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Simon Debuts X Factor With Paula and Jokes the Show's About "Giving Older Women a Second Chance"

Katie Henry — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 11:43:24 PDT

Simon Cowell arrived in style for last night's screening of his new TV show, The X Factor, stepping out of his custom-built black Rolls-Royce to greet screaming fans at LA's ArcLight theater. He was the last judge to arrive on the red carpet and promptly received a kiss from his good friend Paula Abdul. X Factor reunites former American Idol judges Simon and Paula and introduces new faces L.A. Reid and Nicole Scherzinger and super-hot host Steve Jones, who's well known in the UK as a presenter. We were on hand for last night's exclusive screening of the first two episodes, which begin Sept. 21, and were happy to see Paula and Simon's infamous chemistry back in full force. L.A. adds his producing and songwriting expertise to the judging panel, while Nicole has a fresh point of view due to her years of touring the globe as a solo artist and with The Pussycat Dolls. Following the screening, the judges answered questions from fans, and according to Simon, he's finally "met his match" in fellow judge L.A. Here's more:

Simon on comparing the US to UK audiences: "They [the US] have an amazing musical knowledge . . . they were very tough on us at times when we didn't love somebody. I thought there were moments when we were going to get mauled when the audience disagreed with us. The American audience is tougher than the UK audience."
Steve on hanging backstage with contestants: "[One contestant] said I wear too much makeup and I'm nothing but a stretched Ryan Seacrest. And I was like, [sarcasm] 'Well, best of luck with your audition.'"
Paula on changing the lives of contestants: "It's an overwhelming feeling, it's a blessing to see and to feel what other people feel when they're getting that moment. It's awe inspiring. Don't take it for granted."
On major arguments over contestants:
Simon: "I'm going to let you in on a little secret: when certain girls came to audition, if they were too attractive they were known as DOA, in other words dead on arrival, and from that, Nicole was christened Sylvester, from Sylvester the Cat, and Paula became Tom, from Tom and Jerry. So we had to fight, me and L.A., to keep the attractive girls in the competition because Sylvester and Tom didn't want them in the competition and that's where, true story, most of the arguments came from. L.A., will you back me up on that?"
L.A.: "True story."
Simon on what the "X Factor" is: "When someone is brilliant it's a no-brainer. Where it got tricky, as I said before, when other factors came into play, and that's where you needed myself and L.A. Reid to be fair and balanced. I got things back on track, but that's pretty much the only time we argued."
Simon on expanding the age range of contestants: "[Joking with Paula] This show is all about giving older women a second chance."

Rihanna Performs in an Embellished Bikini For Italian X Factor

Molly Goodson — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 10:00:00 PST

Rihanna blew a kiss to the crowd as she strutted down the stairs sporting a rose and ruffles-covered bikini on Italian X Factor in Milan last night. She performed "Only Girl (In The World)" off her forthcoming Loud. Her international promotional tour also included a stop at Sunday's MTV EMA Awards in Madrid where she wore another unique ensemble and reunited with her good friend Katy Perry. Rihanna and her boyfriend Matt Kemp caught up with newlyweds Russell Brand and Katy on a double date after missing their October wedding in India. Rihanna's album release is just days away and you can stream it now on her site as redheaded Rih brings her new music around Europe.

To see more photos of Rihanna's performance, just read more.

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Anna's Bisexual Announcement, Stephanie Loves Twilight, & Jennifer's Post-Baby Bod

Molly — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 14:30:00 PDT

Anna Paquin comes out as bisexual in a public service announcement, Stephanie Pratt parties with Lindsay Lohan and reveals her love for Twilight, and Jennifer Hudson shows off her post-baby body and pictures of her son.

PSR 4/1/10: Anna's Bisexual Announcement, Stephanie Loves Twilight, & Jennifer's Post-Baby Bod

PopSugarTV — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 13:45:53 PDT

Anna Paquin comes out as bisexual in a public service announcement, Stephanie Pratt parties with Lindsay Lohan and reveals her love for Twilight, and Jennifer Hudson shows off her post-baby body and pictures of her son. Be sure to follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook for all the latest celebrity gossip!

Video: Simon Cowell to Stay on American Idol

PopSugarTV — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 10:33:59 PDT

Are Simon Cowell's plans to leave American Idol no longer in place? We've got the latest on his X Factor contract negotiations.

Simon Cowell Confirms He's Leaving American Idol For X Factor

BuzzSugar — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 12:40:48 PST

Just minutes ago at the Fox portion of the Winter TCA, Simon Cowell himself took the stage to confirm that the upcoming season of American Idol will be his last. As expected, Cowell's focus will be shifted to launching the American version of X Factor, which is slated to premiere on Fox in 2011. Cowell even signed his new contract on the stage for all of the press to see.

Though he considered hosting both shows, he said "the practicalities" are impossible. Cowell also said that judging Idol has been the best eight years of his life and that all Idol needs to succeed without him is to "find someone who knows what they're talking about." Cowell also added he would love to leave the show "bigger and better than it's been before."

Before Simon ducked out of the Q and A to get back to his duties on Idol, he answered one last question about Paula Abdul, saying, "I adore Paula, whatever happens I will be working with her in some capacity. I miss her."

Photo courtesy of Fox

Can't Sing? Neither Can She.

GiggleSugar — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 14:00:00 PDT

Shows like "The X-Factor" and "American Idol" really bring to light just how many delusional people there are out there. I'm truly amazed by all of the talentless contestants who come out of the woodwork to showcase their lack of touch with reality. Take the following woman. Someone needs to tell her that a high-pitched drone in no way counts as high-quality singing. Excuse me now, while I go tend to this earache.

X Factor's Leona Already Breaking Records

PopSugar — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 08:04:52 PST

If you haven't heard of Leona Lewis, you soon will. The winner of this season's X Factor (think American Idol) is tearing up the charts in the UK. Leona's single debuted in stores this week and has already broken records. Simon Cowell raves about Leona who chose to cover Kelly Clarkson's A Moment Like This for her first single. How very appropriate for a 21 year-old that has already broken the record for fastest selling download ever. Here's more:

She had already sold 150,000 downloads - meaning that she is now effectively in the top spot.

Lewis, mentored by X Factor judge Simon Cowell, needed to notch up around 200,000 single sales to achieve No1 this Christmas.

Record industry insiders predict she could achieve as many as one million sales by Sunday -far exceeding last year's X Factor winner Shayne Ward's total of 740,000 in his first week.

HMV spokesman Gennaro Castaldo said: "Leona's single is already the fastest selling download in history and is now almost guaranteed to be the fastest selling single of the year.

"There has been a huge response to her as a contestant and when you consider eight million votes were cast then you have to assume a good deal of those people will be buying the song."

It's amazing what shows like American Idol and X Factor can do for a performer's career. Sounds like Leona will be big in '07! Stay tuned for more of the overseas sensation. To watch her performance and to see more pics of this future superstar just

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Simon Cowell Talks X Factor Judge Rumors, Idol Judges, and Why His New Show Will Be More "Fun" Than Idol

Molly Goodson — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 08:02:00 PDT

Simon Cowell is gearing up to take over the world of reality TV yet again this Fall when he brings The X Factor to the States - amid rumors that he's dropping out of the UK version. Auditions have already kicked off in LA - and booths around the country for contestants who can't make it to big cities -with New Jersey coming up this week. Simon says the stateside series will be more "fun" than American Idol; although, he admits that he hasn't been keeping up with the Idol drama. Simon isn't ready to announce who will be joining him and L.A. Ried at the judges' table, but everyone from Jessica Simpson to Fergie to Gloria Estefan are apparently still in the running. He says he'd happily hire any of them and discussed the qualities that make for good hosts, contestants, and judges on these huge-scale talent shows. Check out our chat, and stay tuned for part two - when he describes why Justin Bieber is responsible for some of the best performers they've seen so far:

Buzz: How are auditions going for The X Factor?
Simon Cowell: By all accounts, really, really well, actually. Big numbers, lots of talent, coupled with a lot of crazy people, which I like. So all things that will make a good show, I hope.

Buzz: What are you looking for in a host?
SC: I think somebody who likes the fact they're making live TV, isn't afraid of things going wrong, isn't afraid to stick up for the contestants or argue with us, and who's fun to be with. And doesn't behave like a normal host.

There are lots of rumors going around about the judges. Is there anyone you would be particularly excited to get?
SC: Everyone who I've met, I've kind of wanted on the show, which is why it's difficult to make our minds up at the moment. I'd hire everyone. They really have been great fun, and every day we get approached by somebody new. It's really difficult when you're in that position to know who to hire. We just got to give it some time, meet everyone, and then try to come to a decision.

Buzz: Some fans are saying that the American Idol judges are all too nice this year, do you think there's anything to that?
SC: It's difficult. When I was on the show, everybody said we were too mean and now everyone's saying [the judges] are too nice. For me it's a good thing, because I was always concerned that the two shows were going to be similar, and they are very, very different shows. [The AI team] seems very happy with it, and hopefully people will like the difference in our show when it comes on. Because it really will be different.

To read more of what Simon had to say about what makes a good judge, and why The X Factor is more "fun" than Idol just

read more. Buzz: What makes a good judge on a competition show like this? SC: You can't be a snob, and you can't be afraid to say no. You've kinda got to say what people at home are thinking. Otherwise we'd just end up putting music teachers on the show who would say "you're sharp or flat," and it would be the most boring show in the world. I like people who are slightly mad as well, because most of the people in the music business are crazy, so the panel has to reflect that. And you can't take yourself too seriously. Buzz: Are there going to be big changes between the UK and US versions of The X Factor? SC: A few. I mean you have to be very careful when you make a show like this. If you announce what you're going to do, other people copy you. So I like to keep things close to my chest when I can. Then when the show opens, it feels fresh, and no one has had the chance to do the same thing. Because that's what happens when you make these reality shows. All the other producers watch you, and you end up seeing your show on other shows. You've got to be really careful nowadays. Buzz: You have said that you think The X Factor is going to be more "fun" than American Idol, what do you mean by that? SC: Well it's got this massive age range for a start, so when you sit through the auditions - I've sat on both shows and auditions are boring - but when you can sit there and one minute you're watching a 14-year-old followed by somebody who's 75 followed by a group, it's a more interesting show to judge, and therefore I think it's a more interesting show to watch. It's difficult to describe until you see both shows, but it has a different feel to it. It's more unpredictable. The fact that you haven't got 12 contestants who are of a similar age range just makes it more fun. Photo courtesy of Fox

X Factor Buzz: Who Is Cheryl Cole?

OnSugar Blog — Thu, 05 May 2011 11:54:46 PDT

The following post was written by the editor of OnSugar blog Stars of Reality.

It's official! Singer Cheryl Cole will join Simon Cowell as a judge on The X Factor, a singing competition that will premiere this fall on Fox. Cheryl is a chart-topping superstar in the UK, but she isn't a household name in the United States just yet. Here are a few things you should know about Chery Cole.

1) She rose to fame as part of the pop group Girls Aloud, which was formed on a UK reality show called Popstars.

2) Cheryl stepped out as a multi-platinum solo artist in 2009, with hit songs like "Fight For This Love."

3) She has been judging the UK version of The X Factor for three years. "[She] has been fantastic to work with," Simon Cowell said in a press release. "She is also a complete brat! Most importantly, this girl can spot talent."

4) She is rumored to be dating DWTS pro Derek Hough (yes, Derek Hough!) since last year. The two have never confirmed it - but they haven't denied the obvious relationship either.

5) Cheryl almost died last year when she became sick with malaria. Her illness made headlines across the world. Derek was by her side through the ordeal. "I'm so excited to be taking part in the American version of The X Factor," Cheryl said in a press release. I absolutely love it here in the U.K., and with the talent they have out in America, I'm sure we're going to find someone very special. I can't wait to get started."

Are you excited that she will be an X Factor judge? Tell us in the comments!

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Photo courtesy of Fox