Nicki Minaj Performs On “American Idol,” Makes Play For J. Lo’s Seat

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American Idol, J-Lo, Nicki Minaj, Roman Reloaded, Starships

With the release of Nicki Minaj‘s Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded only days away, the colorful rapper took to the American Idol stage last night (March 30) for a performance of her hit song “Starships.”

All bright lights and party vibes, Minaj’s Idol performance was high spirited and heavy on sharply choreographed dance steps. [See video below] The clean scrubbed performance was a departure from Minaj’s controversial Grammy showing, in which she performed a mock exorcism of her alter-ego, Roman Zolanski.

While her Idol set was met with cheers and glowing praise, her Grammy outing left many confused, including the Catholic League, the most vocal of the show’s detractors.

“Perhaps the most vulgar was the sexual statement that showed a scantily clad female dancer stretching backwards while an altar boy knelt between her legs in prayer,” said Bill Donohue, the president of the Catholic League. “None of this was by accident, and all of it was approved The Recording Academy, which puts on the Grammys.”

For Minaj’s Idol performance, there was no rebuke from religious organizations. It was a fun and fuzzy affair that spawned an entertaining exchange between Minaj and Idol host Jennifer Lopez.

“I’m having an amazing time,” Minaj told host Ryan Seacrest during the post-performance interview. “I was hoping maybe I could come back and become a guest judge. J. Lo, can you scoot over so I can get up in there?”

Jennifer Lopez wagged her finger and responded with a laugh: “I don’t think there’s enough room up here for both of us.”

Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, Nicki Minaj’s sophomore album, will hit stores April 3.

–Erik Parker, CBS Local