Nicki Minaj late for live Idol show

Nicki Minaj arrived late for the first live American Idol show on Wednesday night.

The Super Bass star blamed her 13-minute delayed entrance on bad traffic, with host Ryan Seacrest and the rest of the judges teasing the rapper about her excuse.

"We are coming to you live and on time. Say hello to three of your four judges who have made it here on time," he told audiences as the show started.

Presenter Ryan then took to Nicki's chair and chatted with judges Randy Jackson, Keith Urban and Mariah Carey.

"So this is where Nicki… I hear she is seven minutes out and there is some congestion on the 405 [Freeway], she should be here momentarily," he said before Randy joked:

"I heard it was the 101 [Freeway]."

The live episode started without Nicki, with Ryan continuing: "Well the show must go on so let's get the party started," while Mariah looked noticeably irritated and shook her head.

Ryan continued to make fun of Nicki's absence, asking her fellow judges: "Which one of you gave Nicki the wrong directions today? Which one of you drained the fuel from her car?"

Nicki arrived 13 minutes later - after missing the first live act - wearing a black hooded top and looking a little sheepish.

The international superstar had taken to Twitter on her way into the show, posting: "Stuck in traffic *sighs*. F**k u Malibu!!!!!!!!!!!! *moves to Beverly Hills* (sic)."

The rest of the judges stayed quiet about the incident on the social networking site, with Mariah simply writing after the end of the first live episode: "great show tonight.. now it's time to vote America! (sic)."