Paula Abdul Hired as 'X Factor' Judge; Nicole Scherzinger and Steve Jones to Co-host

By Christine Fenno Posted May 8th 2011 08:27AM

The 'X Factor' judging panel is complete, with the final chair to be filled by Paula Abdul, who just closed the deal in last-minute negotiations, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Abdul will take her seat alongside Simon Cowell, reuniting the former 'Idol' stars once again. Cheryl Cole and Antonio 'L.A.' Reid have already been named as the other 'X Factor' judges.

Meanwhile, Pussycat Doll and former 'Dancing With the Stars' champ Nicole Scherzinger has been hired to host the U.S. talent competition when it premieres on Fox in September.

But Scherzinger will have a co-host, according to EW.com: Steve Jones, British TV personality. Jones, 34, is a Welsh-born former model and a virtual unknown in the U.S. (Of course, Ryan Seacrest was largely unknown when he was tapped to emcee 'American Idol,' and the gig seems to have worked out for him!) Jones reportedly was down to the wire competing for the 'X Factor' job against 'High School Musical' star Corbin Bleu.

Scherzinger, 32, wowed producers when she was a guest judge on a recent episode of the 'X Factor' in the U.K., where she also released a hit single this year, 'Don't Hold Your Breath.'

Abdul, 48, reportedly hammered out her new contract just in the nick of time: The judging rounds of 'X Factor' begin taping in Los Angeles today.

Tags: American Idol, nicole scherzinger, paula abdul, simon cowell, X Factor

Comments

(22)

Sunday 08 May

By stu

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YAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWN!!!! Same old.. same old...
The Voice is the new flavor! Take ur lame idea back to london simon.

By Donna

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Another show I won't be watching.....

By cheryl

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I was really looking forward to Simon's new show...
The X factor.... however, I WILL NOT watch anything that has
Paula Abdul in it !!! Can't stand to watch or listen to a stuttering BOOZER !! Sorry Simon !!

By marina

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Great to have Simon and Paula back together. The X factor will be a great hit. Can't wait until the show is on. Love the two together. They are so much fun to watch.

By Neil

Why show a picture of Paula? Who is Steve Jones? and why not show a picture of Cheryl Cole? Cheryl is an original, not a Paula

By debi

I couldn't stand watching her on idol, looks like I won't watch this show either.

By n

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After the season in which Elliot Yamin ( whom I just loved) went off air,..... That was it for me.
So it's been yrs. since iv'e seen that show. It didn't matter who they brought in as replacements, it just lost it's flavor for me.
AI lost so much of what made it a fun show to watch.

After reading that Simon & Paula will be on this new show.... You can bet I will tune in.

By Julia

Heh, I thought they meant the guy from the Sex Pistols, that Steve Jones. Now that would be funny.

By Nancy

What the hell was Simon thinking??? Now, I will not be watching the X Factor!!! Who want's to listen to Paula go on and on and afterwards we are left thinking,,,,, what did she just say?? She is a total idiot!!!!!!

By joanie

DITTO..WITH PAULA IN..I AM OUT...CANNOT STAND HER BABBLE.....

By Ed

Stu-pid who's it going?

By foxyfauxy

Looks like Cheryl Cole's adorable accent and dimples beat out Nicole for the judging spot. Though she is a good UK X Factor judge - even if few know of her in America. It's great that Nicole will still be on the show, but they don't need 2 hosts.

Sure, American Idol sucked without Paula, but I don't think Simon should attempt to redo the past by hiring her back. He wants something fresh in America, but this isn't the way. Getting someone younger who is/was actually established in America would have been great.

They could take a lesson from "The Voice." It isn't nearly as hyped as "X Factor" but they have talented and young judges who, as current superstars in their genre, appeal to a wide range of the large young audience it's bringing in.

By Kat2988

I like Paula, but i don't think that was a great idea, we have already been down that road. the other two judges don't sound that great either.

By rlnyny

I am very satisfied. Great job Simon!

By KG

That's it for Simon Cowell, I just lost respect for him and have to wonder if his constructive criticism of contestants was him givng honest critiques? In my opinion; his choice in reuniting with Paula Abdul and having this flubbing, illiterate phony as a judge is going to be the ruination of anther show! Young & Old, people with talent do need to hear honest, direct, coherent, literate constructive critiques to learn and grow from, not the sympathy ridden flubber! Well Simon Cowell, you've lost a fan and although I doubt if he even cares what others feel, I've lost the utmost respect for him!

Get over it! Paula Abdul didn't do well with her own previous show, she's not a good performer or choreographer, as shown on "So You Think You Can Dance and on American Idol!" Paula as a judge on American Idol was a joke, oozing over the young male contestants, flubbing her words, not coherent at all, PLEASE, young and old, do well with honest, constructive critiques, ones that are coherent, direct & to the point, not the slurring, flubbing illiterate whatever she said!
Boy, how low can Simon Cowell go, and what is he thinking???

By JBaer

Abdul rejoins Cowell. Yeah, I guess it's true--nothing succeeds like a gimmick.

By badass

blame Bristol.

By paul

By joe

I bet Paula sure can suck a weenie!!!

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