Former American Idol judge Steven Tyler isn’t holding back his feelings about the personality differences that might be clouding the judgment of the current panel, which includes Idol mainstay Randy Jackson and new additions Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey and Keith Urban.
In an interview with MTV News, Tyler was asked his opinion about the reported tension between Minaj and Carey, which has provided much fodder for the blogosphere and talk show circuit as of late. And the Aerosmith frontman did not mince words.
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“I know that they've got something going on on the judges' panel, [and] it shouldn't be that, it should be just the opposite: They should have something going on, which is called 'camaraderie,' " he said. "They should have something going on so thick and beautiful that they can lay it over the new talent that's trying to birth itself. It needs to be birthed, not judged by 'entertainment' factors. It needs to be judged by people that [are] honest, true, that have the 'it' factor. Not the 'it' factor because they can fight. The f--- is that all about?"
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Tyler expressed concern that the tension between the singers will distract from the show’s mission of finding and cultivating new talent, as he claims he -- along with Jennifer Lopez and Jackson -- did with season 11 winner Phillip Phillips.
"You just have to give your opinion. It wasn't hard for me, but I would imagine it's hard for some people, and they need a manager to say, 'Shut the f--- up, and just give them your opinion,' ” lectured Tyler. "These kids, they just got out of a car from the Midwest somewhere, and they're in New York City. They're scared to death; you're not going to get the best [out of them]. … If it was Bob Dylan, Nicki Minaj would have had him sent to the cornfield! Whereas, if it was Bob Dylan with us, we would have brought the best of him out, as we did with Phillip Phillips. Just saying."
Season 12 of Idol kicks off Jan. 16 on Fox.
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