Nicki Minaj had to va va voom her way to the “American Idol” set Wednesday as she was 13 minutes late for the live taping of the top 10 performances episode.
“We are coming to you live and on time,” said host Ryan Seacrest at the beginning of the show.“Say hello to three of your four judges who have made it here on time.”
So what held the hip-hop judge?
Nicki Minaj missed the beginning of "American Idol" on March 13, 2013. Minaj blamed the traffic in Los Angeles for her delay.
“So this is where Nicki [is]…I hear she is seven minutes out and there is some congestion on the 405 [Freeway], she should be here momentarily,"Seacrest explained to the audience as he sat in the MIA judge's seat.
"I heard it was the 101," joked Randy Jackson.
Keith Urban, Randy Jackson, and Mariah Carey greet the audience as Nicki Minaj misses the beginning of "American Idol" on March 13, 2013. Minaj blamed the traffic in Los Angeles for her delay.
“Stuck in traffic, sighs,”Minaj Tweeted to her over 16 million followers as she rushed to make it on time.
“Well the show must go on so let's get the party started,” Seacrest said as the show continued in Minaj's absence.
Fellow judge Mariah appeared to be a bit annoyed at the situation but Minaj finally arrived rocking a black hoodie and sunglasses.
Nicki Minaj missed the beginning of "American Idol" on March 13, 2013. Minaj blamed the traffic in Los Angeles for her delay.
Once she was back in her chair, Seacrest did not make another mention of her tardiness throughout the episode.
The 30-year-old judge missed the first contestant to take the stage, Curtis Finch Jr. but the singer revealed to E! that he actually ran in to Minaj backstage and she still got to hear him sing.
Nicki Minaj missed the beginning of "American Idol" on March 13, 2013. Minaj blamed the traffic in Los Angeles for her delay.
"During the performance, she was backstage," he told E! "It was literally like, step, step, step, curtain, Nicki, and she was like, 'Good job today.”
"To see her backstage, was comforting," he added.
Keith Urban, Ryan Seacrest, Randy Jackson, and Mariah Carey greet the audience as Nicki Minaj misses the beginning of "American Idol" on March 13, 2013. Minaj blamed the traffic in Los Angeles for her delay.
Other contestants like Paul Jolley were not too surprised about the "Super Bass" singer's late arrival.
"It's not the first [time]and probably not the last," Jolley said with a laugh referring to her being late during the Hollywood week performances.
"But I'm OK with it. I love Nicki."
