Nigel Lythgoe Sends Photo Evidence That All is Well at American Idol

By On 10/07/2012 · 25 Comments · In American Idol, Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, Nigel Lythgoe

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The American Idol judges round auditions took place in Baton Rouge, Louisiana late last week. There was no press conference with the panel–presumably to avoid questions about the Nicki Minaj/Mariah Carey Feud which has played out very publicly on the internets.

Late Friday night, FOX sent out a statement from the producers claiming that most of what we’ve read in the press about the feud is wrong, and that the Baton Rouge round went off without a hitch!

Further spin was provided by Nigel Lythgoe last night, as he posted a couple of photos of Nicki and Mariah as they posed looking OH SO HAPPYYYY with hopefuls. Thanks Nigel, for photographic proof that no one is dead yet.


I love the fact our judges actually get close to the contestants. @dizzyfeet


Brilliant singers in Baton Rouge. The judges are loving them. @dizzyfeet

 
  • windmills

    Pictures need more Keith Urban tbh. 

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/57KPQ4K7HIGPGR7PDW333QMZJQ Steppen

    Hey Nigel, how about a picture of both Mariah and Nicki together smiling?

  • clearone

    You’re trying too hard Nigel …….. still don’t believe you. 

  • http://twitter.com/sheilag11 sheila g.

    the pics dont say anything…how about a pic of mariah and nicki together ha…

  • fuzzywuzzy

    Exactly! All these pics prove is that both Mariah and Nicki are still alive. Methinks that Nigel would have to photoshop a pic of Mariah and Nicki together and looking happy. lol

  • Larc

    Wonder why Nicki so often has a pucker or other OTT expression when she poses for a picture?  She would look much better with just a normal, relaxed smile, IMO.

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/XDQP2Y46M5B3OHOKALDDGDHQCM Leandro

    I don’t think Nicki is interested in anything related with normality.

  • http://twitter.com/MissGolightly22 No Thanks

    In case you haven’t noticed, Nicki hasn’t exactly made her career off of being “relaxed and normal”.  Look, her schtick has worked for her – VERY WELL.  There’s not point in wishing for anything else from her.

  • abbysee

    I want a photo of them polishing each others nails or braiding hair…..or photos of Nicki babysitting dem babies…….otherwise go away Nigel.

  • clearone

    Oh she can stick with her ‘schtick’…………I just have no interest in it and wish it wasn’t going to be on one of my favourite shows twice a week.

  • elliegrll

    I don’t think that anyone knows what type of judge Nicki will be.  Initially, it looked like Steven Tyler was going to be a good judge, but apparently that was just good editing during the season 10 auditions.

  • julesb2183

    They support and love her – but they supported and loved Paula during the time when they were looking to get rid of her because of all the drama associated with her. 

  • b_james

    Remember how Randy and Keith are on the panel also?  Because I feel like not many people do.

  • http://twitter.com/KatiesUVULA Katie’s Uvula

    THESE PICTURES PROVE NOTHING! Fake smiles all around!

  • fuzzywuzzy

    I’m curious to see what happens if/when Keith and Randy disagree with Mariah or Nicki. To be honest, I don’t expect that Randy will disagree with Mariah about anything. ;)

  • koshka

    Oh no I remember. Keith has my deepest sympathies and, well, Randy just irritates the crap out of me. I could careless if he get caught in the (figurative) cross fire. LOL

  • Klaine

    Whats the point when they pose separately with contestants.  Even by staged Nigel crap, that doesnt prove anything or show anything….Idiots all.  They’re getting worried their cash cow might finally be in jeopardy…It seems its starting to jump the shark…and I dont understand why they felt the need to go back to 4 judges – again copying The Voice and X Factor…4 Judges- esp some big names takes the attention away from the contestants (hopefully theyll find good talent ) and it gets redundant if the 4 judges always agree so hopefully they wont…I could see Nicki being the contrarian – since Randy wont disagree with Mariah probably…I still cant believe they kept Randy – he has nothing to contribute and has been giving the same contents for the last decade dawg as last years contestants parodied on the finale..I dont think the audience would react badly to 2 women and 1 men…I think it would be refreshing – esp for a show that seems desperate to get a female winner and not yet another white guy with guitar…what if idol actually copied xf and got a couple of hip hop contestants and god forbid someone who added raps to his songs AND could sing.  I dont know if there was tons of auto tune but Nicki sounded ok on TURN ME ON with DGuetta.  But of course shes no Mariah – no one is…and Mariah probably learned her name dropping from Mr Randy.

  • Klaine

    I wonder if most of the audience even will know who Keith Urban is…Theyre probably hoping for Nicole Kidman to appear in the first row every now and then.

  • Klaine

    Me also thinks he doth protest too much…(by the way with that whole barbara walters/mariah talk – what a lot of people havent mentioned is that both Barbara and Mariah share the same publicist – Cindy Berger (Sp?)…shes also Rosie’s PR person….That is NO coincidence as Im 100% sure she arranged the ‘phone call’ and was standing next to Mariah while she made it (if youve ever seen her behind the scenes, shes one of those ruthless super aggessive and super vindictive Hollywood types – although I think shes NY based now)…She gets a double win – She puts Mariah in a better limelight and she gives Barbara a semi-exclusive.  Im surprised no one has put 2+2 together…LOOK IT UP

  • Chris

    I doubt anything happens if Keith or Randy disagree on a contestant. I hate to say it, but I think this is just female cattiness. If Keith goes on a bit too long about some crooner, my guess is Nicki and Mariah will just be cool.

  • merkureye

    Don’t know if Nigel realizes how much damage has been done to AI by this Mariah/Nikki spat.  It doesn’t make anticipation for S12 very enjoyable.  I have been an Idol-First kinda fan but I find myself really enjoying XFactor this season.  Demi, Britney, LA, and Simon are on their game and the talent this year definitely rivals if not eclipses AI.  I find Britney and Demi very interesting and love the comfort level both project.  LA and Simon’s insights are spot-on and funny.  The contestant story arcs are building nicely as well. AI’s backstorys last year were horrendous.  Heejun got all the screen time and he sucked as a serious contestant.  Erika went home before Heejun?  Really?  The only explanation for that is incompetant judges and producers.

    AI looks lost this year.  To think that a catfight was going to help ratings reveals just how out of touch the producers of AI are.  I was okay with Mariah but didn’t see the need for Nikki.  But with Nikki on board, I thought Mariah and Nikki would recognize the uplift to their careers and at least be civil for the good of themselves and AI.  Hasn’t happened.  I may be surprised but its not looking good for next season. 

    I’m not holding out much hope for Keith Urban as a judge either.  He is likeable but he is no Brad Paisley or Blake Shelton personality-wise.  We will see. 

    In the meantime, can’t wait for the judges houses episodes on XFactor.  Love Demi Lovato.  Demi rocked Give Your Heart A Break on AI this year before XF even hired her.  She was right under your nose Nigel.

  • blackberryharvest

     

    the talent this year definitely rivals if not eclipses AI.

    Meh, I disagree, I haven’t been blown away by anybody yet this year. The judges also seem to be overeacting to mediocre performances saying “that was amazing!” when it really wasn’t that special.

  • http://twitter.com/KariannHart Kariann Hart

    More of the same.  I don’t want to hear it.

  • violet3

    I love X-Factor too (though the talent isn’t quite the same), and I’m sure a number of people agree with you about Idol, but I think the number of people who are interested for the first time outweighs the number of people who won’t be watching anymore. All the drama hasn’t really affected anything for me because I was excited just to see the new judges, with or without drama. I don’t care for Nikki but at least she will be interesting, and it’s about time Idol has a singer like Mariah for a judge. She’s probably my favorite female singer ever and I’ve only become a fan in the last year.

  • fuzzywuzzy

    I think that your theory has a lot of validity in this case. Cindy tends to take on people who are a “challenge” PR-wise, and she does have a reputation for being one of the best at putting out fires (but, also isn’t adverse to starting some, especially if they are advantageous to her clients). lol