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NO 'IDOL' FOR JUDGE'S MENTOR MULTIPLE IMAGES FOR ACTRESS WHO SAID WHAT

"American Idol" picked Nicki Minaj as a judge to draw in viewers, but she's actually discouraged at least one person from watching it -- her mentor, Lil Wayne.

The rap star admitted Friday that he has yet to see "Idol" this season -- or any other season.

"Actually, I've never watched it," he said, a bit sheepishly.

Part of the reason he hasn't tuned in to see Minaj is because she didn't exactly sell the show to Lil Wayne.

"When I talk to her she always tells me, 'You don't wanna watch that, you're not going to be into it,' " he said.

Kerry Washington was a triple threat at the NAACP Image Awards.

The star of ABC's "Scandal" picked up a trio of trophies at the 44th annual ceremony: outstanding actress in a drama series for "Scandal," supporting actress in a motion picture for "Django Unchained" and the President's Award, which is given in recognition of special achievement and exceptional public service.

"This award does not belong to me," said Washington, who plays a slave separated from her husband in "Django Unchained," as she picked up her first trophy of the evening for her role in the film directed by Quentin Tarantino. "It belongs to our ancestors. We shot this film on a slave plantation, and they were with us along every step of the way."

Don Cheadle was awarded the outstanding actor in a comedy series trophy for his role as a slick management consultant in Showtime's "House of Lies."

A few winners weren't present at the Shrine Auditorium to pick up their trophies, including Denzel Washington for outstanding actor in a motion picture for "Flight," Viola Davis for outstanding actress in a motion picture for "Won't Back Down" and Omar Epps for supporting actor in a drama series for Fox's "House."

"Red Tails," the drama about the Tuskegee Airmen, was honored as outstanding motion picture.

LL Cool J, who was honored as outstanding actor in a drama series for CBS' "NCIS: Los Angeles," dedicated his trophy to fellow nominee Michael Clarke Duncan, "The Green Mile" and "The Finder" actor who died last year.

"I wish his family well," said LL. "Let's give it up for him."

Sidney Poitier presented Harry Belafonte with the Spingarn Award, which honors outstanding achievement by an African American.

Other winners included Loretta Devine as supporting actress in a drama series for "Grey's Anatomy," Cassi Davis as outstanding actress in a comedy series and Lance Gross as outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series for TBS' "Tyler Perry's House of Payne."

"Are you thrilled about Super Bowl XLVII? Are you ready to go? The 50-yard line is where you'd want to sit, right? From there you are so close you can smell the deer antler spray." -- David Letterman

From our wire services