The duelling divas Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj have revealed that their cat fighting on American Idol isn't an act

The duelling divas Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj have revealed that their cat fighting on American Idol isn't an act - and their latest public snipe-fest is proof. 

The judges of the hit singing show were at a press conference for the Television Critics Association Winter Tour on Tuesday morning and while things started out pleasantly enough with the two stars complementing each other, the atmosphere soon soured. 

When asked if their sparring was real or merely a ploy to generate more buzz about the show, Mariah, said: 'It’s a passionate panel. 

Battle of the divas: Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj rowed at a TV Critics Association press conference in Pasadena, California, on Tuesday - and confirmed their feud is not an act 

'The fight is what it is.'

According to the blog Vulture.com a journalist then asked the warring women to say something nice about each other.

Nicki, 30, went first and said: 'I say nice things about Mariah all the time. She is one of my favorite artists of all time. 

'To be on a panel with her, it's kind of crazy. All the singers come in aspiring to be Mariah, in terms of talent and in terms of career length.'

Mariah apparently 'flinched' before replying: 'That was a very sweet thing to say. 

Bursting out: Both Mariah and Nicki seemed to be competing for the most revealing dress award

Team work: Nicki reaches out to high five felllow judge L.A. Reid before things turn sour with Mariah

'We did a song that was from my album and it was called, ironically, Up Out My Face. 

'It was one of my favorite songs.'

Mariah added: 'And I did feel like she was going to go very far and still have that feeling. I am grateful for anything nice that she or anyone has to say.'

The stars both agreed that their fighting - most sensationally seen on leaked footage from an audition last October - 'distracts' from the show so they decided to put in behind them. 

However it wasn't long before the simmering animosity between the two resurfaced. 

Her side of the story: The singer hit back when Mariah claimed that their feud was one sided. Nicki is sandwiched between Idol host Ryan Seacrest and fellow judge Keith Urban

Glam: Mariah was diva-tastic in her emerald dress and bling as she shared a joke with L.A Reid

'It was sort of a one-sided thing,' Mariah said.

'No, it wasn’t!' Nicki snapped back. 'See? They don’t want a rising star, they want drama.'

Throughout the rest of the press conference the pair rolled their eyes at each other's comments, sneered or just stared daggers at each other.

Feisty: Since joining the Idol panel the 30-year-old rapper has always been happy to voice her opinions 

Awkward: When Nicki was forced to complement her Mariah reportedly flinched

Separated by the other judges, Keith Urban and L.A. Reid, who tried to keep the peace, Nicki and Mariah also seemed to be competing in the style and cleavage displaying stakes too. 

Both were pouring out of their dresses - Mariah opted for a strapless, emerald green mini dress with strappy Louboutins while Nicki wore a short gold, grey and white number. 

The Make Me Proud singer also sported skyscraper Louboutins and both went for big, voluminous hair and fierce jewellery. 

And to make things even more awkward, Mariah and Nicki each said they neither of them would ever have entered a reality singing contest at the start of their careers. 

United front: The panel are all smiles despite simmering tensions between the girls