Tag Archives: Simon Cowell

February 28, 2013 · 2:18 pm

‘Gutted’ Tulisa gets the Axe Factor?

'The Female Boss' gets the boot?

‘The Female Boss’ gets the boot?

Tulisa has been axed from the X Factor judging panel, according to reports.

In a show shake up, X Factor boss Simon Cowell has apparently sacked the 24-year-old singer, after a two-year stint on the show.

A ‘source’ reportedly told The Sun:

“To say Tulisa is gutted is an understatement. She’s a bit embarrassed to be on the scrapheap when she delivered with Little Mix.

“She’s thrown away one of the most high-profile jobs in the industry as well as one of the best paid.

“But she simply wasn’t up to scratch last year and Simon Cowell had no real option.”

Among those already tipped to replace the self-styled Female Boss are judge Gary Barlow’s former bandmate, Robbie Williams, and Mel B, who appeared on the reality show as a guest judge last year.

Mel has also recently signed up to take Sharon Osbourne’s place on the America’s Got Talent judging panel, but a source told The Mirror that her schedule could be arranged around the X Factor.

Tulisa joined Barlow, Louis Walsh and Kelly Rowland on the panel in 2011 and mentored winning act Little Mix. Rowland departed after just one series and was replaced by former Pussycat Doll, Nicole Scherzinger.

X Factor will return to our screens for its tenth season this autumn.

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December 12, 2012 · 11:50 am

Cheryl ‘suing X Factor USA’

Cheryl to sue the US X Factor

Cheryl to sue the US X Factor

Cheryl Cole is suing the US X Factor for $2.3million, according to reports.

According to Deadline, the Girls Aloud and solo star will fight for the salary she is owed following her unceremonious axing from the reality show in 2011.

Cole, 29, apparently received $1.8m for the first series of the programme, but has now filed a complaint, asking for the further $2m she would have been paid for season two, plus living expenses and house and wardrobe costs.

Cheryl joined the American version of the X Factor in 2011 and appeared on the panel alongside Simon Cowell, L.A. Reid and Paula Abdul for three weeks, before being axed and replaced by Nicole Scherzinger.

In her recent autobiography, Cheryl: My Story, Cheryl revealed that she sent Cowell an expletive-laden text after learning of her dismissal, explaining:

“He didn’t even have the guts to phone or send a message warning me what was coming.

“I was furious with Simon for letting it happen like this. I believed we had a good friendship and I couldn’t understand why he just hadn’t been straight with me.”

The strongly-worded message reportedly read:

“F*** you, f*** Britain’s Got Talent, f*** the orange hair and purple outfit. F*** big hair. F*** the UK X Factor. F*** you all. I hate you. I understand you’re a businessman and what I’ve learned from this is that business means more to you than our friendship.”

Cheryl recently reunited with Girls Aloud for the band’s tenth anniversary. They will embark on their Girls Aloud Ten – The Hits tour from February 2013.

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August 31, 2012 · 12:58 pm

Cowell in St Tropez sea rescue

Simon saves the day

Simon Cowell has rescued nine stranded people, after their yacht began to sink in St Tropez.

The X Factor boss was holidaying in the South of France with friend and ex girlfriend Sinitta, when he received a mayday call from the sinking vessel.

Cowell, 52, sent a smaller boat to rescue the passengers and bring them back to his luxury liner, while his staff helped pump water out of the sinking ship.

Sinitta kept fans up to date via Twitter, posting a series of updates about the rescue mission:

“Just had a mayday message, 35ft boat sinking. Simon has sent us to help and rescue 9 people on board!

“Everyone ok, no-one hurt. Captain won’t let boat sink, petrol in sea etc. No tide, so hole plugged!”

This isn’t the first time Cowell has played the have-a-go-hero. Back in February, he came to the aid of a stranded father-to-be, giving him a lift in his private jet so he wouldn’t miss the birth of his child.

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August 30, 2012 · 10:20 am

Highest-paid stars revealed

Oprah topped the list for the fourth time in a row

Forbes magazine has released its annual list of the highest-paid celebrities, with a number of big-name star earners making the prestigious list.

Oprah Winfrey topped the list for the fourth year in a row, with her TV channel, OWN, magazine, O, and production company, Harpo, to thank for her $165million earned between May 2011 and May 2012.

The 58-year-old chat host, who recently interviewed pop star Rihanna in Barbados, fought off competition from Transformers director, Michael Bay, who came in second with a fortune of $160m.

Placed third with a $130m haul was Steven Spielberg, followed by Jerry Brookheimer, who earned $115m.

Rapper Dr Dre rounds off the top five, making $110m mostly from selling his stake in Beats by Dr Dre headphones to HTC, in a deal which was worth $300million.

Simon Cowell is the only British star to make the Top 10 list, finishing tenth overall with earnings of $90m.

For the full list, visit the Forbes website.

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July 24, 2012 · 10:14 am

Mariah joins American Idol

Mariah, with husband Nick Cannon, joins Idol panel

Superstar Mariah Carey has been confirmed as a judge on the upcoming new series of American Idol.

The Glitter star will join the all-star panel, following the departure of Aerosmith’s Steve Tyler and singer Jennifer Lopez, who left the reality programme to focus on her music career.

The new mum will reportedly be paid a huge $18million for a one-year stint on the show, with the option of renewing her contract next year.

Forty-two-year-old Carey will be joined by long-serving judge Randy Jackson, who is also her joint manager. There has been no official announcement regarding a third judge, however teen queen Miley Cyrus and former Idol contestant, Adam Lambert are said to be in the frame.

Despite their big name signing with Mariah, American Idol does face increasing pressure from shows like The Voice and X Factor USA.

Last season’s finale drew the least amount of viewers in its history and the show is seeing a decline in young adult viewing figures.

Fox entertainment chief, Kevin Rielly said:

“Not being the only game in town now, we need to keep things fresh.

“We have the biggest names in the business, like Mariah Carey, interested in doing this.

“So for the next couple of weeks it will be a matter of picking the right one, with the right chemistry, making the deal and finalising this.”

Carey has previously appeared on the seventh series of American Idol as a mentor and was also set to advise Simon Cowell on the X Factor USA, but had to cancel her appearance due to Hurricane Irene.

Her husband, Nick Cannon presents rival show, America’s Got Talent.

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May 16, 2012 · 11:45 am

Louis: I hate The Voice

Louis thinks The Voice is “dull and boring”

X Factor judge Louis Walsh has waded into the great talent show debate, declaring that he hates the BBC’s offering, The Voice, calling it “dull and boring”.

Speaking to Heat magazine, the music boss also revealed that he was glad Simon Cowell’s Britain’s Got Talent had beaten the reality programme in the ratings:

“I hate The Voice. I think everyone thought The Voice UK would be like the US version, and it’s not.

“It’s dull and boring. I’m glad BGT is winning the ratings battle – it’s much better.”

When asked by the magazine whether he would ever have considered being a judge on The Voice, he replied:

“No way, it’s not great TV.  The best thing about it are the revolving chairs, and once you’ve seen that, the novelty wears off.”

He also had a pop at The Voice mentor and Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am, saying:

“What’s that man’s real name anyway? It’s not will.i.am, is it?

“He thinks he’s got all the answers, but if he didn’t have Fergie in the band, where would he be? Fergie is the real star. I would love her on the X Factor, and to be a judge on the show.

“The X Factor is the biggest show on TV and the other shows are just copying us with their silly chairs.

“Simon Cowell is the king of TV and if he’s not involved then it’s not good.”

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May 15, 2012 · 12:34 pm

Britney, Demi join US X Factor panel

Image: twitter.com/ britneyspears

Britney Spears and Demi Lovato have signed up as judges for the X Factor USA, it has been confirmed.

The two singers will replace departing judges, Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul and sit alongside Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid for the second series of the reality show.

The news was revealed last night, with both Spears and the head of Cowell’s PR company, Ann-Marie Thomson, posting photographs of the new line-up via Twitter.

Speaking at the launch at the Fox Upfronts in New York, 30-year-old Spears said:

“I couldn’t be more excited to join the X Factor judging panel. I’m a huge fan of the show and now I get to be a part of the action. Simon and LA better watch out!”

Nineteen-year-old Lovato, who is best known for her roles in Disney’s Camp Rock and Sonny with a Chance, added:

“I’m so thrilled to join this legendary group of judges. To be able to spend each week with Simon, LA and Britney watching the best that America has to offer is truly a dream come true.”

Singer Maria Amaro won the first season of the US X Factor, bagging a $5million recording contract with SyCo and Sony.

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April 26, 2012 · 10:47 am

Cowell ‘sorry’ over book revelations

Cowell buried his head 'under a pillow'

Simon Cowell has spoken out about the revelations which emerged last week surrounding his private life.

The music boss admitted that the claims, featured in an unofficial biography written by Tom Bower, caused him to bury his head in a pillow.

However, Cowell effectively endorsed the book, entitled Sweet Revenge: The Intimate Life of Simon Cowell, by attending the launch party.

Speaking to a star-studded crowd at London’s Serpentine Gallery, the Britain’s Got Talent judge apologised to “anybody I embarrassed”, telling guests:

“I will be honest with you, I spent last week under a pillow in my bedroom. Newspapers were banned.”

The book was serialised in last week’s Sun newspaper and covers Cowell’s alleged relationship with fellow X Factor judge Dannii Minogue, alongside a ‘fascination’ with Cheryl Cole.

Cowell continued:

“When I first got the call saying someone was writing a book about me I said ‘good, who is it?’ They said ‘Tom Bower’. Not good’.”

He then said he spoke with Formula One boss Bernie Eccleston, who had already collaborated with Bower for a book on his life, explaining:

“I did take Bernie’s advice to invite him in. Then I read the serialisation.

“I always know how bad things are when my head of TV sends me these really sweet messages saying ‘are you OK’, which means it’s really bad.

“I want to publicly apologise to anybody I embarrassed because I have tried to keep my private life quiet a bit and I do have to apologise to certain people and certain members of my family. That’s the score.”

Tom Bower’s book is currently at Number 5 in The Bookseller hardback non-fiction chart.

It is his 20th unauthorised biography, with other subjects including Topshop boss Sir Philip Green and Apprentice star Karren Brady.

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April 18, 2012 · 10:42 am

Gary Barlow X Factor return confirmed

Gary is the only judge to be officially confirmed

Gary Barlow will return to the X Factor panel for the next series of the reality show, it has been confirmed.

The Take That star announced the news via his Twitter page on 17 April, cryptically posting:

“I’ve got some news ……”

Before revealing that he would returning to the panel for a second time:

“I’m so happy to tell you all that I’m back on the X factor this year! See you at auditions.”

ITV and the producers of the reality series later confirmed the news in a press release, with SyCo boss Simon Cowell quoted as saying:

“It’s great to be able to confirm our first judge for this year’s show. Gary has earned his place and I’m excited to be working with him again.”

The other three judges are yet to be confirmed by the channel, Thames or SyCo, however Tulisa Contostavlos, who mentored winners Little Mix last year, and only remaining original judge, Louis Walsh, are both expected to return.

It is not yet known if Kelly Rowland will feature in this year’s series.

The X Factor was the most watched show in 2011 and was named Best Talent Show at the National TV Awards in January.

This year will see a slight rule change, with any singer over the age of 16 allowed to enter, even if they have a record deal in place.

The series will return in summer 2012.

Related: Barlow breaks baby news
Related: Artists confirmed for Jubilee concert

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April 2, 2012 · 12:11 pm

Jessie J ‘turns down X Factor’

Jessie refuses to work with 'gimmicks'

Singer Jessie J has reportedly turned down Simon Cowell’s offer of a judging spot on the next series of the X Factor.

Music mogul Cowell admitted last week that he wanted the Price Tag singer on the panel, following her success on rival reality show, The Voice.

However, Jessie has since told the Sunday Mirror that she wouldn’t work on a show that relies on “gimmicks”:

“It’s very nice of Simon to say nice things about me. But The Voice is the show I want to work on and I’m not going anywhere. It’s the show that represents everything I am about.

“I’ve always supported X Factor and BGT. I’ve been on both and performed. But I love being part of The Voice and I ­genuinely want these people to come out of this show at the end and know that they’re equipped to tackle the music industry.

“It’s bloody hard and we don’t want them to just have 12 months of a career. This is about getting them on the ladder for the long run. The Voice isn’t about gimmicks. X Factor rely on that and that’s their thing but it’s not our thing.”

Veteran X Factor judge Louis Walsh let slip last week that he would be returning to the judging panel for the next season, telling the Mirror:

“I am so happy to have signed up for another year. It’s my ninth year, I’m the only person to be in it for nine years… I’m busy now from here until Christmas. I signed the deal yesterday – making it my ninth year on the show.”

Walsh also claimed that fellow judges Tulisa Contostavlos and Gary Barlow would be returning, but he wasn’t “sure if Kelly [Rowland] is back”.

Jessie is currently appearing as a coach on the The Voice, alongside Sir Tom Jones, The Script’s Danny O’Donogue and Black Eyed Peas star and producer, will.i.am.

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