Singer Nicki Minaj arrives at the 2010 American Music Awards in Los Angeles November 21, 2010. (Photo : Reuters)

Nicki Minaj surprised everyone when she joined the judges' panel on "American Idol." The star claims that she was inspired to take on the hot seat.

"I remember watching 'American Idol' in the first season and feeling inspired," Minaj said on Monday during a press conference announcing her addition to the panel. "I spoke to [season 6 winner] Jordin Sparks the other day and here she is starring in a movie ['Sparkle'] and I said to her, 'I remember watching you and picking up my phone.'"

Minaj did not actually vote for Sparks, but she remembered her mother liking the young singer and her little brother preferring another contestant, Blake Lewis.

"Because my little brother was more obsessed over the Blake person because he was like, more, you know, hip-hop, whatever," she said, throwing in a little shoulder shimmy. "But I told her [Sparks] that, 'you know you're a part of history, kind of. Because I remember calling and seeing your face and being inspired and hearing your story."

Minaj also explained why after receiving a number of offers to join the judging panels of other music competition shows, she decided to take on "American Idol's" request. "This is such a credible brand," she said. "It's really serious, it's real deal it's not anything else other than really looking for talent. If I can be a part of that I'm really down for it."

At the press conference, Minaj wore a sleek and straight blonde wig and a black-and-white printed subtly-puffed short-sleeve blouse. The eccentric rapper appears to have toned down her image for her new role - at least for the press tour of her new role; it wouldn't be surprising if Minaj made her "Idol" debut with a widely colored wig and wacky outfit.

If the "Pound the Alarm" raptress puts her craziness in full gear, she could easily take all the spotlight, even from legendary songbird and co-judge Mariah Carey. There are already rumors swirling around that the two divas are feuding. At the press conference, Carey laughed off reports saying, "How are we gonna feud in two days? A feud takes a little longer to spread out [than that]." She also added, "It's fun, it's music, it's singing, it's laughter." As Carey shut down the rumors, Minaj smiled and giggled.

Minaj joins Keith Urban (who, like Minaj, was also a final addition), Carey, and "Idol" veteran Randy Jackson on the judge's table on the upcoming 12^th season. 

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