Close

Wonderwall

Nicki Minaj worries 'American Idol' will make her 'too famous'

Related: Nicki Minaj

Photo: JE1/WENN

1 of 11

Next
Photo: Demis Maryannakis/PacificCoastNews.com

2 of 11

Prev Next
Photo: Ivan Nikolov/WENN

3 of 11

Prev Next
Photo: Adriana M. Barraza/WENN

4 of 11

Prev Next
Photo: Sakura/WENN

5 of 11

Prev Next
Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage

6 of 11

Prev Next
Photo: Matt Sayles/AP

7 of 11

Prev Next
Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage

8 of 11

Prev Next
Photo: Sara Jaye Weiss/StarTraks

9 of 11

Prev Next
Photo: Michael Becker/AP

10 of 11

Prev Next
More Celeb News

Director Costa-Gavras: European Cinema Could Not Survive Without State Protection
MSNEntertainment 6/18/2013 4:39:13 PM
HBO Passes on Darren Aronofsky Pilot 'Hobgoblin,' FX Eyes Project (Exclusive)
MSNEntertainment 6/18/2013 4:34:40 PM
Journalist Michael Hastings Dead at 33
MSNEntertainment 6/18/2013 4:21:05 PM
Paul Feig Developing Female James Bond Comedy 'Susan Cooper'
MSNEntertainment 6/18/2013 4:06:06 PM
Reed Elsevier Sues Jay Penske's Variety, Claims $1.3 Million Owed
MSNEntertainment 6/18/2013 3:18:15 PM
Prev

USMagazine, Thursday, January 3, 2013, 12:20pm (PST)

Nicki Minaj may be the most famous female in hip-hop, but she's about to attract an entirely new audience when "American Idol" launches its 12th season premiere Jan. 16 on FOX.
PHOTOS: Nicki Minaj's craziest hairstyles
Before she officially joined the talent competition, however, the 30-year-old rapper had a number of reservations. "I had a lot of talks with people -- my family, my best friends, my label, Lil Wayne, management and then the producers," Minaj tells The Hollywood Reporter in its Jan. 11 issue.
PHOTOS: Amazing Idol makeovers
Noting that there is often "a judgmental culture in hip-hop," Minaj explains, "Sometimes you are afraid of being too famous because it's almost, like, is that even cool? Being that accessible, someone you see on TV every week? I never pictured myself as that type of person. I'm still surprised that I decided to do it."
PHOTOS: 'American Idol' judges, then and now
The "Va Va Voom" rapper decided to join new judges Mariah Carey and Keith Urban (and veteran judge Randy Jackson) after talking to Mike Darnell, FOX's president of alternative entertainment.
"He was so lovable and made me feel so comfortable and confident," Minaj recalls. "He kept saying, 'I promise we're going to protect you; you're going to love it, we're a big family.'"
VIDEO: Would you rock a "backwards mullet" like Nicki Minaj?
Minaj flat-out refuses to discuss her much-publicized spat with Carey during the fall auditions. The "Obsessed" singer, meanwhile, offers a diplomatic explanation. "Sometimes things get heated for their own reasons," Carey tells The Hollywood Reporter. "I don't think the panel has an issue."
MORE FROM WONDERWALL:
Stars who changed their names
See Nicki on New Year's Eve
Is Nicki's look a fashion disaster?

Get out the vote

button.LOL
button.AWW
button.OMG
button.FAIL

Follow

Wonderwall Video

Celebs Gone Social for June 17, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for June 14, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for June 12, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for June 10, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for June 7, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for June 5, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for June 3, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for May 31, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for May 29, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for May 24, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for May 22, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for May 20, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for May 17, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for May 15, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for May 13, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for May 10, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for May 8, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for May 6, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for May 3, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for May 1, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for April 29, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for April 26, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for April 24, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for April 22, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for April 19, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for April 17, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for April 15, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for April 12, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for April 10, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for April 8, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for April 5, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for April 3, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for April 1, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for March 29, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for March 27, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for March 25, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for March 22, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for March 20, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for March 18, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for March 15, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for March 13, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for March 11, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for March 8, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for March 6, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for March 4, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for March 1, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for Feb. 27, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for Feb. 25, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for Feb. 22, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for Feb. 20, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for Feb. 15, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for Feb. 13, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for Feb. 11, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for Feb. 8, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for Feb. 6, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for Feb. 4, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for Feb. 1, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for Jan. 30, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for Jan. 28, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for Jan. 25, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for Jan. 23, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for Jan. 18, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for Jan. 21, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for Jan. 16, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for Jan. 14, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for Jan. 11, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for Jan. 9, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for Jan. 7, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for Jan. 4, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for Jan. 2, 2013
Celebs Gone Social for Dec. 28, 2012
Celebs Gone Social for Dec. 26, 2012
Celebs Gone Social for Dec. 21, 2012
Celebs Gone Social for Dec. 19, 2012
Celebs Gone Social for Dec. 17, 2012
CGS: Best TMI Tweets of 2012
CGS: Best Bikini TwitPics of 2012
Celebs Gone Social for Dec. 14, 2012
Celebs Gone Social for Dec. 12, 2012
Celebs Gone Social for Dec. 10, 2012
Celebs Gone Social for Dec. 7, 2012
Celebs Gone Social for Dec. 5, 2012
Celebs Gone Social for Dec. 3, 2012
Celebs Gone Social for Nov. 30, 2012
Celebs Gone Social for Nov. 28, 2012
Celebs Gone Social for Nov. 26, 2012
Celebs Gone Social for Nov. 21, 2012
Celebs Gone Social for Nov. 19, 2012
Celebs Gone Social for Nov. 16, 2012
Celebs Gone Social for Nov. 14, 2012
Celebs Gone Social for Nov. 12, 2012
Celebs Gone Social for Nov. 9, 2012
Celebs Gone Social for Nov. 7, 2012
Celebs Gone Social for Nov. 5, 2012
Celebs Gone Social for Nov. 2, 2012
Celebs Gone Social for Oct. 31, 2012
Celebs Gone Social for Oct. 29, 2012
Celebs Gone Social for Oct. 26, 2012
Celebs Gone Social for Oct. 24, 2012
Celebs Gone Social for Oct. 22, 2012
Celebs Gone Social for Oct. 19, 2012
Celebs Gone Social for Oct. 17, 2012
Celebs Gone Social for Oct. 15, 2012
Celebs Gone Social for Oct. 12, 2012
Celebs Gone Social for Oct. 10, 2012
Celebs Gone Social for Oct. 8, 2012
Celebs Gone Social for Oct. 5, 2012
Celebs Gone Social for Oct. 1, 2012

Celebs Gone Social for June 5, 2013

Jessica Simpson shows off her "loves" and gets silly on today's Celebs Gone Social hosted by Wonderwall Editor Chris Gardner.

Most Watched on Wonderwall

Sock Sisters
Rob Kardashian drafts two of his siblings to model socks on today's Celebs Gone Social.
Watch Video »

Show Comments

When using Facebook Connect your image and name may display on Wonderwall. All Privacy Settings are controlled by Facebook

aa

.g-a #bd { position:relative; width:984px; margin:0 auto; } #wall.notInited .brick{ visibility:visible; float:left; position:relative; width:246px; height:246px; overflow:hidden; } #wall .brick .bc { height:auto; width:236px; } #wall.notInited .brickType-empty { display:none; } #wall.notInited .brickType-content { visibility:visible; float:none; position:static } .everything { display:none; } .notInited .gallery .bd .galleryItems li.selected, .notInited .story .inline-gallery .bd .galleryItems li.selected { visibility:visible; } .story .inline-gallery .bd .galleryItems li .photoWrap .creditCount .count { visibility:hidden; } .comments a.button { display:none; } .vote { display:none; } .moreShare { display:none; } .gallery .bd a.navArrow { display:block; } #wall.notInited .brick-3x4, #wall.notInited .brick-3x4 b { width:369px; height:492px; } #wall .brick { left:0px; position:relative; } #wall .brick img.noscript { opacity:1; }