'American Idol' Judges Admit They're A 'Dysfunctional Family'

With one week left before season 12 debuts and after weeks of buzz fueled by their now infamous feud, new "American Idol" judges Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey, along with country star Keith Urban and Randy Jackson, took the stage for a fan-driven Q&A at UCLA's Royce Hall as they answered questions from viewers across the country.

"It's 'American Idol.' This is the biggest show. It changed trends in music. It created massive superstars and people that I think are going to have timeless careers," Mariah Carey said when asked why she decided to join the show, adding that having twins helped her decide to settle down. "I just had two babies and I thought it would be a good thing for me to have something a little more stable instead of constantly working."

For Nicki Minaj, "Idol" was just a natural step in her genre-defying career. "I keeping saying it was something that wasn't expected of me to do, so I always kind of like to do the thing that [people] wouldn't believe I would do," the Young Money MC said. If there were any doubts about taking the gig, she said all was at "peace" after conferring with mentor Lil Wayne, who told her to "absolutely do it."

And with the recent focus of the show being on behind-the-scenes squabbles, Keith Urban made sure to highlight the contestants, saying "I love what this show can do for people that otherwise are trying to find a way in." He continued by saying that the show offered a platform for aspiring singers and performers looking for their big break, which the "show does on steroids."

"This is the Picasso," said sole original judge Randy Jackson. "There may be some that are trying to copy, duplicate but you can't copy the original," taking a swipe at his T.V. competitors. "This is the true O.G."

While none of judges mentioned the bickering between Mariah and Nicki, it came up during the end of the Q&A when Ryan Seacrest asked Keith what was been the most fun part of his entire "Idol" experience.

"It's this dysfunctional family you see before you, I love being a part of. I love the unpredictability of every day on the set," he said.

"What do you mean by that, Keith?" teased Seacrest, prompting Nicki to reply, "Ryan, stop!"

"Keith, he was glad his chair swiveled a couple of times this season," joked Ryan Seacrest.

"It's just fun. The whole thing is fun," said Urban possibly giving a hint as to how he was taking in all the feuding in season 12. Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.