Fox: Passion, disagreements with new 'Idol' team

(AP) Five minutes into their season-opening news conference and the new team at American Idol were having their first disagreement about their disagreements.

Asked Tuesday whether a supposed feud between new judges Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj was a publicity stunt, Fox network executive Mike Darnell said it was authentic. He said there was a lot of passion within the group, which also includes country star Keith Urban and returning judge Randy Jackson. He said there were also a lot of disagreements.

Carey, however, called the story some trumped-up thing.

Minaj later called Carey one of her favorite all-time artists who has shaped a generation of singers.