Former American Idol Judge Steven Tyler Criticizes Nicki Minaj, She Responds

This season of American Idol hasn't even premiered yet, but the show continues to grab headlines. First it was reported spats between Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey, now, former judge Steven Tyler had some choice words for the YMCMB rapper—words which she was less than pleased with.

"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,'" the Aerosmith frontman said before specifically critiquing Minaj. "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 [last season's winner] Phillip Phillips. Just saying."

There's probably more where this came from, so stay tuned. The new season of American Idol premiers on January 16.