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It’s official! Following months of speculation, Simon Cowell confirmed over the weekend that Paula Abdul will indeed be a judge on his new show The X-Factor.
“This show would never have been the same without Paula and I can’t believe I am saying this, [but] I have missed her a lot, and I am thrilled she’s on the show,” Simon, 51, said in a statement Sunday afternoon about reuniting with Paula, 48, after judging with her on American Idol.
Paula also expressed her excitement at having a job again doing the show. “I am excited beyond words to be a part of The X Factor,” said Paula. “I couldn’t be happier to bring my love for cultivating talent and performance to such a wildly anticipated show.”
And despite the rumors that Nicole Scherzinger would be a judge on the show, it was announced yesterday that she will co-host the new series with British TV personality Steve Jones.
X-Factor began its first round of auditions in Los Angeles yesterday and is scheduled to debut in September. Joining Paula and Simon on the judging panel are British singer Cheryl Cole and former Def Jam president L.A. Reid. Simon announced months ago that the winner of the competition will receive an astonishing $5 million recording deal!
Photos below from yesterday’s LA auditions!
TELL US – ARE YOU EXCITED TO SEE PAULA RETURN TO TV? THOUGHTS ON THE X-FACTOR SHOW & JUDGING PANEL?
Yes, for whatever reason Simon and Paula have chemistry onair. Also think the DefJam producer is good choice. Have absolutely no idea who the other 2 are. XFactor-UK is great, and remain hopeful Simon will bring that level to America’s version.
I adore Cheryl Cole! I think people in the U.S. will really start to like her. She’s become Britain’s sweetheart the past few years on X Factor over there.
She was married to a bit football (soccer for us in the U.S.) player. They were married for a few years until a string of cheating scandals came out. The women he was with sold out to the tabloids and the text messages were flashed all over the press. Cheryl stuck by him at first and then finally broke it off. She’s been through a lot in the public eye.
*big* not bit
I’ve heard about Britain’s X-Factir factor for years. I’ll check it out. I love reality shows like that.
I should also say that Cheryl Cole was in an all girls group called Girls Aloud, similar to Spice Girls. The group was created following a singing competiton. They have had massive hits in the UK but the record label never brought them to the U.S. They have sold more records than any other group in U.K.’s history.
BOOOOORRRRING. SO OVER IT.