Rapper NICKI MINAJ was late for the AMERICAN IDOL live show on Wednesday (13Mar13) after she was held up in heavy traffic.

The Starships hitmaker serves as a judge, alongside Keith Urban, Randy Jackson and Mariah Carey, on the TV singing show, but she missed the beginning of the program because of Los Angeles' congested roads.

In a series of posts on her Twitter.com page, she writes, "Stuck in traffic *sighs*. F**k u Malibu!!!!!!!!!!!! *moves to Beverly Hills*."

Addressing Minaj's absence, host Ryan Seacrest told the audience, "We are coming to you live and on time. Keep that energy going for three of your four judges who are here tonight... I hear she's (Minaj) seven minutes out and there's some congestion on the 405 (freeway). She should be here momentarily."

The rapper finally arrived nearly 15 minutes into the show, just missing a performance from the first contestant of the night.