Cheryl Cole better than Nicole says X Factor USA critics
Cheryl Cole has been given a huge boost by US critics after they backed her over ‘downgrade’ replacement Nicole Scherzinger after the first episode of X Factor USA went to air.
Girls Aloud singer Cheryl was axed from the Fox show in May in favour of the Pussycat Dolls singer, but still appears in the opening episode.
Critical reaction to her judging skills on Simon Cowell’s stateside X Factor has been fairly positive, saying that she is ‘much more interesting than Scherzinger’.
One particularly scathing review in the New York Times labelled the Pussycat Doll ‘not much more than a seat warmer.’
The review read: ‘In the premiere Cheryl just kind of disappears mid show, without much explanation, and suddenly Nicole Scherzinger of Pussycat Dolls is in her chair. It’s a downgrade.
‘Ms Cole showed glimmers of being interesting; in two seasons as a judge on The Sing-Off on NBC, Ms Scherzinger was a pretty face but, judicially speaking, not much more than a seat warmer.’
The Chicago Tribune was similarly disapproving of Scherzinger, saying: ‘Scherzinger doesn’t come off as an obvious improvement’, while the LA Times wrote: ‘On a first impression, she [Cole] is much more interesting than Scherzinger, if only for her fabulous Geordie accent.’
Music mogul Simon Cowell took the decision to sack Cole from the show after it was feared she would not connect with US audiences, leaving her jobless in the X Factor franchise on both sides of the Atlantic.
But it seems Cowell may have made the wrong decision in hiring Scherzinger as a replacement, with the 33-year-old criticised for being ‘more interested in tearing up and out-glamming Pop Idol’s Jennifer Lopez than bringing much to the commentary.’
HUMILIATED X Factor favourite Cheryl Cole could make a sensational comeback to the show.
ITV chiefs hope Cheryl Cole will help her replacement Tulisa Contostavlos at the judges’ houses phase of The X Factor.
The nation’s sweetheart was left without a judging spot on both the US and British shows after her move to America ended in tears.
But she could make a ratings-winning return this year if N-Dubz star Tulisa and show chiefs get their way.
Our X Factor source revealed: “Producers are desperate to bring Cheryl back in some way or another.
“One option being discussed is for her to come back for the judges’ homes week.
“Theoretically, she could help out Gary Barlow or Tulisa because she is good friends with them both. But the general consensus is that Tulisa would be better.”
Telly bosses talked about bringing her in as a fifth judge for the live semi-final and final but that position will now go to boss Simon Cowell, 51.
But bigwigs are determined to entice Cheryl, 28, back. Tulisa, 23, has now become the obvious choice after N-Dubz were banned from appearing because they bad-mouthed the talent contest.
Our insider added: “Cheryl has already been offered the chance to come back and mentor the contestants during the live rounds.
“There’s also talk she could perform with one of the contestants for the grand final.
“Cheryl basically has any option to return she wants, apart from as a judge. The theory behind helping Tulisa pick her contestants is that it would show the nation Cheryl isn’t bitter about Tulisa replacing her on the panel.”
Beyoncé has already agreed to help out ex-Destiny’s Child band mate Kelly Rowland. JLS or Jedward are being lined up to help Louis Walsh and it is rumoured Gary will be joined by someone from Take That.
Here’s a lovely video of Cheryl and The X Factor US team at FOX TV Upfronts on 16th May 2011. Shows a few little clips of the first 2 days of the US X Factor auditions including clips of Cheryl Cole.
Cheryl Cole is reportedly the BBC’s top choice for the judging panel on the UK version of ‘The Voice’. The Girls Aloud singer, who was last month axed from ‘The X Factor USA’, may already be in discussions for the role via her management, according to Metro.
A source is quoted: “She is still lying low at the moment but there have been conversations with her management and things are moving forward. The BBC are hopeful she will commit.”
It was announced yesterday (Friday) that BBC One will debut ‘The Voice’ in 2012, following the Dutch format’s success in the US.
BBC One controller Danny Cohen said: “I’m absolutely delighted that ‘The Voice’ will be coming to the BBC. It’s a big, exciting and warm-hearted series and will be a fantastic Saturday night event on BBC One.”
Cheryl Cole had previously been tipped to defect to the BBC for ‘The Voice’. A source at the singer’s record label had said: “Universal are heavily involved in recruiting judges for ‘The Voice’ when it moves to the BBC and they are urging Cheryl to be the big star of that show.”
Meanwhile, Robbie Williams has also been rumoured to become a judge on the BBC One show as a possible rival to his Take That bandmate Gary Barlow, who has joined ITV’s ‘The X Factor’.
Courageous Cheryl Cole sent US X Factor judge Paul Abdul a bunch of flowers yesterday in the clearest sign yet that she is getting over her cruel show snub.
The Geordie singer – who has been a total recluse since she was booted off the show two weeks ago – sent the gift to show she has no bad feelings towards Paula.
And the heartfelt gesture was not lost on the American star, who tweeted: “Gorgeous flowers from a gorgeous girl. Sweet friend… love you #Chezza thank you so much!”
Paula, 48, has been in New Jersey all week at X Factor auditions alongside new judge Nicole Scherzinger, while Cheryl has been hiding out in a UK bolt-hole, trying to put her fortnight from hell behind her.
At the time of her sensational sacking there was a suggestion she had clashed with Paula. But last night a source close to the 27-year-old revealed: “Paula and Cheryl really are good friends.
They have spoken on the phone several times in the last two weeks and Paula has been offering Cheryl plenty of advice about what to do next.
“Cheryl wanted to send the flowers to show that she does not blame Paula in anyway.
“Whether she can say the same for Nicole and Simon Cowell is another matter and maybe it is telling that they didn’t receive any flowers.”
Since Cheryl was unceremoniously dumped by her former mentor Cowell she has not been seen in public – and is said to be deeply upset by his comments about her.
The music mogul has said this week Cheryl should have a “thick skin to cope with this”.
And he also added: “I am sorry this has caused so much anguish and embarrassment, but I stand by what I believe was the right intention. And I would say that to her face right now.”
Cheryl’s family are trying to encourage her to leave her hideout and return home to Newcastle – but her only concern is to avoid the limelight.
Our source said: “Cheryl’s definitely on the mend. But she still gets very upset every time she heard Simon talk about what went on. She trusted him implicitly and genuinely thought of him as a friend.”
Simon Cowell opens up about Cheryl’s US X Factor saga
Simon Cowell finally has broken his silence on the X Factor Cheryl Cole saga, hoping to set the record straight on the Geordie singer’s axing from the US show.
Publicly apologising to the Girls Aloud star, he told the Sun: ‘I’m sorry. I’m not a monster.’
It seems the music guru still hopes to make things right with his former pal, claiming he was only looking out for what was best for her during the entire fiasco.
‘I’m sorry. I hope we’re still close friends’ he said. ‘She’s still a star. The hardest thing to accept is that everyone has painted me as a monster because I embarrassed her.
‘But the truth was I was protecting her. I just want people to be in the best place at the right time,’ he admitted, ‘I just thought she’d be happier in the UK.’
And despite hearsay that her accent put her on the chopping block, Simon has insisted it has nothing to do with it.
‘We noticed she was quieter than normal. The feeling was that she was slightly out of her comfort zone in America. The intention was to do it quietly and say to her she had an option to rejoin the UK show.’
He also denied reports that she had been sacked, insisting he wanted her to go back to her role on 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 £2.5million on the table including bonuses. How is that sacking someone?’
He also revealed that he didn’t tell her to leave the US show – but instead executive producer Richard Holloway delivered the final blow: ‘I wasn’t the right person. I felt she would be more comfortable to hear it from him.’
With Nicole Scherzinger now confirmed as the new judge replacing Cheryl on the US X Factor, it seems Cheryl’s fate has been sealed. But despite this, Simon insists that there are other roles for her on different shows.
Cheryl still hasn’t spoken out about her ordeal, but a friend told The Sun: ‘If Simon wants to say it wasn’t personal, that’s up to him. But the reality is he really pushed her into doing the US show. She would have been happy doing another year on the UK show.
‘At least he has said she walked away and that she wasn’t fired.
‘She just wants to take a break from all this and look to the future. It has been completely exhausting but she isn’t going to let it get in the way of her life any more.’
