Simon Cowell (Splash News)
TAKE THAT: Nicki Minaj takes center square in the first sneak peek at the reformatted “Idol.” A new ad slogan slams rival Simon Cowell’s ‘X Factor’ (inset). (
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‘American Idol” isn’t wasting any time — pushing controversial new judge Nicki Minaj as the face of its upcoming season and taking a swipe at rival Simon Cowell.
A 30-second promo offering the first video sneak peek at the reformatted show features a collage of Minaj-on-“Idol” clips — including one of her saying to a contestant, “You excite me”; another clip of her snapping her fingers in sync to a contestant’s song; and another clip in which she flatly says “no” when a contestant asks if she likes his song.
“Honest,” says a graphic referring to Minaj. “She’s bringing it all . . . To ‘American Idol.’ Brace Yourself.”
The second new “Idol” promo features clips of all the judges (and host Ryan Seacrest) with the the new slogan: “Others dream. ‘Idol’ delivers” — a thinly veiled slap at former “Idol” judge Simon Cowell’s show, “The X Factor,” which often likes to talk about its ability to help contestants “follow their dreams.”
What you don’t see in the Minaj-centric promo are any shots of her and fellow judge Mariah Carey, who joined the show this season along with Keith Urban (Randy Jackson returns as the fourth judge).
Presumably other teases are on the way featuring Urban and Carey.
Minaj and Carey have reportedly been a combustible duo early on; word leaked from the set that Minaj allegedly threatened to shoot Carey during an “Idol” audition in North Carolina.
Carey then said she was beefing up her security detail because she feared for her safety.
But things seemed to have calmed down since then.
Seacrest tried fueling the fire yesterday when Minaj called in to his LA radio show, asking her if she would do an “Idol” duet with Carey.
“If she’ll have me, I’ll be there waiting,” Minaj said.
The 12th season of “Idol” kicks off Jan. 16 on Fox with several weeks of audition rounds before settling into the actual competition.