Mariah Carey hired extra security after Nicki Minaj allegedly threatened to shoot her.
The new American Idol judges had an explosive argument on the set of the talent show on Tuesday and the Hero diva is worried about the ‘unpredictable’ rapper’s next move.
Mariah, 42, contacted chat show host Barbara Walters, who read out a statement on The View which revealed several staff members had heard Nicki quip: ‘If I had a gun I would shoot the b***h.’
Barbara explained: ‘She said she is very concerned, she’s with her twins, she doesn’t feel that anything would happen, but Nicki is unpredictable and Mariah says she can’t take a chance and has hired extra security.
‘Nicki has not apologised, but they were together in meetings… during which Nicki said, “I love you, but we might fight again!”
‘Mariah said at this point she doesn’t feel comfortable emotionally but she will continue with the show because she loves mentoring the contestants.’
However producer Nigel Lythgoe has previously claimed he believes the comment was made up by Mariah’s team to cause drama.
Regardless, it was enough to make Nicki, 29, lash out in a furious Twitter rant which appeared to reopen the row.
Nicki wrote: ‘I don’t call tmz n Barbara Walters cuz I stand on my own two feet. Never needed an army. God is good. Insecurity is as cruel as the grave.’
The feisty star then insinuated that Mariah was creating ‘lies’ out of jealousy, after producers had praised her spot on the show.
Meanwhile, Mariah has steered clear of the comments and of the micro-blogging site.
However their fellow judge Keith Urban, who sits on the panel alongside the two ladies and Randy Jackson, did weigh in on the feud.
On Wednesday he told Extra he felt like ‘the UN’ and added: ‘I love it, I gotta say. I love working with passionate people. I love artists. Everyone just sort of expressing themselves. It’s a very alive and very invigorating work environment.’