Nicole Scherzinger exiting 'X Factor,' Paula Abdul may be gone too

Former Pussycat Doll, Nicole Sherzinger will not appear as a judge on the next season of Fox's X Factor talent show. Rumors are swirling that Paul Abdul may not either.

TheGrio Staff

Jan 31, 2012

Former Pussycat Doll, Nicole Scherzinger will not appear as a judge on the next season of Fox’s X Factor talent show. It was announced by the network Monday. The show, which just finished its first season, was the brought to the United States by American Idol creator Simon Cowell. The show’s nominal host, Steve Jones, also announced recently that he also would not return to the talent competition.

MSNBC reported that there are rumors that Paula Abdul might also be on her way out as a judge on the show, leaving LA Reid and Cowell to lead the second season.

That Scherzinger is out is no huge surprise. Shortly after the season ended, she said at an “X Factor” press conference that the job was much tougher than she had anticipated. “The elimination process has been really hard … it’s something I could have never prepared for,” she said at the time. Reports differ on whether she quit or was let go. A source told E! Online that the former Pussycat Doll wants to focus on her music career, while show insiders told TheWrap that she was fired. Regardless, a Fox spokesperson has confirmed her exit.

Another “X Factor” insider also told E! online that “Simon wants to take the show in a different direction.”

With at least two, possibly three, of the show’s original cast gone, now he has his chance to right his ship. Prior to the launch of the U.S. version of “X Factor,” Cowell said that if the show didn’t debut with 20 million viewers, it would be a “disappointment.” The show drew about 12.5 million viewers on premiere night.

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