Rapper NICKI MINAJ had reservations about joining AMERICAN IDOL as she worries the hit TV talent show will make her "too famous".

The Super Bass hitmaker fears she may lose fans and even her hip-hop credentials by taking a seat on the judging panel of the reality series.

She tells The Hollywood Reporter, "(Before joining) I had a lot of talks with people - my family, my best friends, my label, (mentor) Lil Wayne, management and then the producers.

"(There is) a judgemental culture in hip-hop. Sometimes you are afraid of being too famous because it's almost, like, is that even cool? Being that accessible, someone you see on TV every week? I never pictured myself as that type of person. I'm still surprised that I decided to do it."

Minaj will make her American Idol debut alongside singer Mariah Carey, country star Keith Urban and veteran judge Randy Jackson when season 12 kicks off in the U.S. on 16 January (13).