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 bestbunny10

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No one and I repeat no one would be able to understand Cheryl Cole. She speaks in a heavy northern accent. She is beautiful but very very provincial...quite irritating actually.

By JBaer

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Aww...poor shallow FOX executives didn't think Cheryl and Paula would have big enough catfights leading to huge ratings.

Friday 27 May

By Denise

DITTO

But at least it's a show that is half way decent for the Kids to watch..

Better than Half the Garbage out there

WE DVD-R it and let the kids watch it before bed..

By dona hudson

All they need is simon and paula anyway --they are the best...never heard of the girl who was fired. so glad paula is back. I think the best judges should be simon, paula. and then a really famous guest appearance every week. 2 reasons keeps everyone watching the show to see who the guest will be... second it will good for the contestants-no favorites by the same judge everyweek

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Nicle Sherzinger is not only gorgeous, intelligent and fun but she is also a singer and dancer...She could teach Cheryl a few things..

By bigD

Isn't Nicole that stripper from the P*ssycat Dolls? I don't get how she is qualified to judge anyone? What success has she had other than Dancing with the Stars which shouldn't really count since she's a dancer/singer for a living.

By Julie

Huge mistake!

By JFMayer

Idiots! Cheryl would have been awesome, now I have no inclination to watch it.

By JAA

I can't believe this. Cheryl Cole was great at the auditions. Why was she sacked? The show hasn't even premiered yet. I wanted to see her on my TV screen. And Nicole Flopsinger replacing her? You've got to be kidding me.

By Robbie

About time a dent is put in this new wave of British invasion. No doubt the Anglophiles will be vexed, however, our homegrown talent will get a chance to shine. Get in, Nicole! Do us proud.

By Ucccft

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
At last the Truth!
We are all very sick of all the very CRUDE British taking over all thanks to all the Anglophiles and the Racist Brits.

By DAVEY BOY

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More Simon Cowell junk--always more about the judges than the singing talent. Go away, X-Factor.

By Jackie

Should ax Paula. She sucks.

By Bev

Let's see just a few days ago Cheryl Cole was willing to dump her boyfriend and do whatever it takes to get ahead in show business and now she's been dumped. What makes her America's sweetheart.

By jennd

Cheryl is fantastic and if you don't know who she is, you don't know what you are missing. I like Nicole, but I love Cheryl. Oh, and don't believe all the rumors about having to break up with her boyfriend, they are just stupid rumors. Bring back Cheryl!!!

By jedsil

Okay, let me get this straight. Everyday, there are athletes on TV explaining some play they made, or didn't make, and I can barely understand a word they say. Then, we have our visitors from south of the border. Try understanding more than every third or fourth word they say. Now, we have a white, English speaking woman, who's already been on the same show in the UK and FOX is firing her because she doesn't speak English well enough? This story is either a lie designed to cover some other issue, or the deficiencies of the American education system are finally perculating to our top decision makers.

By michael

trust me....she`s not that popular in Britain..a lot of people regard her as a talentless bimbo

By gposner29

Actually you'll be doing yourselves and the public a huge favor by simply cancelling the show as well.

As with all Simon Cowell shows, it's about the judges and not the quality of singing talent. This is yet another example. The X-Factor already stinks and it's smelling worse before it gets on the air. Please, Simon, take your X-Factor back across the Pond.

By janet

Robbie,you hit it right on the nail,w/all the british crossing over the pond invading American tv its getting harder and harder to tell if I am living in America on the UK,as if we don't have qualify Americans here who need jobs.Another form of outsource.Wake up people its called cheap labor,

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