'American Idol' host Ryan Seacrest has spoken out about the volatile relationship between the show's new panelists, Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj.

During an interview on The Today Show, he was asked if their recent on-set bust up was a trick they pulled for the cameras and he admitted that there's obvious tension between the two, although they try and keep personal differences out of their roles on the programme:

"Yes, it is. It's not manufactured. These are two very, very spirited, strong individual performers who've had a lot of success that aren't shy about their opinion regardless of what they may be about."

"There was a bit of difference in opinion between Nicki and Mariah on the elevator ride up to our first day of shooting," he continued.

"And before that contestant came in they settled it, but on camera, so you'll get to see some of the sparks right out of the gate this season."

Watch Minaj talk about her relationship with Carey on The Ellen Show here::