Tyler addresses Minaj’s ‘racist’ claim

Steven Tyler is apologizing – if Nicki Minaj misinterpreted his recent comments.

The former “American Idol” judge and Aerosmith frontman responded to Minaj’s claim that he’s a racist.

Minaj took offense to comments Tyler made during an MTV interview in which he said Bob Dylan would likely be immediately dismissed from this year’s show.

“Idol” premieres Jan. 16 on the Fox network with Minaj, Mariah Carey and Keith Urban serving as new judges. The rapper called the comment racist and fired an expletive at the Aerosmith frontman, as well.

During an interview with the Canadian entertainment news program “eTalk,” Tyler spoke directly to Minaj, saying: “I apologize if it was taken wrong, Nicki.”

“I am the farthest from – what did she say I was? – a racist,” Tyler said in the interview. “I’m the last thing on this planet as far as being a racist. I don’t know where she got that out of me saying I’m not sure how she would have judged Bob Dylan. I was just saying that if Bob Dylan came on the show, he would’ve been thrown off, so maybe I spoke out of turn. But a racist I am not, Nicki.”

Bon Jovi, Grohl added to Sandy benefit

Jon Bon Jovi, Dave Grohl and Eddie Vedder are adding to the star power at next month’s Superstorm Sandy benefit concert at Madison Square Garden.

A news release says the three rock stars will join Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Paul McCartney, Kanye West, Roger Waters, Alicia Keys, The Who, Billy Joel and others on Dec. 12 to raise money for the Robin Hood Relief Fund to benefit devastated areas of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

Tickets for the concert, dubbed “12-12-12,” go on sale Monday at 9 a.m. PST.

Katy Perry is adding some new scents to her perfume line.

The singer and songwriter is to develop a line of signature scents with beauty company Coty Inc., according to an announcement released Wednesday. Coty will distribute them on a larger scale than the Purr and Meow! perfumes that Perry previously crafted.

The company says Perry’s “unique approach to music and life” will drive her inspiration, and move toward “new avenues of scent creation.”

Other pop stars to concoct their own fragrances include Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez and Taylor Swift.

The birthday bunch

Actress Julie Harris is 87. Actress Cathy Lee Crosby is 68. Bassist Rick Savage (Def Leppard) is 52. Bassist Nate Mendel (Foo Fighters) is 44. Actress Lucy Liu is 44. Bassist Nate Mendel (Foo Fighters) is 44. Singer Nelly Furtado is 34. Singer Britney Spears is 31.