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As the new season of American Idol draws closer to its premiere, the story of Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey‘s reported feud is still a hot topic. 

The two were on hand for a recent press conference for the show and while they didn’t deny that there was friction between the two, they did manage to be complimentary of each other.

“I say nice things about Mariah all the time,” Minaj told the members of the media. “I tell Mariah all the time how much of a fan I am of her. She’s one of my favorite artists of all time … She’s shaped a generation of singers. It’s kind of crazy to be on a panel with her … I feel excited to see [the contestants] see someone they look up to so much … [and] hear her critique.”

Carey was flattered by the comments by staying that it was a very sweet thing to say. “Nicki and I worked together very early on in her career and did a song from an album I’d done called ‘Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel,’ called ‘Up Out My Face,’ ironically … it was one of my favorite videos and songs and I did feel that she was going to go very far, and still have that feeling and am grateful for anything nice that she and anyone else have to say about me.”

The season premiere of American Idol will air on the FOX network on January 16th.

Photo: Coco Perez

[Spotted at HHDX]