American Idol: Nicki Minaj Calls Mariah Carey a "Bitch" on Premiere

           Let the diva wars begin! After the Wednesday Jan. 16 season premiere of a totally revamped American Idol -- with new judges Keith Urban, Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj joining veteran holdout Randy Jackson plus host Ryan Seacrest -- the much-hyped friction between Minaj and Carey was finally on the small screen.

Mariah Carey, Keith Urban, Nicki Minaj and Randy Jackson at the New York auditions of American Idol.

During the first of many audition episodes, the Grammy-winning singer and "Starships" rapper argued over just about anything. In the elevator on day one, for example, Carey takes issue with Minaj's huge, plumed majorette hat .

"We can have accessories? I didn't know that was allowed," Carey sniffed at the judges table, then complaining about her right to bring her dog to work. Later, Carey bragged about her holiday chestnut, "All I Want for Christmas." Minaj then calls her rival a "bitch" under her breath.

Carey then warned Minaj that anything that "starts with a 'B' and ends with an 'itch' – I rebuke it!" The women even argued over the Lindsay Lohan flick Mean Girls -- with Carey challenging Minaj to reference the film correctly.

Other mishaps during the premiere? Country singer Urban spilled his huge cup of Coke on Minaj after a sexy Israeli singer, Shira Gavrielov, auditions.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry … we'll have to edit right here," Urban, 46, uttered.l Us: What did you think of the premiere?