Nicki Minaj Defends ‘Idol’ Harshness, Doesn’t Want To Give ‘False Hope’ [Video]

Nicki Minaj is kind of mean on American Idol, isn’t she? She’s kind of the new Simon, but since she’s not English, she can’t really get away with it. Still, the new judge has defended her often harsh criticism of Idol hopefuls, arguing that she tells it like it is because she doesn’t want to give anyone false hope.

After joining the Idol judge’s dais last year, Minaj has made headlines consistently for her often harsh words for contestants and her heavily-reported feud with fellow judge Mariah Carey. On the issue of harsh criticism, Minaj says that softening her blows would be a “disservice” to the aspiring singers on Idol.

She explained to The Hollywood Reporter that she’s not sorry for dealing in “the honest truth” because she cares for the contestants and their futures.

“When I speak in a blunt way, like I do, people take that as me not loving or caring about these people, but I really do. They are family to me. I feel like I’m not doing them a service if I blow smoke up their a–. I refuse to do that.”

Minaj has never been one to mince words, and has definitely brought some fire to American Idol.

Still, Idol’s ratings have been in a free-fall that has only recently slowed down. After weeks of sharp decline, the competition show seems to have leveled off after the last two episodes aired. Both entries were even slightly up from the previous week. Is the new judge’s dais, perhaps even Minaj’s poor appeal, partially to blame?

TV Guide opines that Idol‘s drop in popularity is simply due to age. The genre is getting a bit tired, and other shows like The X Factor and The Voice have divided Idol’s monopoly on the concept.

Why do you think American Idol‘s ratings have dropped? Are you a fan of Nicki Minaj?

[Image via: Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com]