'Starships' hitmaker Nicki Minaj spoke out about her feelings towards being an 'American Idol' panelist just hours before fellow judge Randy Jackson announced he was leaving the show.

Jackson made the surprise revelation last night (May 9) and told press that after 12 years of working on the programme he has decided to call it a day, but Minaj admitted that she is thoroughly enjoying being part of it and would do it all again if asked:

"That's a million-dollar question," she said when asked if she will return to the panel for the next series. "I have to say this all the time, but I want people to know it's genuinely from my heart. I love the people on Idol. I genuinely do. If I had to do this all over again, I would have done 'Idol.' Because it's fun, it's laughs."

Minaj added that the negative press can cloud the experience, referring to her spat with Mariah Carey earlier this year, but explained that she has loved every minute so far: "It's kind of sad that what people read all the time is only when something is negative. But they don't realize that we built a family. I feel happy here and I have to thank them for giving me this chance."

"They could have picked anyone in the world. And they picked me. So that's all I'll say about that."

Watch Minaj talk about her relationships with the other judges in a new interview here: