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Charlotte takes the stage on Wednesday’s “American Idol.”
Expect nasty.
Auditions were held at Time Warner Cable Arena in June for the popular Fox talent contest; thousands took a shot at stardom and got a glimpse of stardom in return.
Host Ryan Seacrest worked the mob and then Season 10 champion Scotty McCreery of Garner led cheers for the cameras from atop a scissor lift.
Producers combed through about 5,000 hopefuls, then invited about 100 or so back for tryouts in front of the judges in August.
By then, the arena was under contract to the Democratic National Convention, so auditions were moved to Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord. And that’s where the trouble started.
Giving new meaning to the term “split decision,” Nicki Minaj tangled with fellow judge Mariah Carey.
A video leaked onto the Internet from the high-security set showed the rapper raging, “I’m not ------- putting up with her ------- highness over there.”
Then Carey observed Minaj was “a little crazy -----.”
Randy Jackson, who has been on the show all 12 seasons, tried to play peacemaker, urging them to settle down. Country star Keith Urban, also on the judging panel, escaped largely unscathed.
Fox has indicated that there has been occasional friction this season (as there is every season), but all is well. Viewers will get to decide when the show airs 8-10 p.m. Wednesday on Fox Charlotte (WCCB, Channel 18).
