If you ask me, Nicki is just an example of the way of the current generation of popstars. They are all full of themselfs, think they are bigger than they are, foul mouthed and disrespectful and in your face. It's the reality tv generation, the twitter/facebook generation, big egos, elevated self opinions, voyeurism.
The generation mariah, and Janet etc come from is one that still kept their business private, understood how to give the 'diva' without ego, and be humble at the same time. Not to mention, they came from a time when you could succeed without having to strip off or wear stupid pink wigs. They also know how to respect the ones before them that paved the way.