'American Idol' judge Nicki Minaj admitted she was initially worried about joining the panel of the show because she thought it would make her too famous.

Nicki Minaj was worried 'American Idol' would make her''too famous''. The 'Starships' singer admitted she had reservations about joining the panel of the pop star search show because of its wide-reaching appeal and feared it would make her too mainstream.

She told the Hollywood Reporter: ''I had a lot of talks with people - my family, my best friends, my label, Lil Wayne, management and then the producers. ''Sometimes you are afraid of being too famous because it's almost, like, is that even cool? Being that accessible, someone you see on TV every week? I never pictured myself as that type of person.

I'm still surprised that I decided to do it.'' However, she was persuaded to join the panel - which also includes Mariah Carey, Keith Urban and Randy Jackson - after speaking to Mike Darnell, Fox network's president of alternative entertainment. She explained: ''He was so lovable and made me feel so comfortable and confident.

He kept saying, 'I promise we're going to protect you; you're going to love it, we're a big family.''' Despite a public bust-up with Mariah during auditions, Nicki insists there are no issues with the panel. She said: ''Sometimes things get heated for their own reasons. I don't think the panel has an issue.''