Mariah Carey American Idol--Mariah Carey is never one to mince words -- and in a brand new interview, she totally BASHED her former employer, "American Idol."
While sipping champagne with Angie Martinez on HOT 97, Mimi threw some serious shade at the Fox reality TV show ... and may have compared Nicki Minaj to "Satan."

Yeah, it was a good interview. The "Idol" talk starts around the 10 minute mark.

When asked what she thought about working on the show, Carey didn't hold back.

"Honestly, I hated it," she said. "I thought it was going to be a 3-person panel ... but it wasn't that. It was like going to work every day in Hell with Satan."

While she then laughed it all off, saying "I'm just playing, it didn't affect me that much," it's pretty clear she means what she's saying.

She went on the diss the behind the scenes actions at the show, saying there were people she thought should have gone through but didn't for "political" reasons.

As we previously reported, neither Mariah or Nicki will return to the show this season. Instead, Keith Urban will be joined by Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick, Jr., with Randy Jackson taking on a mentor role.

The 13th season of "Idol" will premiere January 15.