Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj play nice at American Idol press conference

Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj put their differences to one side on Tuesday (08Jan13) in an effort to persuade TV writers they're becoming friends on American Idol.

The two new judges fell out as auditions got underway last year (12), and one spat over a contestant allegedly led to Minaj threatening to shoot Carey.

The pair sat before journalists on the Television Critics Association Tour in Pasadena, California on Tuesday morning to promote Idol's upcoming 11th season - and appeared to be on good terms.

Addressing the 2012 conflict, Carey stated, "This is a very passionate panel. I think there are a lot of strong personalities and starting this process, I thought it was a possibility there could be differences of opinions. The fighting is what it is. This is American Idol, it's bigger than all that. It's bigger than some stupid trumped up thing. It's about the next superstar.

"Haven't you ever had an argument with someone you work with? I think time heals all wounds. The whole thing is convoluted. It's a distraction from the show. It's a distraction from the contestants. It shouldn't be about any of us sitting up here, it should be about the contestants."

And Minaj added, "We're professionals."

The hip-hop star was also asked to "say something nice" about Carey, and stated, "I say nice things about Mariah all the time. I tell her all the time what a fan I am of her. She's one of my favourite artists of all time. She's really shaped a generation of singers. To be on a panel with her is crazy."

However, it's what they didn't say that seemed to suggest they're far from the best of friends - both pulled faces and rolled their eyes while the other spoke.