Minaj's critiques make her 'Idol's' new Simon

FOX

By Lyndsey Parker, Rolling Stone

If you only started watching "American Idol" in the post-Simon Cowell era, over the past two seasons, then you were undoubtedly very confused when you tuned in last week for the Season 12 Hollywood Week boys' episodes. What was this? An "Idol" judge giving actual advice? Having strong opinions? Not just telling everyone they're "beautiful" and "in it to win it"? Yes, newbie judge Nicki Minaj stepped it up and officially became "Idol's" new Simon Cowell last week, proving once and for all, to all doubters and haters, that Fox honchos actually knew what they were doing when they controversially hired her.

Sure, after two years of former judges Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler's softballing and spinelessness, not to mention Randy Jackson's overall ineffectiveness (and, three years ago, the checked-out emotional state of lame-duck judge Simon and the like-it-never-happened embarrassment that was Ellen DeGeneres), it was easy to at first be taken aback by Nicki's blunt, sometimes brutal, approach.

It'd been a long, long time since viewers had heard such frank feedback from any "Idol" judge. But really, nothing Nicki blurted out last week was any meaner (or less truthful) than anything Simon used to say in his heyday. The only difference was sometimes she dropped a (beeped-out) curse word or two. And even if Nicki's unminced words were sometimes difficult for the contestants (or viewers, or censors) to take, she said many things that everyone truly needed to hear. Seriously, it was about time that "American Idol" included some actual critiques again.

For instance, Nicki really turned on the tough love for one of her pet contestants, androgynous free spirit Papa Peachez -- but her harsh words seemed to come from a good place. At least she seemed like she cared; remember, this was a contestant that she had passionately championed."I'm pretty sure that flame is now completely burnt out. I'm so disappointed," Nicki scolded. "I can't believe you would allow this competition to suck that amazing quality out of you. I just hope that you realize how special you are."

When the judges then axed several contestants (including Papa), Nicki told them, "This was the one time to fight for your life, and if you didn't fight for your life, then you'll probably be pretty upset with yourself. You should be." And after Peaches exited the stage, she snarled to more mild-mannered judge Keith Urban: "I'm so f****** ?disappointed.... What the f*** was that?"

You know, Nicki was right.

And when country singer Paul Jolley shuffled onstage to sing his solo, already quivering with nerves, psyching himself out, and whining about his self-doubt to the judging panel, Nicki sternly told him: "You walked out so defeated, and that really irritated me. It's such a turnoff. Just give us one minute of professionalism!"

And Nicki was right.

And when 4'9" hopeful Matheus Fernandes came out and once again self-deprecatingly poked fun at his height (or lack thereof), Nicki chastised him for milking his sob story too much, barking: "Sometimes things can go from being inspiring, to like you wanting a pity party. And once you're great, we don't even notice your height. You don't have to milk that ever again. Be you, be great, and just rest in your talent after today." (Side note: I was more annoyed by Matheus's golly-gee claims that he'd never sung with a live backing band before, despite the fact that he'd been a finalist on another major TV singing competition, "The Glee Project," less than two years ago.)

And Nicki was right.

So this week, it will be time for the Hollywood Week female hopefuls to compete. Will Nicki give the girls similarly honest, no-holds-barred critiques? I imagine so -- if anything, Her Minajesty might be even harder on the girls. And I say ...?bring it on. Being The New Simon is a dirty job, but someone's gotta do it, and judging from what I've witnessed so far, Nicki does it very, very well.

Parker out.

What did you think of Nicki Minaj's tough love? Has it changed your opinion of her??Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.

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Source: http://theclicker.today.com/_news/2013/02/12/16936585-nicki-minajs-sharp-smart-critiques-make-her-american-idols-next-simon-cowell?lite

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