Mariah Carey on American Idol: ‘like going to work every day in hell with Satan.’

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Mariah Carey was on American Idol for one season last year, for which she was reportedly paid $18 million dollars. If someone would pay me just six figures to do that job, I would think I hit the jackpot. But for Mariah, getting paid eight figures to sit on her ass and judge singers was the most horrible, awful thing ever. In a new interview with NY radio station Hot 97, Mariah said she “hated” Idol, and said “it was like going to work every day in hell with Satan.” Obviously she was talking about Nicki Minaj, with whom she had a longstanding feud, but she didn’t deign to speak Nicki’s name. Here’s US Magazine’s report, and you can see the video they’re basing this on below.

Mariah Carey could not be happier to put American Idol behind her. The “Art of Letting Go” singer — who served one season as a judge on the Fox musical competition, alongside Nicki Minaj, Randy Jackson, and Keith Urban — had some choice words about the show during an interview with Hot 97’s Angie Martinez on Tuesday, Nov. 12.

“Honestly, I hated it,” she confessed. “Here’s what it was. I was the first person who signed on…I thought it was going to be a three-person panel. They gave me a nice…monetary moment, and I was just like, ‘Okay, Randy Jackson will be there; I’ve known him forever. He used to play bass for me. Like, this isn’t a big deal. This will be nothing.'”

“But it wasn’t that,” she continued. “It was like going to work every day in hell with Satan.”

Carey didn’t specify which of her fellow judges might be the devil, but it’s no secret that she clashed with Minaj throughout the season. The two got into several very heated debates during the audition process and occasionally took their feud online. In May, the “Roman Holiday” rapper bashed the Grammy-winning singer as “insecure” and “bitter” on Twitter.

There was one bright spot in Carey’s Idol experience, though. “You know what I loved? I loved the contestants,” she told Martinez. “And some of them that were so good — and also really good people, you could tell — it was disappointing when [the judges] would, for political reasons, not put people through.”

[From Us Magazine]

To be fair to Mariah, after she said that about “going to work in hell” she added “no, just playing. It didn’t affect me that much, I was just disappointed.” As for how she talked about certain contestants not getting through for political reasons – she just kind of trashed her former employer there didn’t she? Or is she talking about the public voting process? I do think she’s saying that the show is staged somewhat, which we know, but again she got paid more than top actors and actresses get for blockbuster movies. She’s ridiculous.

My mom watched Idol the season that Mariah was on and she said that Mariah was “stiff” at first, but that she warmed up and was decent with the contestants as the season progressed. I saw a couple episodes and I was struck by what an ass Nicki Minaj was. Mariah seemed aloof to me, as usual. I can see how Nicki Minaj would be annoying, but when that much money is involved, suck it up. Mariah did that when she was doing the gig, but her throbbing ego couldn’t keep it in check forever.

Here’s the video of Mariah saying this. Notice at about :25 in when she kind of glosses over her huge paycheck. “They gave me a nice dangling monetary moment.” To Mariah, 18 million dollars is a “moment.”

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photo credit: WENN.com and FameFlynet

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44 Responses to “Mariah Carey on American Idol: ‘like going to work every day in hell with Satan.’”

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  1. brin says:

    Feel the BURN!

    • Kosmos says:

      Yessss, she is a princess, but I, too, LOVE her. Her voice is amazing, and I saw her on Idol each week and she was nothing less than kind and sweet while Evil Nicki was a horrible, scathing, spoiled Brat big time. Nicki should have been kicked off the show. Her comments to contestants were inappropriate and she had a few temper tamtrums as well. Just not a good choice for the show. Mariah always displayed good manners and professionalism.

  2. nico says:

    I would like to go to hell with Satan everyday for that money.

  3. Kiddo says:

    She is such a drama queen.

    • blue marie says:

      Most definitely. I was reading some posts on Lainey yesterday and while I rarely agree with her on much, I completely agree with her take on the interview. She’s just annoyed the whole show didn’t revolve around her, and that Nicki refused to kiss her butt.

      • Kiddo says:

        I just think she is a drama queen, in general. Everything with her is so over the top and histrionic. She’s a great singer, but I feel sorry for her husband. He must have the patience of a saint.

  4. NeNe says:

    Personally, I would take Nickii Minaj anyday, and I can’t stand her either. Screw Mariah!

  5. Cherry says:

    Oh, BOO-HOO. They gave her $18mil and she thought: ‘Like, this isn’t a big deal. This will be nothing.’?? And it turned out that in fact, it WAS a big deal and it WASN’T nothing? She actually had to work hard for that money? Oh, poor, poor Mariah.

  6. lucy2 says:

    I was already to yell at her for complaining while being paid that much, but…it sucks to have to go to work every day in an environment you are not comfortable in, especially if there’s another person you are having problems with. It sounds like she was very unhappy there, so she moved on.
    That being said, I’d put up with a lot for that kind of money!

    • RosettaStoned says:

      Yeah and I think her primary concern from the outset was being comfortable in the job. The way she says “this will be nothing” almost sounds as if she was talking herself down from anxiety. Knowing that she had something of a nervous breakdown years ago, that’s how I interpreted it. Like she wasn’t saying “oh big deal, I’m so jaded about money, this is a nothing job that will be easy” but more along the lines of “okay Mariah, you can do this, you know one of the guys, there’s no need to be so anxious…plus look how much they’re paying you. Suck up the anxiety and get to work.”

      • Danskins says:

        Agreed. I think she wanted to do a really good job on the show despite her reported insecurities and that it wasn’t all about just the money with her. She did her job and was professional throughout the show. Plus having to deal with Nicki Minaj’s antics must’ve been no picnic for her. As far as I’m concerned, I think she earned that money.

  7. nico says:

    What was the story behind her breakdown a few years ago? Drugs?

    Mariah does seem to have accidents quite often. I’ve often wondered if she drinks too much.

    • gg says:

      I thought it was because she broke up with her longtime boyfriend and was reeling from that?

    • Apsutter says:

      I think a lot of her breakdown was about never dealing with the ending of her marriage and subsequent bad relationships. Plus she had also been working non-stop for a decade and remember how she signed that ludicrously huge record deal with Virgin(?) right before going off the rails? I’m betting that she had a shit ton of pressure at that time too and just cracked.

  8. Esmom says:

    Why does she feel the need to play down the money — “a nice monetary moment.” WTF? How about saying “I got paid a boatload of cash and I’m grateful for the opportunity, as stressful as it was at times.” Sheesh. She is ridiculous.

  9. Hakura says:

    Re: “Like going to hell with Satan” – I didn’t realize PMKris was on the show!

    • Danskins says:

      Ha! 😀 If PMK ever shows up to judge on there, the show will have officially jumped the shark and hell frozen over!

  10. Kcaia says:

    I was expecting her to say it more diva like, but it came across to me like she admits that she pretty much signed on because they paid her a ton, but it turned into a really bad experience, but she’s Mariah and she could easily turn down 18 mil, or could have waited to sign until she knew more or had more control over the situation, but the producers wanted this drama, and she had to fulfill her contract. I can feel that, because you should neveput a price tag on your stress and well being, if you can afford to do so, and she can.

  11. eliza says:

    I see nothing wrong with what she said, but I don’t dislike Mariah like a lot of people do. I respect her talent and her accomishments in her career. Her diva act amuses me.

    • Danskins says:

      Yeah – even though I liked music, I used to dislike her over-the-top persona but now she’s chilled out a bit and seems pretty harmless and amusing.

  12. dcypher1 says:

    I can’t stand either but if I had to side with one I would pick Mariah over nicki cus nicki was trying to start sum cr@p with her. It was so obvious those to hated each other. Since they were getting paid so well they could at least pretend to be professional and cordial to each other at least while the cameras were rolling. But turned off they could still bicker at each other all they want. They don’t have to be friends just tv friends.

  13. ldub says:

    me though: sings “a ‘moment’ like this” while cashing the check.

  14. neelyo says:

    That Kabuki contouring job on her make-up is a preview of things to come up. She’s never going to stop trying to recapture her look from 1997.

  15. Hannah says:

    If you earn 18 million dollars, you have no right to complain about your job. Unless your employer is infringing on your constitutional rights, you shut the f up about it. 18 million dollars. For christ’s sake.

    • Danskins says:

      Oh for the love. Everyone is allowed to complain about their jobs from time to time. Other entertainers do it all the time without getting called out for it every single time. Can she not blow off a little steam?

  16. Dyllish says:

    I know some people will say the fact that she was paid a boatload of cash doesnt mean she should be uncomfortable but I’ll just like to say it is very easy to ignore that kind of drama especially in a situation like Idol, all she has to do is ignore whatever trouble Nicki is trying to create & not engage her. I go to school & like every other person, I encounter some “mean girls” but I dont pay attention to them, I receive my lectures & get d he!! out with my friends as soon as it is over so I’m pretty sure Mariah could have done the same.. BTW, I kinda hope Nicki responds to this just for more drama cos its gonna be good.

  17. Nicolette says:

    “It was disappointing when they would for political reasons, not put people through.” Hmmmm, interesting comment Mariah, do tell!

    She was frosty in the beginning, but I did wind up liking her as a judge. Yes, she would ramble on a bit at times, but she seemed sincere. Then again for 18 million, she should seem sincere!

    • Apsutter says:

      Yea this makes me think that she isn’t just talking about Minaj here. I’m wondering if the entire AI environment is toxic now

      • Kiddo says:

        I think it’s probably the same as it ever was, in that people before claimed the show was somewhat rigged.

      • yolo112 says:

        Your comment makes a LOT of sense considering how bad the show has done and the re-vamp they have attempted this year to get ratings up. Personlly, from what little I watched of this one with Mariah and Nicki, I thought Mariah looked totally detatched, bored and/or high. She often times made very little sense, rambled but seemed sincere (I still can’t believe she glitter bombed someone). Nicki wasn’t all cookie cutter and said some really funny, messed up stuff. She’s a little out there but was entertaining..lol.. but for $18M…Mariah needs to sit down and shut up. No one else was knocking at her door with that kinda cash..

  18. Quinn Parker says:

    God, what an egocentric idiot. Go choke on some Spanx.

  19. Azurea says:

    Poor Mariah. I actually found Nicki very entertaining & the best judge I’ve seen on the show. I kept watching just to see her! Mariah was a bore — sorry, Mariah! — but clearly, not being the only female judge miffed her. Such an attention pig!

  20. Nev says:

    hahahahaha DIVA!!!!

  21. Grant says:

    Rivalry or not, I think that Mariah and Nicki were actually pretty good judges. Mariah offered a nice insight from a purely vocal perspective. Nicki actually provided fleshed-out constructive criticism, beyond just OH YOU WERE GREAT (like they give on the Voice). I think that both ladies were interested in the success of the contestants.

  22. “A nice dangling monetary moment.” Huh? Man, she is not bright. Also, WTF is she wearing? And those gloves! Ugh. Mariah, you are wealthy. Deal with your hair, get some nice clothes and shut your pie hole because you come off sounding like a spoiled entitled bitch who has no clue what the rest of the world is going through.

  23. jferber says:

    I can never hate on Mariah. I’ve always loved her and think she is a highly talented, ditzy diva who means well. I don’t think she has a mean bone in her body and despite her vast wealth, I don’t see her as calculating, manipulative or cold, like so many in the entertainment business. I’m glad she has Nick Cannon, since if I were in the entertainment industry, I’d want him as my husband, too. She seems very honest, too. She’s a throwback to when stars had real personality. I am amused by her antics. Long live the queen!

  24. MegG says:

    Give me a break! She shouldve triedworking for my ex supervisor who was a real bully. And if anyone complained, they got fired. And I certaintly didn’t get paid millions to make it worth it.

  25. sabine says:

    Nicki had some priceless moments but i felt she acted very rude toward Mariah, who is an icon at this point and Nicki just a gimmick who will fade away soon enough……the butt implants, the strange behavior…..it was sorta fun to watch but kinda like a trainwreck.
    Keith Urban was boring (but i love him anyway)…..Mariah has that voice…..i noticed Nicki didn’t perform on Idol but Mariah did and she was sensational…..i think Nicki felt jelous.