 28 dates in North America, including the final show on May 12 in Austin, Texas, the hip-hop superstar will take the tour abroad to the U.K. and Europe through late spring.

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At her upcoming shows, fans can expect her to transform the stage into Gag City — the hot pink, utopian metropolis featured in her new album’s promotional materials — and perform both new hits and classics.

The “Super Bass” artist herselfposted to Instagramto announce her string of live performances and how excited she is to hit the road. “BARBZZZ!!” she wrote in the caption, addressing her legion of devout fans. “It’s time for the #GagCity TOUR. So excited to see you guys!!”

source: people.com