'American Idol': Nicki Minaj calls Mariah Carey 'sir,' angers some fans

  • american idol judges 660 ap.jpg

    Keith Urban, Nicki Minaj, Randy Jackson and Mariah Carey appear on "American Idol."AP

Watch it there, Nicki.

This season, the audience has embraced Nicki Minajs unique critiques (and style) as she sits on the American Idol panel, bringing a young, new perspective to the judges table. But last night she may have lost some fans when she seemingly insulted music great Mariah Carey during the show.

The jab came when the two Idol women argued about contestant Kree Harrisons performance of She Talks to Angels.

After Minaj said she disagreed with Careys critique, Carey fired back, I disagree with your disagreement.

OK. Simmer down, sir, Minaj quipped back.

Her reply was met with some gasps and a few laughs from a surprised studio audience.

And some fans on Twitter had a similar reaction.

Why does Nicki Minaj try to start [with] Mariah like she 60x better than you will ever be, one user wrote.

[Nicki Minaj] need[s] to show some respect to Mariah Carey. Like at least respect each other's opinion. I love you Mariah, one viewer wrote.

Another added: Lol at [Nicki Minaj] trying to "disagree" [with] Mariah when Mariah was talking about something else.

And though Minajs many fans tweeted they thought the sir comment was funny, the rapper still seemed to offer an olive branch to Carey later in the night. Minaj, possibly in attempt to smooth things over, complimented the music icons vocal skills at one point.

After Candice Glovers performance of When You Believe, Minaj talked about the ! impressive collaboration of the original version of the song, which was performed by Carey and Whitney Houston.

Fans of Carey took the opportunity to gloat about the compliment.

Today's episode of American Idol just reminded me why Mariah Carey is a queen..like Nicki Minaj just had to show some respect, one user wrote on Twitter.

But others praised the rapper for her kind words.

Thanks for being sweet" to Mariah tonight [Nicki Minaj]! one fan tweeted.

I agree with Nicki Minaj. For once, another wrote. She even complimented Mariah. What.