Despite a seemingly tumultuous week of production on "American Idol," thanks to the highly publicized spat between Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey, producers say the stormy skies have cleared and that production is back on schedule.
According to a statement sent by "Idol" producers to MTV News late Friday (October 5), the incident was blown widely out of proportion and all is back to normal on set for audition rounds in Louisiana.
"This is one of the best, most passionate, dynamic and invested judging panels we've ever had. We love and support all of the judges and the fantastic work they are doing, and we can't imagine a better group to find the next American Idol," reads the statement. "Despite all the accusations and media speculation — much of which is inaccurate — production is going extremely well today and the judges are focused on finding the best talent here in Baton Rouge."
Since video of an argument between Minaj and Carey leaked online earlier this week, fans and media outlets alike have speculated whether the fight might have been staged and how it would affect the future of the show. Thanks to the comments from the producers, we now know that the show will go on, even if we'll never fully know the nature of the dispute between the two female judges.
Only time will tell if the dust has truly settled, since both women seemed to still be bothered by the incident in their varied public reactions following the fight. Carey called Minaj "unpredictable" and admitted that she hired more security during an interview with Barbara Walters on Thursday, while Minaj reacted to Carey's comments with a long-winded rant about her own "struggles" on Twitter.
"Lol @ the struggle. Not even the producers believed u. Say no to violence barbz. #struggle face," Minaj tweeted. "I don't call tmz n Barbara Walters cuz I stand on my own two feet. Never needed an army. God is good. Insecurity is as cruel as the grave."