X-Factor Shake-up!-Simon Cowell to Cheryl Cole: "This was never personal..."

Cheryl Cole is officially OUT as X-Factor Judge in the U.K. and the states! Ouch, that has to hurt.
After weeks of speculation it was confirmed yesterday that Nicole Scherzinger is replacing Cheryl Cole on 'The X Factor' in the U.S.



 Simon Cowell, the man in charge, has apologized to Cole for the chaos surrounding the judging lineup on his new talent show, but insists that she wasn't fired.
According to The Sun, Cowell takes full responsibility for the decision to replace Cole with Scherzinger, and said he did it for her own good. He said she seemed out of her depth on the U.S. show, and so producers offered her a quiet exit with the offer of returning to her old job on 'The X Factor' U.K.

"The intention was to do it quietly and say to her she had an option to rejoin the UK show. ... At the end of the day we were saying, 'Move to another show for even more money'. There was an offer of around £2.5 million on the table including bonuses. How is that [firing] someone?", Cowell says.




However, after Cole and her manager, Black Eyed Peas member will.i.am, reportedly refused to take phone calls from TV executives to discuss the option, the offer was withdrawn and the new U.K. judging lineup was announced last month--a line-up that did not include Cole.



Cowell told The Sun how he'd received a text message from Cole saying she felt let down about the U.S. show but understood it was a professional decision. He said: "I replied saying, 'This was never personal or saying you were terrible.' It wasn't that she was terrible -- she was good. I just thought she'd be happier in the U.K."


Rumors are rumbling that the last-minute signing of Paula Abdul overshadowed Cole's value to the panel and issues with  her accent and appeal or lack of appeal to the U.S. audience played heavily in the decision to replace her.

(Simon & Paula)

In or Out? Cheryl Cole back in as 'X-Factor' Judge?

It's hard to keep up with who actually is apart of the 'X-factor' judging panel.  Last week it was said that Cheryl Cole was out, and in her place was Nicole Scherzinger.  But now, it appears there is a change of heart.

According to NOTW, Cheryl will again join the panel when they start audition in New Jersey.  No word as to why the shale-up then make-up, but I am sure more info will come out in the next few days.

'X-Factor' judge already 'X'ed from show!

The highly-anticipated show, "X-Factor" is still months away and there is already drama on the judging panel. TMZ has learned that Cheryl Cole is already 'X'ed from the judging panel.  Her replacement?  Nicole Scherzinger!
Reports say that 'X' PussyCat Doll, Nicole Scherzinger will sit beside Simon, Paula & L.A. Reid.  There is no clear reason why Cole has left the judging panel as of yet.  Initially, Scherzinger was tapped to co-host the talent competition, but has been given the ultimate 'upgrade'.



We will follow this story as more details come to light.




 Nicole is "WINNING"!

X-Factor Judges full panel REVEALED!

The most anticipated new TV series of 2011 kicked off on Sunday as the four X Factor judges — Simon Cowell, singer Cheryl Cole, record-label exec L.A. Reid, and, yes, Paula Abdul – gathered to audition wannabe superstars in downtown Los Angeles.  The news spread like WILDFIRE.  Yes, a reunion of PAULA & Simon.  This debut season will be epic. 



Paula had this to say:


“I’m thrilled that you invited me back,” she said to Cowell. “It’s a blessing to be part of this. And I couldn’t be more thrilled to have someone on the panel here also who has experienced what it’s like to sit next to him… Miss Cheryl Cole.” The charming Cole then made her first statement to the audience: “I’m going to love getting to know America, and I hope you like to get to know me too. You might have to bear with the accent just a little bit, but I’m sure you’ll get used to it.”


'X-Factor will be hosted by former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger and British TV personality Steve Jones.

Entire X-Factor Judging panel revealed!!???? Guess who made the cut.

With the dreadful 'American Idol' Season 10 drawing closer to a slow demise, I mean season finale, and 'The Voice' on NBC gearing up for their debut season, we are getting closer and closer to the debut of Simon' Cowel's 'X-Factor'.  The industry has been buzzing for months about this new singing competition show to hit Fox this Fall.  So far Simon has been mum about who will sit with him on the judging panel.  We already know that music impresario, L.A. Reid will be one of the distinguished judges, but who will the others be?  Well, it seems that the final panel has been chosen!! Guess who made the cut????



Well sources are saying that these people will be joining Simon:

 That's right, Cheryl, Cole, & Paula Abdul!!!  If this is true, the judging panel alone will make droves of past 'Idol' fans tune in just to see Paula and Simon 'back together again'.  It is also rumored that Nicole Scherzinger, Mariah Carey, and Enrique Iglesias will be apart of the show as well. 
This show is already shaping up to be a ratings phenomenon!  Tune in this fall to Fox to see just how it pans out.