In March we learned that producer L.A. Reid had signed on to be one of the judges of the US version of The X Factor and earlier this month we learned that UK X Factor judge and popstar Cheryl Cole will reportedly be coming on board to judge the US version of the show as [...]
In March we learned that producer L.A. Reid had signed on to be one of the judges of the US version of The X Factor and earlier this month we learned that UK X Factor judge and popstar Cheryl Cole will reportedly be coming on board to judge the US version of the show as well. Today, in a new interview, we learn from X Factor creator/judge Simon Cowell himself that the former American Idol judge Paula Abdul will round out the judging panel as the final judge … that is if he gets his way. Apparently, the contract negotiations aren’t yet completed … but Simon wants Paula on X Factor and what Simon wants, he usually gets.
Cowell tells me that in addition to himself and Antonio “L.A.” Reid, the chairman of Island Def Jam Music Group who resigned to join The X Factor panel on Fox (and about whom Simon said “was my No. 1 choice to sit alongside me on the show”), he has made up his mind to bring back Paula Abdul beside him and to add a Brit singer … who’s unknown to American audiences, Cheryl Cole. Of course, Cowell was once an unknown here, too. I understand from Cowell that negotiations for Abdul’s deal hasn’t even started and that Cole’s deal isn’t quite done yet. And of course, he could change his mind … “I’ve always wanted Paula. Always been very vocal about that. I missed her the second she left the show. Always loved working with her even though she can be a pain. And I’ve been consistent about this. I don’t know what it is about her, but I’ve always clicked with her. You just have to get that chemistry, and she’s right. I’ve never found anyone better than her. I think there’s a good chance it will be her. We’ve agreed that we would meet as many people as possible, and now we’re reaching the deadline we’ve got to make the decision soon. But I think she’s got a really good shot.” But Cowell poo-poo’ed my suggestion that Abdul now may be too overexposed after serving as a judge on American Idol for 8 years … Simon and Abdul are close friends and he made no secret on and off Idol that he didn’t want her to leave and that he disliked her successors, Kara DioGuardi and Ellen DeGeneres.
Wow … I know there has been talk since the US version of X Factor was announced years ago that Simon would bring Paula on to be a judge on the show … but in all honesty, I never believed it. While I have no doubt that Simon and Paula are friends, I would’ve bet good money that his focus would be on finding a hot new judge. Bringing Cheryl Cole from the UK version of the show to the US version also seems like a wasted opportunity … but, then again, Cole is pretty unknown here in the US. I can’t help but have a soft spot in my heart for Paula Abdul (who I LOVED on a Britney Spears level back in high school) so it’ll be nice to see her reunited with Simon on The X Factor. Again, contracts haven’t yet been finalized so … anything could happen. Still, I think it’ll be very nice to see Paula back to work on a big show like this. What do y’all think … is Paula Abdul the right choice to judge The X Factor?
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