Barbara Walters: Nicki Minaj Ranted About 'Shooting' Mariah Carey

Before its even premiered, the expensively, extensively retooled 12th season of FOX's "American Idol" is already blowing up in faces.

In the wake of footage leaking to TMZ of judge Nicki Minaj going off on fellow (and higher-priced) newbie Mariah Carey, Barbara Walters claimed Thursday on "The View" that Minaj made remarks behind the scenes that were even more over-the-top.

"Nicki walked off the set and multiple people heard Nicki say, 'If I had a gun, I would shoot the b****," Walters claimed. Carey reportedly told Walters that security has been stepped up and that though Minaj has had kind words for Carey since, she hasn't apologized as yet.

During Tuesday's Charlotte, N.C. auditions, Minaj took her disdain for Carey to a new level when she allegedly told Mariah "I'm gonna knock you out" before the TMZ footage began and shouted, "I told them I'm not f**kin' putting up with her f**kin' highness over there."

Carey responded, "Oh why, WHYYYY do I have a three-year-old sitting around me?

"I can't see my kids, because you decided to act like a litle crazy bitch and go all round the stage," she added.

The whole dust-up started with the two disagreeing first over a contestant's performance, then escalating into Minaj ripping Carey repeatedly for supposedly calling her "inadequate" and constantly reminding everyone without spitting distance of her Grammy-lauded resume.

Minaj responded Thursday with her own blast of tweets directed at Carey, even unveiling a shiny new nickname for Mrs. Nick Cannon.

I guess it hurts 2 have the producers tell u to ur face that nicki is the best judge we've had since simon. Awww, poor u. Keep them lies cmn

— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) October 4, 2012

All I do is compliment u. That's not enuff? Ur a legend, cheer up. U don't have to run down ur resume or feel intimidated. Shady McGrady...

— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) October 4, 2012