Why Did Cheryl Cole Get Booted From U.S. 'X Factor'?

By Elizabeth Yun Posted May 26th 2011 02:56PM

It's official: British beauty Cheryl Cole has been ousted from her judging seat on the U.S. edition of the 'The X Factor' in favor of Pussycat Dolls lead singer Nicole Scherzinger. Scherzinger previously served as a guest judge on the original U.K. version of the singing competition where she thoroughly impressed both producers and her fellow judges.

Cole rose to fame when she won a competition to become a member of the popular British girl group Girls Aloud in 2002. She signed on to become a permanent judge on Simon Cowell's 'X Factor' in 2008, replacing Sharon Osbourne. The adorable starlet became an instant fan favorite, which also propelled her new solo career. Two years later, when she went through a very public divorce from her soccer star husband, Ashley Cole, in the midst of a cheating scandal, it only made fans love her more.

But her popularity didn't immediately translate when Cowell confirmed her as his first choice to judge the stateside version of his wildly popular show. The general consensus was "Cheryl who?" but Cowell stood by his choice, convinced she'd win over fans on this side of the pond as well.

FOX, which will begin to air the series this fall, apparently didn't agree. Reports emerged yesterday that Cole, who quit the U.K. gig to focus on its U.S. counterpart, was getting the boot -- reports that were confirmed today. And now everyone is speculating as to what caused the shake-up.

The juiciest rumor to emerge is the obligatory "feuding divas" shtick. Media outlets are reporting that Cole and fellow judge Paula Abdul (Cowell's former 'American Idol' judging nemesis) just didn't have any "chemistry." However, the two seemed to be getting along swimmingly when Abdul posted a photo of her and Cole on Twitter in early May and called her "lovely."

But other reports paint a much simpler picture. FOX was concerned that her thick Geordie accent would just be too darn confusing for American audiences. Cole, who hails from Newcastle in northeastern England, actually endeared herself to Brits with her Geordie inflection. Upon hearing news of her ouster, comedian Russell Brand poked fun at the star exclaiming, "Our Cheryl? That cannae be right!" He added that she is "Britain's sweetheart."

Unfortunately, Cole won't have an opportunity to become America's next sweetheart as well.

Tags: cheryl cole, fox, nicole scherzinger, X Factor

Comments

(87)

Thursday 26 May

By Starry

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Well good job you idiots. I WILL NOT BE WATCHING US X FACTOR WITHOUT CHERYL COLE. You people just have no idea how you screwed yourselves. She would have been a huge hit here in the US. Damn fools.

Friday 27 May

By Shawn

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Actually, WE didn't "screw ourselves," since most of us had never even heard of "X Factor" before Simon started pitching it, and none of us had ever heard of Cheryl Cole.

If anyone screwed anyone, it was the TV exec's that pay themselves 7 figure salaries to make such decisions.

Personally, I love Brit/Irish/Scot accents.

By slivers

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Goodie goodie for you! Ya thnk that scares them? JEEEZE!

By GOOD LOOKING

LOLOLOLOL

By elusive one

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You seem testy.

By Sekinu2

Lol you couldn't even understand what the hell she was saying. She is the equivilent to a mush mouth talker where sounds came out but they made no sense.

Saturday 28 May

By Shay

EXACTLY

To be clear, I was saying the producers screwed themselves because anyone that HAS followed Cheryl and her success would see what a hit she could have been. I was personally bummed out about her being booted. :(

By Ivey

I WILL NOT be watching either! Cheryl is an amazing woman!
This reeks of discrimination!

Discrimination.

Wow.

Let me guess...you define yourself as "progressive"??

By BEN

Discrimination?? Because the American public can't understand half of what she says?? With your logic she might as well be replaced by someone who speaks no english

By Rachel

One can certainly see that you a not a man with discriminating taste.

By mary

I think it's a mistake as well, I was planning on watching but now that Nicole is on I will not, I don't think she's that likeable!! anyway....

By Nope

I disagree

By Kimmieb17

Never heard of her until today. Doesn't matter to me if she is on the show or not. No offense. +

By lakat

She is better off without the dysfunctional Cowell and Abdul. I heard they told her to break up with boyfriend Derek Hough because she would be more popular single and Derek is a C celeb. I hope she told them no and that's why they axed her. GOOD FOR YOU, Cheryl! I will watch your career.

By gemily1979

Paula Abdul drives me crazy....I was so happy to see her leave Idol. When I heard she was picked to be on X Factor, that was when I decided not to watch it. Besides, these shows are run by the teeny bopper girls who just vote for the young boys...After this season with Idol, I am over all of them!

By gobluespartyon

I'm excited for X-Factor didn't matter to me if they kept Cheryl or not don't get why some will not watch just because Cheryl isn't going to be on X-Factor I think it's dumb stupid to do that. I like the replacement of Nicole Schezinger she will be a pretty good judge she was pretty good on The Sing-Off.

By Nicole

People don't want to watch it now because Cheryl was gonna add something different to the show that the american public hasn't seen it yet in a judge. We've already seen Nicole judge and she's not that good. if you watched the British X factor Cheryl is charming, gives good advice, and very supportive of her group.

By Lisa

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you made a BIG MISTAKE YOU IDIOTS. I WILL NOT BE WATCHING FOX NO MORE. CHERYL IS AWESOME

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