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Paula Abdul Won’t Return To ‘The X Factor’ In Season 2
Scherzinger & Jones Both Out Of ‘The X Factor’
UPDATED, 11:51 AM: Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Fox all released separate statements this morning about yesterday’s big shakeup on the network’s singing competition show The X Factor. The housecleaning after a lackluster first season included the departures of Abdul, fellow judge Nicole Sherzinger and host Steve Jones, and none of them left on their own accord. Here’s the statement from Cowell, who pulled the trigger on the changes, including on close friend Abdul, whom he shared the judges table with for years on American Idol:
“I want to say a massive thank you to Paula, Nicole and Steve for being part of The X Factor last year. We had a lot of fun making the show together and importantly, we found some real talent and stars. You do develop friendships with the people you work with and Paula, in particular, is a very close friend and I expect to be working with her on another project in the near future. I’m sure all three are going to have massive success in what they do next , but now is the time to thank them all for everything they did last year.”
Like Cowell, Fox alternative president Mike Darnell also stressed in his statement the desire to work with Abdul again:
“We love Paula. She is a remarkable talent and we appreciate all of her contributions. We’re lucky that she is a part of the FOX family, and we look forward to working with her again soon.”
Earlier this morning, Abdul broke her silence on her departure:
“Yes, it’s true; I won’t be returning to The X Factor next season. I’ve learned through my longevity in this industry that business decisions often times override personal considerations. Simon and I, along with Fox and Fremantle, have been communicating about this for a while now, and I have absolute understanding of the situation. Simon is, and will remain a dear friend of mine and I’ve treasured my experience working this past season with my extended family at Fox and Fremantle. I want nothing more than for The X Factor to exceed ALL of their wildest dreams. This truly has been a blessing and I am most grateful.”
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Somebody cut somebody a large severance check.
I would love to hear Paula’s true reaction instead of her PR reaction!
Big Misstakes removing Paula Abdul.She was that voice of pure,honesty,unigue positive sensitivity for the contestants and fans.Who Advise Simon Cowell to remove her had wrong motve.
Would love to have been a fly on the wall when she & Simon had that conversation. Not sure where she goes from here unless the Voice starts firing their judges.
It was a very dark show. By dark I mean literally quite dark in it’s lighting, and there felt to be almost a negative force behind it. It had this doomsday / coliseum quality too it…less about wish fulfillment then being judged. I found it to be quiet a turn off and only watched a couple eps. By that I guess I mean this is what happens with Cowell taking over and getting free rein. Host was horrible, bland, mean. Love Paula, always will…but maybe her light couldn’t shine in that environment, or maybe Cowell is blaming the wrong people for its so so performance. Nicole was decent too, I thought she handle herself really well, the job isn’t easy.
Ideas for Host of X-Factor show: Howie Mandell
Female judge: Tina Turner
Whitney Houston (just as bad as Steve Tyler)
One male judge: Billy Joel
Two male judge: Bono
Jon Bon Jovi
Billy Joel would be a great judge.
I was hoping Paula’s exit was just a rumor. I always enjoyed her interaction with Simon and liked her personality on television. That being said, I have a feeling the show will be stronger without her.
I also wonder how much her and Nicole’s decision that led to Rachel Crow’s exit affected their positions on the show…
That didn’t really matter because it’s a TV show first. Meaning the network loved it just for the buzz around it. These talent shows are about television not the person who wins in the end because for 99% of them… they will be forgotten.
I was hoping it was a rumor too. I liked her with Simon. Nicole was the big problem.
All things come full circle. The X Factor judge sideshow came long before air date and now continues again.
Change the name to The Simon Factor and move on!
Simon is not big on Descriptive Terminology….”Massive” thank you
“Massive Careers”…Poor Paula,she must be spinning to another side of the electron Universe…
Given that Paula was barely able to mentor given the rapid succession of the groups being eliminated, the already weak mentor panel with Sherzinger, the awkwardness of Jones as host and of course the middling ratings there were bound to be changes.
I suspect that FOX was smart enough to listen to viewer, or more importantly NON-viewer, feedback that pegged the show as an Idol Rip-Off with the inclusion of Paula confirming their perception. Removing her gives the show a different look and thus a different version of singing competition than Idol.
If only they gave Cheryl’s axing this much pampering and softening.
BRING BACK CHERYL COLE!
With Paula & others leaving-perhaps it can be renamed THE EX FACTOR!!
Paula should come do the UK one. I’m not a big follower or fan of the show but Tulisa isnt a good TV personality and we all know Kelly isn’t coming back. A bit of talent from across the pond is just what the UK version needs.
I felt the xfactor was quite racist at times this year… And some contestants suffered as a result of the judges need for power and control…. It should be about the contestants and not a battle of the judges… Battle of colours of skin was evident at times
uhh, examples?
Mark my words: There will be no Season Two of “X-Factor U.S.A.”.
Fox should pull the plug, given that the show wasn’t nearly as successful as it had thought.
Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul should return to “American Idol” for the 2012/2013 season. That may be the only way for “Idol” to remain popular.
I predicted these changes, so not at all surprised. There was no way Simon was bringing back lame brained Nicole.
I like Paula, but she got stuck with the short end of the stick with mentoring the lightly talented groups – lets hope groups will not be there for season two. Don’t know where they found Steve Jones becuase the man had no sense of dramatic timing and the singers never seemed warmed up to him.
LA Reid was Okay, but he needs to bring a little more to the party.
As for the singers, tell the truth, didn’t most of you have a smile on your face when Astro was sent home, as I did?
Steve Jones was horrific pure and simple! Everything that Seacrest isn’t. Nicole is just as bad just in a different way she is completely talentless as in her music career. Paula on the other hand is warm charming and maybe a little to kind but she was no different than when on Idol. Not sure why she needed to be let go. It was so obvious why BNicole and Jones were let go. LA was solid and gave a true music perspective. Yet the show as a whole is a combo or the Voice (teams) and Idol auditions whittle down to a winner so in effect it is just a bad dirivative. X Factor tried to put on a wild show lights costumes routines instead of concentrate on just singing. That purity that Idol has to me is why it is so successful.
I agree Jones was lost and blander than bland as host but calling him the opposite of Seacrest implies some value in Seacrest. Which there isn’t. Let’s be clear on that. The man needs to stop being giving free passes (and huge checks) to rule the planet. Barf!
Big mistake firing paula, i can’t believe that simon could really stab her in the back and ratings will drop == maybe he wants this show to fail so he can go back to idol.
It’s pretty damn shocking to see how badly Cowell misjudged this show and the people he selected. I mean we all kind of sensed it happening, watching how he kept delaying and second-guessing himself. I suppose failure was inevitable.
Unlike some I don’t dislike Simon. I hope he’s able to adjust XF and not further embarrass himself.
The only “adjustment” I can see for “X-Factor U.S.A.” is pulling the plug.
You can tell by the carefully worded statements, especially Paula’s, that Simon, Fox and Fremantle already have something in the works for the future. She’ll be rewarded for being classy in her departure.
“Simon is, and will remain a dear friend of mine” – right, we believe you, Paula… I bet she’s making Simon voodoo doll
You know they have hooked up somewhere, sometime. It is written all over them like any other showbiz romance that lies just beneath the surface. Do you think it matters if either is married? Simon is a kajillionaire and Paula is looking for whatever cash is going to keep her living her life of luxury.
Opposites attract.
Hmm where are all those studio notes from when they axed Cheryl Cole?
Looks like all those suggestions really worked.
I suggest
Host: Rebecca Black
Judges: Alice Cooper, Johnny Rotten, Joan Jett, Mickey Dolenz,Debra Harry
simon make a biggest mistake by removing so talented Paula Abdul as a judge. Paula has a soft heart, full of grace, love, best personality, kindness, warmth,caring towards people and include animals. simon simon”wake up wake up” don’t lose paula abdul tis friend.I love you paula. Keep it up! Paula follow your dreams to be fullfilled in your life.
fan from singapore
love U…
paula please return back to x factor the show wont be right with out you and nacole if you guys dont return back i wish you two would record a single together sense you both no how to dance i no it would be hot can you do that paula