We guess Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell really do like each other. Paula Abdul is officially coming back as a judge, not on American Idol though. Simon Cowell’s X-Factor will kick off soon and he just signed on a familiar face.
Abdul and Cowell will be back together on the judging panel, along with former music exec Antonio “L.A.” Reid and U.K. singer Cheryl Cole, who was also a judge on the U.K. version of X Factor.
“I can’t believe I am saying this—I have missed her a lot, and I am thrilled she’s on the show,” Cowell said of Abdul in a statement confirming the news.
“[I] know that it will be an extraordinary journey—we’re going to have a blast,” Abdul said in the statement. “I’m also delighted and grateful to be sitting next to Simon again … but you might want to check back with me in a week or two!”
So, what will be different this time around? Well, as for Simon and Paula, we’re not so sure. As for the show, X Factor differs from Idol in that contestants will audition not just in front of the judges, but in front of a crowd of thousands, which will comprise a “fifth judge” according to Cowell.
And there will be no Ryan Seacrest. Nicole Sherzinger of the former Pussycat Dolls and Steve Jones of British TV will host the show. Sherzinger has been a guest judge on the U.K. version of X Factor in the past.
The singing competition is scheduled to premiere on Fox in September and will feature not only solo artists, but groups. There is also no age limit.
The winner will get a recording contract worth $5 million with Syco Music and Sony Music Entertainment, what Cowell has said is the “largest guaranteed prize in television history.”
But back to the news at hand. Paula and her rambling commentary along with her “you look beautiful” remarks when singers are at their worst will be back, unless she decides to change her style and separate herself from her American Idol image.
After all, Randy Jackson has done the same with his judging style on this season of Idol. Gone are the “dog pound” days of incessant barking (thank God) so we hope Paula comes back her crazy self, with a little more honesty added in.
