Nicki Minaj | featured news

The "American Idol" judges' panel is now complete with the naming of singer-rapper Nicki Minaj and country crooner Keith Urban.

It's official: Nicki Minaj did not endorse Mitt Romney in a recent rap. The flamboyant rapper confirmed Monday on Twitter that she was taking literary license when she referenced the Republican nominee for president. Some took her words to mean she was backing President Barack Obama's opponent. Not Obama, though, who told radio station WPYO-FM in Orlando, Fla., that he didn't think it was a Romney plug, adding: "She likes to play different characters."

In her tweet, Minaj thanked Obama for understanding "my creative humor and sarcasm," then noted: "the smart ones always do ... (asterisk)sends love & support."

After months of rumors and speculation, "American Idol" is reportedly close to choosing two new judges for Season 12: Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban.

The 29-year-old rapper will be joining Mariah Carey at the judges' table on "American Idol," two sources confirm to Us Weekly exclusively. "I'm not sure the deal is completely done yet, but yes, she is definitely doing it," one insider reveals. "A few more slight things to sign off on but it is happening."

In addition to a tribute to Whitney Houston, the BET Awards show features Chris Brown, D'Angelo, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Nicki Minaj and host Samuel L. Jackson. During Sunday's live telecast of the 2012 BET Awards, anticipation reigned, with questions filling Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium.