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.