Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Wondering how the American Idol auditions are going in Baton Rouge today after Mariah’s comments to Barbara Walters and Nicki Minaj’s Twitter tirade?

The answer, apparently, is “very well.”

Within the last hour (about 7:40 p.m. EST Friday), executive producer Nigel Lythgoe sent out photos via Twitter of both Mariah and Nicki smiling as they posed with contestants.

OK, you might not call that goofy look on Nicki’s face a smile, but she certainly wasn’t scowling.

Granted, they weren’t posing in the same photo, but they seemed to be enjoying themselves.

And producers released the following statement:

“This is one of the best, most passionate, dynamic and invested judging panels we’ve ever had. We love and support all the judges and fantastic work they are doing, and we can’t imagine a better group to find the next American Idol. Despite all the accusations and media speculation — much of which is inaccurate — production is going extremely well today, and the judges are focused on finding the best talent in Baton Rouge.”

Hmm … such a statement is likely to fuel speculation that the Nicki-Mariah blowup was mostly fabricated to heighten interest in the show.

But it might quiet those who have been calling on FOX to give boot Nicki and Mariah the boot.

Earlier today, even Nigel couldn’t help teasing his Twitter followers, announcing that he was in Baton Rouge for the auditions and following up with:
“I wonder what today holds for me.”

As for Nicki, no new Twitter rants.

Though last night she did send out a message to fans indicating the American Idol photo shoot “was dope.”