Nicki Minaj `threatens to shoot` Mariah Carey in foul-mouth feud

London: American Idol judges Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey got into a heated argument during Tuesday’s auditions in Charlotte, North Carolina, and it went as far as the 29-year-old singer threatening to kill the R and B queen.

A production source told TMZ.com that Minaj, said: “If I had a gun, I would shoot her.” The comment was not captured on video that has surfaced of the two feuding and is thought to have been said outside of the 42-year-old’s earshot. However, show boss Nigel Lythgoe dismissed the claims, saying: “The statement [that Nicki made a death threat] is absolute rubbish. It’s absolutely not true in any way, shape or form.” Lythgoe said that Carey confronted the ‘Superbass’ hitmaker to ask if she made the death threat, but Minaj denied making the comment. He suggested Carey’s team told her to stir up trouble. Production was shut down for the day after the argument, during which Minaj called her a “b***h.” She also labelled the ‘Hero’ singer her “f*****g highness.” Their fellow panellists Keith Urban and Randy Jackson were caught in the middle of the row. “[Nicki said to Mariah] ‘I’m gonna knock you out’ - although this was not caught on tape,” a source also told the website. In the leaked video, Minaj can be heard saying: “I told them I’m not f*****g putting up with her f*****g highness over there [Referring to Mariah]. Figure it the f*** out. Figure it out.” Mariah can also be heard answering back in the video - but it is difficult to make out exactly what she is saying. The row is said to have started due to a disagreement over a contestant`s performance. ANI