Nicki Minaj Curses Out Mariah Carey On American Idol Set [VIDEO]

TMZ is reporting that American Idol judges Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey got into a heated argument while on the set in Charlotte, North Carolina. Reports indicate that during the auditions Nicki Minaj told Mariah Carey, "I'm gonna knock you out."

In the footage, obtained by TMZ, Nicki is clearly furious ... shouting, "I told them, I'm not f*ckin' putting up with her f*ckin' highness over there." Unfortunately, when Nicki threatened to knock out Mariah---the cameras were not rolling.

According to MouthEars, producers of Idol cancelled auditions for the rest of the day so that the two divas could calm down and get re-focused on the task at hand. All indications say that the heated confrontation between the two judges was a direct result of the two disagreeing on a contestants performance.

With ratings for American Idol being at an all-time low, I can help but question these "confrontations." Are they scripted out to regain interest in the show, and if so...isn't this a little WWE-like?? In any case, this sure has sparked a new interest in the upcoming American Idol season. Can these two divas last the whole season on FOX??