Mariah on 'Messy' 'Idol' Moments with Nicki

By

Mariah Carey opened up to ET's Rocsi Diaz today concerning her rumored feud with fellow American Idol judge Nicki Minaj.

Carey has admitted to having "messy moments" while on the judging panel and she clarified her statement, saying, "Here's what I meant by messy moments: You just have to adapt. And I think my thing is I have to be myself, and if that means that in that moment I don't hear you; I don't see you; you don't exist to me at this moment -- that's what it is."

Carey confirmed that she beefed up security after feeling threatened by Minaj on set last fall, but everything seemed copasetic between the two ladies when they appeared at The Television Critics Association Tour on Tuesday.

RELATED: Mariah & Minaj Address Idol Feud

"This is a very passionate panel," Carey said. "I think there are a lot of strong personalities and, starting this process, I thought it was a possibility there could be differences of opinions. The fighting is what it is. This is American Idol, it's bigger than all that. It's bigger than some stupid, trumped-up thing. It's about the next superstar."

American Idol returns to FOX Wednesday, January 16 and Thursday January 17 at 8/7c.