Keith Urban says Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey got “a bit hoodwinked” when agreeing to appear as judges on American Idol‘s 12th season back in 2013. While Keith got along fine with both Nicki and Mariah at the judges’ table, the relationship between the two divas was reportedly full of tension and hostility.
Keith tells Australian radio show Fitzy and Wippa, “I think there was a sort of concerted effort to make this incredibly fricticious environment, to make the show something it was never intended to be. I really felt for both of them.”
While American Idol is a reality show, Keith adds he didn’t like seeing the drama between Nicki and Mariah become the focus of season 12.
“Idol is not that kind of show,” Keith says. “I think that Jersey Shore type of mentality wasn’t a good way to go.”
Of course, Keith just completed a successful second season on American Idol with judges Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick, Jr. He’s now on tour in Australia through June 29.
Follow @ABCNewsRadio
Copyright 2014 ABC News Radio