A video has surfaced online of Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey arguing on the set of American Idol.

The two female stars were added to the line-up for this year's series of the reality TV show alongside country star and fellow Idol newbie Keith Urban.

Rumours surfaced soon after filming commenced that the pair had already engineered a frosty relationship but Carey defused the speculation.

However, TMZ have obtained a recording on the set of American Idol that appears to show Minaj verbally having a go at Carey during filming in North Carolina on Tuesday (October 2).

Speech is hard to decipher on the clip but Minaj is reported to have said: "I told them I'm not f*ckin' putting up with her f**kin' highness over there."

Keith Urban and fellow judge Randy Jackson can be seem looking on in worry as they try to placate the situation.

TMZ reports that filming was cancelled for the day to let the two judges calm down.