The `Check It Out` hitmaker - who is one of a number of stars reportedly being lined up to join the judging panel of the music mogul`s talent show `The X Factor USA` - admitted she dreams about the 51-year-old star "every night".

She told MTV News: "I love Simon very dearly. He`s such an amazing man. I had the pleasure of meeting him and my life will never be the same, darling. I told him that.

"I was absolutely in love with him prior to meeting him. And now that I`ve met him, I dream about him every night."

Despite refusing to confirm or deny whether she would be joining Simon and record producer L.A. Reid on the judging panel of the new show, Nicki expects `The X Factor USA` to be "dope".

She added: "I know the show is gonna be dope because Simon is dope and I wish them luck."

The 26-year-old rapper recently admitted she is often in a "state of shock" over the level of her fame.

Nicki said: "Sometimes it feels like I`m on the outside looking in. I`ve grown up seeing what happens to the likes of Britney Spears, but I never imagined that one day that would happen to me. But people freakin` dream of this, it`s not just supposed to happen and there is no guarantee that it will last.

"I`m trying to make sure it doesn`t affect me in the wrong way. And I guess I`m in a state of shock, too."
sections: Celebrities