How fake feuds and phony marriages boost publicity for celebs

A few weeks ago, I saw a video of a media disaster and thought, “This one has to go on the list.” But the more I thought about it, the more I concluded that it may not have been a media disaster at all, but a purposefully staged “fight” to bring more buzz to a television program.

The video involved two of next season’s new judges for American Idol: singers Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj. Here’s the clip:

Nicki Minaj said:

“Think I’m playin’? Think this sh*t is a f*cking joke? Think it’s a joke? Think it’s a joke? Think it’s a joke? Say one more disrespectful thing to me, if you say one more disrespectful thing to me—off with your head … I’m not f*cking putting up with your f*cking highness over there … figure it the f*ck out.”

This fight may have been real, but the history of fake feuds to boost ratings, movie box office receipts, or record sales is as old as show business itself.