On this past Wednesday night’s episode of American Idol, we were treated to a group performance of “Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch” by Top 8 contestants, Burnell, Devin and Lazaros, which some felt could have been better. Actually, it was a pathetic display given how far into the competition we are at this point. It was enough to give viewers the feeling they were being hurled through time, straight back to Hollywood Week. As it turned out, the viewers were not the only ones who felt that way.
Nicki Minaj, who has become a hot topic of debate among our readers, partly because of her notoriously cutting and off color critiques, let fly yet another sound byte that did nothing to change her reputation for being the most controversial Idol judge since Simon Cowell.
At the end of the performance by the trio, Nicki said she was going to “pretend she didn’t see it and pretend she didn’t hear it” and called out to the three to “Get off the stage!”
Nicki’s critique sparked a feud between her and Devin Velez, who was eliminated the following night after Keiran dimmed the lights and it was revealed that all 3 guys were in the bottom three, with Devin coming in last.
On Friday, Devin Velez spoke to reporters and gave his opinion of the performance, Nicki’s comments and the judge’s decision not to use the “save”, (a one-time option for the judges to override the voter’s decision and keep a well-deserving contestant in the running for the top spot.)
When asked by reporters, “Do you think Nicki overreacted a little and was your performance really that bad?”, Devin responded, “I agree with the first half of her critique, when she said that it felt like Hollywood Week…that she was going to pretend she didn’t hear it.” As far as the “Get off the stage!” remark goes, Devin said, “it’s just like, Whoa, Miss Minaj, I need you to calm down please, we’re still human. We still have feelings.” And he went on to say, “She doesn’t care sometimes, but it’s all good.”
Apparently, it was definitely NOT “all good” for Nicki Minaj who fired off on Twitter saying, “Trust me BEW BEW. If EYE didn’t want u in that TOP, YOU wouldn’t have been in that TOP. Fought for ALL of you. So just simply b gracious.”
Reporters asked if Devin thought Nicki’s harsh remark was partly fueled by Jimmy Iovine’s comment last week that the judges were being too easy on the contestants, Devin said, “I mean, Nicki Minaj, is one of those characters where she has multiple personalities” and “you never know what you’re going to get with Nicki Minaj.”
He added, “…I know I love her as a judge and I love that she’s always truthful.” “But it’s when she gets to the exaggerative speaking, it’s’ just like, Ah, take it easy. You don’t want to hurt some else’s feelings.”
As for Devin’s elimination, Nicki posted, “Send the judges some flowers and a card. If Curtis didn’t get SAVED, NONE of u get saved. Best male voice of the SEASON!
As far as the oft repeated theory that American Idol Season 12 is a girl’s year to win, and that the show’s producers, while probably not actually “rigging” the contest, are certainly steering the outcome in that direction, Devin had this to say. “There’s an explanation for that of course, I’m not America and I don’t know who votes for what.” He went on to say that the group performance is what put the three remaining guy’s in the bottom three. He also said, “I think it was well-deserved.” “I think that it was a great wake-up call.”
As far as the remaining 5 girls’ chances of becoming the next American Idol, Devin said, “The girls’ have power! They’ve been consistent with their performances and their vocals. “Just because none of them have gone home yet, that’s crazy!” But they’re fighting strong.”
Nick later tweeted, “America r the potential fans, U MUST win them over, “Saves” are bullshit and they know it. Those girls are just too good this year.”
She also added, “Lol. Be mad @ America when u get sent home. The judges are the ones who fought for America to get the opp to vote for you memba?”
Devin responded with his own tweet, “That moment when an adult stoops down to the 3rd grade level…LOL grow up Hun, I’ve got songs to write.” Heeding his own advice, he later deleted that tweet.
Devin says that he is looking forward to returning for the American Idol Summer Tour and performing with the same contestants that may or may not have been the reason he was sent home because, he said, “They will not be competing and no one will be sent home.”
Did the guys deserve what they got? Was Nicki too harsh with her remarks to the guys or is she just trying to prepare them for what they’ll face if they plan to enter into the highly competitive music industry?
Nicki seems to be saying the “save” is pointless. Is that because she knows a girl is going to win or she believes one of the girls should win?
Tell us what you think.
Article revised from original version @ 12:20PM 4/2/13.
nicki is a joke.
But she makes us tune in to see what she is going to say or do next….Just like we did with Simon….thats what the producers want. Everyone is talking about Nicki, I guess its working!!!!! LOL
You couldn’t be more wrong Nicki has people tuning out. Thursday and Wednesday’s shows were the lowest rated in history for AI I believe. Folks are running for the exits.
I’m still watching and my main interest is the young talent…..Nicki is just another judge along the way. I like her honestly. She may be blunt but she says what most of us are thinking. Those three guys were awful, personally I wouldn’t have been so blunt but they were awful!!! JMHO
Just the fact that she says what we are all thinking indicates to me that her comments have no more value in furthering a contestants career than any one of the viewers’ would. She usually makes non-specific remarks, unless she’s talking about angie’s or amber’s legs or kree’s boots. Its not difficult to sound informed when in reality you just have the “gift of gab”. Cable news pundits have made careers out of it.
i’m only watching for kree, angie, and candice this season. when nicki speaks we press the mute button!! same with mariah. but i’m loving the voice. no comparison when it comes to talent or comments from the judges. and i decided that adam levine is definitely very easy on the eyes! hope your holidays were wwonderful
Those are my three favorites too. I am over the moon with The Voice this season…I love the talent, the judges and the whole show. Adam Levine is definitely eye candy….Holidays were good, lots of work!!!!! Hope yours were too!!!!
I like the way The Voice handles the auditions. Even the talent that doesn’t make it is worth listening to. It takes away making fun of those hopefuls who just plain can’t sing. Also, the banter between the judges is funny, not mean, and a lot of that has to do with the choice of judges. I’m looking forward to a “Rockin'” evening tonight on Idol.
Me too giselle…..too be honest…..I still love Idol, I have not loved the judges since Randy, Paula and Simon but to me they still have great talent and I love following these kids careers. I don’t like four judges, too many, too much BS. Sometimes I agree with the judges and sometimes I don’t. Its all part of American Idol.
I think the majority of viewers tune in to see the contestants, not Nicki. Most have said they mute or ff through her comments. I tend to believe it as I do the same thing. I will be shocked if she’s on the panel next season. The producers and Nicki are not looking forward to another season of criticism. Publicity is one thing, losing viewers and advertising revenue is quite another.
Nick has no business being a judge. She makes NO sense, and bubbles on and on. Someone PLEASE shut her up!!!
Yesterday there was an article about Randy and his musical background that showed why he was a good choice for being a judge. I didn’t know a lot of that about Randy. I also don’t know much about Nicki’s background. Could you also write about Nicki’s musical career and how she fits into the AI judging? I know Nicki is controversial. Some viewers like her honesty; some dislike her choice of words. One thing: she does keep things interesting even if it can be “over the top.” Someone once made the comment that it’s not so much what you say as how you say it. The other judges don’t really say much that tells how the performance could be better. They say the what–good, great, so-so, not your best, etc. That doesn’t help a person be a better performer. Nicki’s comments are a wake-up call. Idol contestants will hear harsh criticism of their work if they stay in the business, not just praise comments from friends and relatives. However, I don’t like it when the judges have an obvious favorite and can’t be fair because they over-praise, gush, or can’t get over it when the person is voted off. I’m not talking about Devin here.
Nicki shouldn’t be a judge! And she was too harsh!! Devin should have been saved!! Excited for Devin to release an album!! 🙂
I had issues with Simon sometimes but at least he had the credentials to back it up. Nikki is just rude and thinks her opinion is the only one that counts. In my opinion, Devin was the strongest competitor among the guys and the save should have been used. I do not like the fact that it has to be unanimous as it was obvious to anyone who was paying attention that the other three judges would have saved him if they could. Nikki needs to go!
She is completely unprofessional and forgets that this is about the contestants, not HER. “Send the judges some flowers and a card. If Curtis didn’t get SAVED, NONE of u get saved. Best male voice of the SEASON!” I got news for Nikki. America voted Curtis off because we didn’t think his voice was the best. You gave it away with you comments right there.
idol has been upstaged by the VOICE. Shakira, Usher, Adam and Blake are the BOMB judges and the talent is sick!@!!
Totally agree!!!! The Voice is awesome this year and the talent is great!!!!
It isn’t even a fair competition. The voice is so deep in talent and we alot of preliminary shows left. Perhaps 3 more to fill all the 48 slots.
Adam and Blake have been excellent from the 1st episode of season 1, I thought I was going to miss Celo Green. Usher and Shakira are fantastic so far. Can’t wait to see them working with thier artists.
Unfortunately for AI fueding judges and especially the producers decision to hire and then not to fire Minaj is beyond me. Rumour had it during auditions she’d keep people waiting 2 hours as she was almost always late. She shouldn’t have made it to Vegas week. The show may not get renewed and if it does and she is still a judge Fox is throwing thier money away.
You are absolutely right! Amen to that!
You misspelled THEIR twice. It is spelt FEUD not fued…
Tobe , I agree with you. I love, love the voice.The judges are so funny. Especially when Blake and Adam get going. It’s always a fun show.I am not too sure how Usher feels about all of the bantering. Seems like he is getting used to it. And Shakira holds her own with the men just like Christina. Only in a nicer way. Not too sure about the contestants either this year.
The contestants are getting better and I absolutely love that show. There is no one on it that looks or sounds like Nikki M. Thank God.
I despise Nikki Minaj. I record the show and fast forward through whatever she says….so obnoxious!
I am a faithful AI watcher. This season… I’m not watching. I gave it my best go. I couldn’t watch Nicki anymore. She is annoying and I must say… Act your age! They censored more milder stuff from Steven last year. Grow up.
Devin was one of my favorites, but if he got voted off, he got voted off. I certainly sent him votes. With this Nikki feud, he is the one showing maturity and class. Nikki should go get off with her autotune device.
And the fact that she didn’t even went on stage to talk to Devin is “the bullshit” The save is no bullshit! You wanted to use it when Curtis left Nicki! Think again!
“…she didn’t even went..” ???
Oh my how quickly you forget Nicki is just sitting there giving her opinion on the sound of someone’s voice she has no power really when it comes down to it and she has one several of awards and accolades for her music as well as breaking records with her singles most of America has not and yet we decide who stays and goes so let’s not get too hung up on credentials. And she is no meaner than Simon obviously AI viewers thought it was his time to go and nicki has nearly no sway with them so why blame her? It makes him look bad and I would’ve defended myself the same way she did
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…The Voice is a great concept for a show and I love the judges (although Blake is really starting to get on my nerves), but the talent on that show does not compare to the talent on American Idol (Lazaro excluded of course). If the voice was that much better, then where are their winning contestants??