Urban relishes peacemaker role on 'Idol'

The Associated Press, Wednesday, October 3, 2012, 6:49pm (PDT)

NEW YORK (AP) -- American Idol" season 12 tapings are just getting under way and Keith Urban has already become more than just a judge: he's also the pacifier on the newly-minted panel.

The country crooner likened his role on "Idol" to that of the United Nations Wednesday on the red carpet at the New York Film Festival gala honoring his wife, Nicole Kidman.

Rumors of drama between fellow judges Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey have been swirling for weeks. A blurry web video released Tuesday by TMZ.com shows what appears to be an argument between Minaj and Carey.

Urban said the judges are all simply "passionate people," but insisted the group, which includes veteran judge Randy Jackson, is "getting along."

Season 12 premieres in January.

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