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Nicki Minaj storms off American Idol

Mar 15, 2013, 17:02 GMT

Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj threatened to quit 'American Idol' after her favourite act was voted off the show.

The 'Starships' rapper - who sits on the singing competition's judging panel with Mariah Carey, Keith Urban and Randy Jackson - was left fuming after singer Curtis Finch Jr. landed in the bottom two and was sent home last night (14.03.13).

After host Ryan Seacrest announced that Curtis and fellow contestant Devin Velez had garnered the least viewer votes, an angry Nicki pleaded: 'I definitely think Curtis should not be in the bottom two. I mean, I love Devin but I think that Curtis, if you look at every one of his performances, I mean - come on, America, are you kidding me? Curtis, if you go home, I go home.'

The 30-year-old musician stayed true to her words, jumping out of her judge's seat and attempting to storm off set as Curtis was eliminated, but she was instructed to return to her chair by fellow judge Randy Jackson.

As the eliminated contestant performed one last time - giving a rousing rendition of R. Kelly's 'I Believe I Can Fly' - the judges deliberated on whether to invoke their right to overturn the public decision. However, per the show's rules, they can only save one singer in the entire season and the decision must be unanimous. While Nicki was eager to save Curtis, Randy informed host Ryan that they were unable to reach a majority verdict.

A sulking Nicki said: 'I think we really needed an extra minute to discuss it. I don't feel there was a real discussion about it. I know that it's a live show, but...'

This latest incident follows the 'Pound the Alarm' hitmaker causing problems by missing the first part of the 'American Idol' performance show on Wednesday night (13.03.13) as she was stuck in traffic.

The singer-and-rapper missed Curtis' rendition of Fantasia's 'Believe' and wasn't present at the judges' table when it came for the experts' critiques on the performance.