Nicki Minaj Scared For American Idol Debut

Nicki Minaj has already stirred up loads of controversy on American Idol - and the show has yet to premiere. Her backstage fights with fellow judge Mariah Carey are the stuff of gossip legend, and have dominated headlines for weeks. Now, Nicki admits she's scared of how she'll be perceived by the public once the show starts in January.

Minaj went on Ryan Seacrest's radio show, and was candid in admitting she has her concerns about her persona.

"I'm scared. Maybe I shouldn't have been so like... It's hard for me to not say how I really feel. Everyone else is so nice. I was just thinking back about some things and I was like, 'I wonder if that was not so nice.' I don't think I'm going to be able to watch it. I'm going to be so nervous."

"But I know people are going to love it. I think it's a great dynamic."

Minaj claims the judges have great chemistry - and yes, that includes Carey. She also claims she won't hold back on criticizing the competitors, so perhaps she's positioning herself as the new Simon Cowell?

"As an artist I've always grown more from the tougher criticism and so I would like to be that person and to try to help people get that thick skin and to really give it their all, because it is a competition."

Nicki even teased a potential debut with her rival, Carey, saying ''If she'll have me, I'll be there waiting."