Nicki Minaj would be welcome back to the next season of American Idol according to producer Nigel Lythgoe – in spite of her candid feedback to contestants on this season which has seen her rated as the most controversial Idol judge since Simon Cowell.

Last week, the Hollywood Reporter writes that she drew criticism after asking for several performers to leave the stage after what she believed to be a sub-par performance. "I’m gonna act like I didn’t see that or hear it," she sniped at Burnell Taylor, Lazaro Arbos and Devin Velez’ cover of I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch). Commenting on the incident, Velez said "When she went crazy – when she was like ‘get off the stage, blah blah blah’ and it’s just like ‘whoa Miss Minaj, I need you to calm down please," adding “She could have been upset because the night before she was wearing the same colored dress as Mariah, or that she was on time. We never know."

Minaj of course had a retort, writing on Twitter "Lol. Be mad @AMERICA when u get sent home. The JUDGES are the ones who FOUGHT for America to get the opp to vote for you #memba?" However, given that Minaj was brought in because of her conflict with fellow judge Mariah Carey, this sort of spice is clearly what the show bosses are looking for. Talking to TMZ, Lythgoe replied "By me, she certainly will be!" when asked if she was coming back.

Nicki Minaj
NIcki Minaj could be back for season 2