(Offensive language in paragraph 6)
NEW YORK, Jan 7 (Reuters) - Pop diva Mariah Carey said she
hired increased security following what she described as threats
reportedly made against her by fellow 'American Idol' judge
Nicki Minaj, according to an interview on ABC News.
Carey, 42, one of three new judges to join the "American
Idol" panel for the hit talent show's new season on Jan. 16,
told Barbara Walters in an interview airing on Monday, "it felt
like an unsafe work environment."
"Anytime anybody's reeling threats at somebody, you know,
it's not appropriate," Carey said.
"I'm a professional. I'm not used to that type of
environment," she said, adding that she hired extra security.
The diva was alluding to widely reported tension between her
and Minaj, who were seen arguing with one another in a video
from the show's audition phase.
Walters has reported that, according to Carey, others on the
"Idol" set heard Minaj go further and say, off-camera, "If I had
a gun, I would shoot that bitch."
Minaj, a Trinidadian-born singer and songwriter, previously
denied making any remarks about firearms, but Carey told Walters
that beefing up her security "was the appropriate thing to do."
"Sitting there on the road with two babies, I'm not going to
take any chances," she said, referring to her 20-month old twins
with husband Nick Cannon.
But in a sign of media savvy, she noted that "for all the
drama, I hope it helps the show."
Walters also asked Carey about reports she is being paid $18
million for each "Idol" season.
"I think we're in the ballpark, (but) I can't even talk
about those things," the singer replied.
(Reporting by Chris Michaud; Editing by Piya Sinha-Roy and Paul
Simao)