Nicole's got the Sex Factor: Scherzinger won't have any problems pulling in viewers as it's confirmed she IS replacing Cheryl Cole on U.S. show

By ANDREA MAGRATH

The Sex Factor: Nicole Scherzinger was pictured taking a dip in her hotel in France last week


The ongoing saga of the U.S. X Factor judging panel may finally be over.

Show bosses have announced that Nicole Scherzinger will indeed be replacing Cheryl Cole.

And the Pussycat Doll proved perhaps why she became a favourite of show bosses as she cooled off in a pool in France last week.

The 32-year-old stripped down to a white bikini and flimsy T-shirt to take a dip at her hotel in southern France before flying back to the UK.

Nicole filmed an appearance on the Graham Norton show today, but will be jetting off again soon to start her new role at the New Jersey auditions on Wednesday.

It emerged over the weekend that Cole had been invited to return to her role after being fired a fortnight ago, but the 27-year-old has snubbed the offer, leaving the Pussycat Doll free to take her place.


Finally confirmed: X Factor have announced that Nicole Scherzinger IS replacing Cheryl Cole on the judging panel


Fox, FremantleMedia North America and Syco TV released a statement this afternoon announcing the news.

It read: 'Nicole Scherzinger will be replacing Cheryl Cole on the judging panel of The X Factor.

'Nicole will join Simon Cowell, L.A. Reid and Paula Abdul on their search across America to find the next global superstar or group to win the life-changing $5million dollar recording deal.


The smile says it all: Nicole is in the UK where she was pictured at the ITV studios today ahead of flying back to the U.S. for X Factor auditions on Wednesday


'Nicole has previously joined Simon Cowell as a guest judge on The X Factor for the UK version of the show in 2010. Steve Jones will act as sole host of The X Factor.'

Show bosses did an unexpected U-turn when they offered Cheryl her job back on Saturday.

She was given 24 hours to decide, but after previously knocking back a consolation-style offer of returning to her old post on the UK version, Cheryl now appears to be severing ties with the franchise.


She's got talent: Nicole, pictured performing on Britain's Got Talent last week, will be joining Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and L.A. Reid following Cheryl's departure


Show sources were quick to point out that an official comment had never been released confirming Mrs Cole’s axing – and that her picture and biography had been kept up on the Fox X Factor website.

But friends of the Girls Aloud star believe their silence is part of Fox executives' plan to wriggle out of paying Cheryl out - as they were banking on her not turning up to the next auditions on Wednesday, making her in breach of contract.

But the singer is thought to have threatened to make public emails and text messages that prove she was indeed fired, the Daily Mirror claim.


Thanks but no thanks: Cheryl turned down Fox's offer to return to the U.S. version


Nicole Scherzinger feat. 50 CENT - Right There (Live American Idol)


source: dailymail

Cheryl Cole's American dream back on? Singer 'invited to rejoin X Factor USA'

By LARA GOULD

Friends again? Simon Cowell has managed to convince Fox executives Cheryl Cole is right for X Factor USA


Cheryl Cole was offered her job back on the X Factor USA last night – less than two weeks after being axed from the show.

The 27-year-old Girls Aloud singer and former judge on the British series was dropped amid claims that viewers couldn’t understand her Geordie accent and criticism of her performance on the panel.

But in a shock U-turn, Fox Television executives have given her a second chance after a personal intervention by X Factor supremo Simon Cowell.

Last night it remained unclear whether she would accept the offer, with a source saying: ‘The ball is in her court.’

The US network and Cowell have been criticised after it emerged Fox’s President of Alternative Entertainment, Mike Darnell – dubbed

the Rumpelstiltskin of Reality TV because of his 5ft 2in height – ordered Miss Cole off the show after he watched footage of her on the panel last month.

Significantly, since then, neither Fox nor Cowell’s representatives have released a statement confirming that Miss Cole had been sacked.

If Miss Cole – who has not been seen in public since she was axed from the show – decides to accept the offer, she could be back on the panel when auditions resume in New Jersey this week.


Back in the line-up? Cole with X Factor USA judges Antonio 'L.A.' Reid, Paula Abdul and Cowell and co-hosts Steve Jones and Nicole Scherzinger


If she agrees to the move, it would see Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger – who was given Cheryl’s place on the panel after her sudden exit – relegated to her original role as co-host with British TV pre¬senter Steve Jones.

But there was speculation the offer could be a plot by the American TV network to stave off any legal claim that Miss Cole could make for compensation against her sacking.

She was expected to receive a £1.2million payout in compensation despite filming only four episodes of the £100million series. However, if she then chooses not to accept Fox’s offer, it could reduce any payment the network would have to pay out.

Last night a spokesman for Miss Cole did not return calls.


A judge or co-host? Cheryl's return will mean Scherzinger - who performed on Britain's Got Talent last night - will revert to presenting


Miss Cole, one of four judges on the panel alongside Cowell, Paula Abdul and record producer L. A. Reid, flew back to Britain two weeks ago.

No official explanation has yet emerged as to why Miss Cole was dropped and sources close to her said she was not told why.

However, Fox executives were said to have complained about the ‘lack of chemistry’ between her and fellow judge Miss Abdul and concerns were raised about Miss Cole’s accent.

She was also criticised for her fashion sense and hairstyle after she arrived for her first day on the panel in purple trousers, an orange top and a backcombed hairstyle which Simon Cowell later said looked as if it was created in a wind tunnel.

Last week, British television executives gave Miss Cole the chance to resume her place on the ITV show – but she declined their offer after failing to respond to a deadline set for midnight last Saturday.

A source close to Cowell said last night: ‘Simon is staying out of this now. He has offered an olive branch but he is leaving the decisions up to Fox and Freemantle, the production company.


New panel: Louis Walsh is joined by Kelly Rowland, Tulisa Contostavlos and Gary Barlow at the Birmingham auditions of X Factor last week


‘Cheryl was offered the UK show because it was thought that would have made her happier. He just wants whatever is best for Cheryl.’

Her U.S. manager, Black Eyed Peas rapper Will.i.am said last week: 'Cheryl always comes back stronger, and she always comes back bigger. Cheryl has been through rougher things than this, so this is going to be no problem for her.

'It's easy to imagine Simon as this one-man empire, but that's not the case.

'He has people he needs to answer to and sometimes his hands are tied. I can only tell you what I've seen first-hand, that's a guy who deeply cares for her.'

The latest development comes just a few days after it was confirmed Mrs Cole would not be returning to the original UK X Factor.

Instead Gary Barlow, Tulisa Contostavlos and Kelly Rowland joined the only remaining judge Louis Walsh on the panel at the Birmingham auditions last week.

Walsh said he had spoken to Cole and she was doing 'fine'.

He said: 'I talked to Cheryl today - we’ve been texting all day and we’re having fun. I think she’s going to be fine.

'Listen, from her texts today she’s absolutely fine.'


Nicole Scherzinger Rocks Britain's Got Talent 2011

source: dailymail

Pussycat Nicole Scherzinger shows a softer side as she hugs fans... after getting her claws into Cheryl Cole's X Factor job

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Me, ruthless? Nicole Scherzinger, who is set to replace Cheryl Cole as a judge on the U.S. X Factor, puts on an affectionate show with fans outside her hotel in Paris, France, today


Nicole Scherzinger has struggled to wipe the smug grin off her face since managing to snare Cheryl Cole's U.S. X Factor job last week.

But perhaps the Machiavellian singer, who has been promoted from co-host to judge in the wake of Cole's sacking, was attempting to show a softer side today as she put on an affectionate display with fans.

The former Pussycat Doll put on her best smile as she greeted a small crowd of young supporters, who were waiting for her outside her hotel in Paris, France.


Check me out: The singer showed off her toned figure in a form-fitting beige dress and thigh-skimming animal print bots


The 32-year-old star look perfectly groomed in a form-fitting asymmetrical beige dress, teamed with thigh-skimming animal print boots.

Of course, Nicole is no stranger to ruffling feathers.

Back in 2009 the Pussycat Dolls, of which she was the frontwoman, imploded amid reports of infighting and jealously.

The other girls were said to be bitter about Scherzinger's rising profile - while all they got to do was be her backing dancers.

Nicole has since admitted she has not remained in touch with her former gal pals - Carmit Bachar, Melody Thornton, Jessica Sutta, Ashley Roberts and Kimberly Wyatt.

She is now focused on her solo career and, of course, the U.S. X Factor and the exposure it will give her.


Moving on up: Nicole pictured last month with Cole (R), Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, LA Ried and Steve Jones (L)


Last December, Scherzinger coolly glossed the acrimony between herself and other members of the Pussycat Dolls, merely saying rows were 'inevitable'.

Nicole flew to Europe a few days ago to support her motor racing driver boyfriend in the Monaco Grand Prix.



Queen bee: As the former frontwoman of the Pussycat Dolls, Nicole isn't used to taking second place


source: dailymail