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Paula Abdul Closes Her Deal For ‘X Factor’
‘X FACTOR DRAMA: Paula Abdul Asked To Judge Without Done Deal
SIMON COWELL Interviewed: He Reveals ’The X Factor’ Judges
Fox Broadcasting announced just now:
Paula Abdul will join Cheryl Cole, Antonio “L.A.” Reid and Simon Cowell as a judge on THE X FACTOR, the highly anticipated singing competition series debuting this fall on FOX. Abdul, who sat alongside Cowell for eight seasons as a judge on AMERICAN IDOL, has worldwide album sales exceeding 50 million records, two No. 1 albums, six No. 1 singles, a Grammy Award, seven MTV Awards, two Emmy Awards, two People’s Choice Awards and two Kids’ Choice Awards. Abdul will join Cole, Cowell, and Reid as they travel to THE X FACTOR audition cities searching for the next global superstar or breakout music group.
“This show would never have been the same without Paula and I can’t believe I am saying this – I have missed her a lot, and I am thrilled she’s on the show,” said Simon Cowell.
“I am excited beyond words to be a part of THE X FACTOR. I couldn’t be happier to bring my love for cultivating talent and performance to such a wildly anticipated show,” said Paula Abdul. “I’m looking forward to being back with the FOX/FremantleMedia family and know that it will be an extraordinary journey — we’re going to have a blast. I’m also delighted and grateful to be sitting next to Simon again…but you might want to check back with me in a week or two!”
“Paula is not only the lovely, nurturing person that America fell in love with, but she’s also one of the fiercest competitors I’ve ever seen — which makes her a perfect fit to judge THE X FACTOR,” said Mike Darnell, President of Alternative Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. “Paula and Simon have undeniable chemistry, and together with L.A. Reid and Cheryl Cole, I think we’ve put together an incredibly entertaining judges’ panel.”
“I’m thrilled to be working with Paula again,” says executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz. “A consummate entertainer in her own right, she has an extraordinary talent and generosity for nurturing performers — and her chemistry with Simon Cowell is like no other. I especially look forward to seeing her signature sensibilities in action during our mentoring rounds!”
Editor-in-Chief Nikki Finke - tip her here.
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Wow! TWO Kid Choice Awards?? Yep, she’s qualified. Abdul cannot sing. She’s one step above Britney because SHE actually can dance. What she brings is the loopy, medicated ying to Simon’s yang and people love a trainwreck and he knows it. Nice to see her off the unemployment line but yeah, still not watching this show.
She has won a Grammy and an Emmy. Yes, she can sing.
Sell 50 million records worldwide and I’ll take your comment seriously.
It would be good if they include guest judges on the panel from the UK X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent such as Dannii Minogue, Louis Walsh and Amanda Holden.
Glad Fox and Freemantle love Abdul so much – too bad they didnt feel that way 2 years ago when they dumped her from Idol. So disappointed in Simon – XF seems like a big let down that is just a redo of Idol – but in the fall instead of winter. So much for big names – Is the show about judges chemistry or finding a 5 million superstar? Or is this gonna be Idol 2.o where we focus entirely on the judges and dont care about the talent and wh ether they are even in the news a year from now. Cole bragged about her winning contestants…her last winner Joe McElderry has already been dropped from Simons label. So much for mentoring talent!!! Simon promised big stars and we get to go back to the fu ture and watch fake banter and conflict between simon and paula…and throw in a nobody like Cole – who will now become a huge US star unless the sh ow bombs..Reports already say that JAyZ is trying to sign her to a music career. UGH Abdul had a hit record decades ago!! This show doesnt have a single current music star – unlike NBC which at least got big talent – but likewise has a boring s how
I take it jimmi that you have never heard of Cheryl Crow?? you must be in the dark ages or something. She is a great artist in her own right as well as having a hit single with Kid Rock. Paula is wonderful too. If you don’t know anything about the current music out there then you should not make any comments about it. I myself am looking forward to seeing The X Factor.
Ok I guess I should have put my glasses on. I know when to apologize. I was incorrect in the name Cheryl Crow. It is Cheryl Cole. My bad and I am sorry for my comment.
I think Mike Darnell said it all: it’s going to be an incredibly entertaining judges’ panel.
at least the coverage of this is mostly over unless there’s some controversy like the autotune issue in the UK version.
The show is just another American Idol type show with a lot of the same familiar faces. Fox gets a nice pay day by having full Fall/Spring singing competitions.
Nope. Actually TWO Emmys, 50 million records, two No. 1 albums, six No. 1 singles, a Grammy Award, seven MTV Awards, two Emmy Awards, two People’s Choice Awards and two Kids’ Choice Awards.
And she’s not qualified? She has judged for eight years!
Hey, hey Paula…try not to sleep with the cute contestants this time and, you know, destroy any shred of impartiality and legitimacy this abomination might have (restraining laughter).
And no, I most certainly am not watching this dreck, either.
Despite the naysayers … This is a reunion worth watching. They have chemistry whether or not its pharmaceutically enhanced. She makes a better judge then Jennifer Lopez who is only out to promote herself and didn’t deliver a single insightful or honest critique this season on Idol. Here is hoping she is replaced next season. The Voice on NBC is proving there is an audience for more then 1 singing competition. People like to watch dreams come true and that’s what these shows are truly about.
Side note: I think THE VOICE would benefit from switching up the coaching panel every year. Brings the potential for an “all-stars coaching panel” down the line. I am surprised at how much I am enjoying it when I originally thought it would be DOA.
I totally agree Obvi!
I am beyond excited for this show. I’ve never been a fan of Paula, but I am excited overall at the judging panel. America and Canada are about to fall in love with Cheryl Cole, and with Simon all over again!
I went to the 7pm filming in LA on Sunday. Far more entertaining than American Idol. It’s essentially going to be to the coastal states what American Idol is to the Heartland states.
I’m so excited that simon and paula are reunited. I hear that reid is brutal…
She held out for a better deal and for XFactor it’ll be well worth it. Great job team Paula!
I like Paula and the ‘Paula and Simon’ team but Simon is trying to make the untalented mimer but ‘pretty in designer gear’ Cheryl Cole a superstar in America and will stop at nothing it seems. He will sit next to Cheryl Cole or in between Paula and Cheryl. He will not exclude Cheryl Cole. Welcome to the Simon and Cheryl Show USA – this show is not about the talent at all. Glad that boring Cheryl Cole is the USA and hope she stays there.