Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey Beef: American Idol Profanity And Threats In New Footage [Video]

Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj kick off the new season of with a whole lot of beef. Carey explained why she beefed up security last October following the verbal altercation she had with rapper Nicki Minaj, which went viral. The singer opened up to Barabra Walters in an interview on "Nightline" and explained how the American Idol environment had changed every time Minaj was around.

"I just felt it was the appropriate thing to do. Sitting there on the road with two babies, I'm not going to take any chances. Anytime anybody's reeling threats at somebody, you know, it's not appropriate. I'm a professional. I'm not used to that type of environment."

 The "Hero" singer apparently increased her security after she was told that Nicki made violent saying, "If I had a gun, I would shoot that b****," which the rapper completely denies. Standing behind Minaj, American Idol producer, Nigel Lythgoe told TMZ, "The statement [that Nicki made a death threat] is absolute rubbish. It's absolutely not true in any way, shape or form."

In a footage recently released while on set, you can see Minaj walking on set behind Carey making choking gesture at her. When Carey turns around, the rapper quickly pulls down her hands and walks back to her seat with a smile. In an interview with Ellen Degeneres, the singer begs the audience to understand that she loves and respects Carey and is not crazy, but admits things did get heated at the moment.