Mariah Carey splashed out $1,500 on an eight-hour massage

The `American Idol` judge hired a masseuse to help her relax at her Los Angeles mansion last month, and during the rub down she insisted on watching Sacha Baron Cohen`s 2009 comedy movie `Bruno` - which lasts 81 minutes and sees the actor portray the titular character, a flamboyant fashionista - on repeat.

A source told Us Weekly: "The masseuse made $1,500. She insisted `Bruno` play on repeat. It looped the entire time!"

Mariah may have required the massage to relieve tension built up after feuding with fellow `American Idol` judge Nicki Minaj on the show, but the programme`s bosses are said to "love the drama".

A show insider said: "They feel like they`ve struck gold."

Filming on `American Idol` had to be called to a halt earlier this month when Mariah and Nicki clashed over a contestant which resulted in the `Super Bass` rapper branding the `Hero` hitmaker "boring as f**k" and threatening, "Off with your head!"

Following the disagreement, Nicki fired more insults at Mariah on her twitter account, but producers have insisted the judging panel is one of the "best" the show has ever had.

They said: "This is one of the best, most passionate, dynamic and invested judging panels we`ve ever had.

"We love and support all of the judges and the fantastic work they are doing, and we can`t imagine a better group to find the next `American Idol`."

sections: Celebrities