Mariah Carey isn’t just the Queen of Christmas she’s a cultural constant. A diva who has remained firmly in the good graces of the LGBTQ+ community since day one, not by accident, but by action. She shows up. She says the right things. And crucially, she knows when to clock nonsense with precision and grace.
Which is why, in light of Nicki Minaj’s recent pivot into full-blown MAGA Minaj territory, a long-forgotten moment from American Idol is suddenly resonating a lot louder than it did back in 2013.
Sometimes, the girls were always right we just weren’t ready to hear it yet.
@thedivawhisperer My Mariah Carey / Nicki Minaj story from 2013. #nickiminaj #mariahcarey #americanidol ♬ original sound – Carlo De Santis
The Idol incident we should’ve paid more attention to
The moment comes courtesy of TikToker Carlo De Santis, who recently shared a behind-the-scenes story from his time producing American Idol during its Las Vegas “sudden death” round.
At the time, Nicki Minaj was riding high: she was the most-charted female rapper on the Billboard Hot 100, culturally untouchable, and very much in her “main character” era. According to Carlo, that energy wasn’t just for the cameras.
During a scheduled interview segment with the judges Randy Jackson and Keith Urban (pre–Nicole Kidman divorce, for the pop culture historians) Nicki reportedly swept into the room, announced:
“Nicki doesn’t wait.”
…and promptly walked out.
No discussion. No collaboration. Just vibes and ego.
Enter Mariah Carey, patron saint of gay patience
Cut to Mariah Carey’s suite softly lit, perfectly curated, and spiritually protected. While interviews continued elsewhere, Mariah was lounging like the icon she is.
Carlo, doing what any sane gay would do, approached her to say thank you. Not just for existing, but specifically for not pulling a “Nicki doesn’t wait” moment.
Mariah’s response?
“She did not say that.”
Carlo confirmed she absolutely did. Then added the line that sealed the bond forever:
“None for Nicki Minaj.”
Mariah clocked the Mean Girls reference instantly. Friendship formed. Gay history made.
The bad wig critique and Mariah’s surgical read
Later that day, Nicki reportedly critiqued a contestant by saying something along the lines of:
“You’re wearing a bad wig.”
Mariah, upon hearing this, was not amused.
According to Carlo, she turned to him and said the line that has now aged like the finest champagne:
“How dare she come for that contestant for wearing a bad wig. Her life is a bad wig.”
Reader she ate.
Carlo, fully gagged, replied:
“Well… they’re all from Party City.”
Mariah did a full diva spin, paused, and then delivered the most Mariah Carey ally moment imaginable:
“I know you didn’t just say Party City… but we love everybody.”
That’s the difference. Sharp, but humane. Cutting, but fair.
Why this moment hits different now
In 2013, many of us were conflicted. Loving Mariah was easy she’s Mariah. But Nicki was still widely embraced as a boundary-pushing woman in a deeply misogynistic industry, and for a while, she felt adjacent to queer liberation.
Fast forward to now, and the picture looks… bleak.
From defending deeply troubling personal relationships to appearing at Turning Point USA events and cozying up to right-wing culture warriors, Nicki has burned through a lot of goodwill. Watching this old story resurface feels less like gossip and more like confirmation.
As Carlo put it:
“When you’re around these people, you see how they treat others when the cameras aren’t on.”
The internet responds (as it should)
Commenters wasted no time connecting the dots.
“Somebody said Nicki Garbaj,” one wrote.
Another added, “Mariah Carey, Lil’ Kim, Cardi B they were always right.”
History has a funny way of humbling people.
The lesson: wigs slip eventually
In a cultural moment where cruelty is rewarded and accountability feels optional, this story lands as a quiet reminder: arrogance might work for a while, but it always shows.
Eventually, the wig slips.
Eventually, the lighting changes.
Eventually, someone notices the Party City lace.
Mariah Carey noticed.
And honestly? She tried to warn us.