Nicole Scherzinger confirmed for The X Factor UK

Following Kelly Rowland's departure from The X Factor judging panel, the question on everybody's lips was "who is going to replace her?" With bosses unable to secure a permanent fourth judge before the auditions began, various guest judges filled the vacant chair on the judging panel. It was believed that the various guest judges were all in line to be signed up as a permanent judge, depending on how well their 'trial' went. And after weeks of suspense and deliberation, it was revealed today that Nicole Scherzinger was the chosen one.

Scherzinger has been named as the
fourth & final judge for The X Factor UK

I have to say, Nicole was the obvious choice. She has guest judged on The X Factor in the past and has always been popular with UK audiences. She's a lot more endearing than Kelly Rowland. Rowland was way too feisty and clashed with the judges too often last series. Also, Nicole has the experience having been a judge on The X Factor USA last year, replacing Cheryl Cole on the panel after being unceremoniously sacked. I think it was always obvious that Simon Cowell would choose Nicole; he's obviously a huge fan of hers, even after dismissing her from The X Factor USA at the end of the series and replacing her with Britney Spears.

That said, I personally think that Simon should have chosen somebody else. Somebody outside of The X Factor fold. I am a huge Nicole fan; I loved her in The Pussycat Dolls and loved her when she went solo, but I think change is a good thing and Nicole is far too familiar. But then again, who else was there to choose from? There is no way on this earth that Cheryl would make a return to the panel, as amazing as that would be. I would have loved for Rita Ora to join the panel but she lacks experience, I think; she doesn't have the credentials to become a mentor at this early stage in her career.

However, I have no doubt that Nicole will be fabulous. She's ridiculously talented and the UK love her. Her career in the UK, by the end of this year, will be huge.

Now let the countdown begin for The X Factor to return to our screens.

The Voice UK

So, this weekend saw the live final of the Voice UK which signalled the end of series one. After much anticipation, the Voice debuted in March to exceptional viewing figures and the BBC saw it as a rival show to television juggernaut The X Factor. But upon reflection, was the Voice really any competition for The X Factor?

The American version of the show, which features Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine, Cee Lo Green and Blake Shelton as coaches, proved a huge success when it premiered in America last year and when the BBC bought to rights to the show for a staggering £22 million, they hoped to replicate its success in the UK. However, simply purchasing the rights to a show that is majorly successful in various countries does not guarantee success elsewhere, as the BBC found out.

I, personally, love the concept of the show; to uncover a star with a killer voice, not taking into account looks, personality or styling - this is where the initial 'Blind Auditions' proved successful. With the judges facing away from the contestant, or 'artist' as they are referred to, if one or more coach likes what they hear, they press their 'I WANT YOU' button, revolving their chair so that they can face the artist. A very clever and unique idea. However, the concept is slightly deluded as the music industry today IS image dominated, but there are still artists today that have hugely successful careers because of their voice. artists such as Adele and Ed Sheeran. 

The superstar coaches for this version were frontman of the Script, Danny O'Donoghue, living legend and musical icon, Sir Tom Jones, US producer, rapper and founding member of the Black Eyed Peas, Will.I.Am, and the fourth and final coach is global singing sensation, and my favourite artist, Jessie J. I feel that the BBC selected the perfect coaches. Each coach contributed something different to the dynamics of the panel, yet something just wasn't connecting with audience members.

Although I praise the concept of the show for providing aspiring musicians with the platform and liberation that a show like The X Factor may not give them, I do feel that the diversity that was constantly discussed regarding the show proved to be its downfall. The X Factor is a great entertainment show - it makes you laugh, cry, shout and cheer simultaneously and that is what a good entertainment show should make you do! I found myself becoming bored with the Voice as the coaches were far to constructive and never truly criticised the artists. Also, with the X Factor being such an established British television show, comparisons are inevitable and it soon became apparent that the Voice was no competition. But what the BBC must remember is that the success that The X Factor has achieved is almost ten years in the making and success must be worked for and cannot me gained immediately.

It's been confirmed that The Voice is returning for a second series next year and it's clear that it needs a lot of developing. Perhaps if the shows airs for longer than two months the British public will begin to love it the way they love The X Factor. But I'm not sure if it was worth the £22 million the BBC paid for it, and I bet the BBC are wondering the same thing right now.

The X Factor UK, 2011

The X Factor Judges (2011)

I haven't posted in a while, which is bad; I have so much to share but never find the time to post! And on this certain topic, I have A LOT to say. Yes, that's right, it's ANOTHER post dedicated to the television juggernaut that is the X Factor. In the midst of all the drama surrounding the US version, I completely neglected posting about the UK version. But here it is...


When it was announced that Simon, Cheryl and Dannii were ALL leaving the UK version of the show to pursue other projects, speculation was rife as to who would replace the talent show judges; who could fill the role of Head Judge, left by Simon? Who could provide the glamour and sophistication that Cheryl did? And who could provide the motherly approach that Dannii gave? Of course there was the regular names linked, like Beyonce, Mariah, even Nicole Scherzinger were linked a possible judging role. But in the end it was revealed that Louis would be joined on the panel by Kelly Rowland, Tulisa Contostavlos and Gary Barlow. The PERFECT replacements, in my opinion.


Kelly Rowland is a bonafide, A-List recording artist and diva; she's fierce and I'm sure she will stand up for the contestants she believes in. She was an unexpected choice, I thought, simply because I never thought that such a global star like Kelly would sit on a judging panel of a reality TV show. But she's bringing the global factor to show.


Tulisa is the perfect replacement to fill the void left by Cheryl. She's outspoken, strong and has talent by the bucket-load. She is definitely the breakout star of N-Dubz and this is a great platform for Tulisa to launch herself as an industry, just as Cheryl did before her. If any contestant dares to defy Tulisa, I have no doubt she will put them in their place. She may be young, but she's not scared to ruffle a few feathers. I'm excited to see what she's going to be like.


Gary Barlow was a typical choice. He's a singer/songwriter extroadinaire, as well as being one fifth of the most famous and successful man band the UK has ever produced, Take That. He also has his own record label and signed up opera superstar Camila Kerslake, so he knows exactly what it takes to make it in the cut-throat industry of music. Apparently Gary has been harsh in the audition stage and has been asked to tone it down by producers. I'm not sure if that's an act, genuine or if he's trying a bit TOO hard to fill Simon's shoes. But I have no problem with a direct approach; he knows what it takes to cut it in the music world, just as Simon does.


Personally, I'm thrilled with the new line-up and I think the panel needed a major revamp in order to keep the show fresh and current. However, why was Louis Walsh kept on board? He is so irrelevant and nobody really cares about his opinion. He is going to have to fight SO hard not to be overshadowed by the new judges, and that is going to be a real challenge. I think they should have just signed Kelly, Tulisa and Gary - because let's be fair, that might as well have happened anyway. No-one will take notice of Louis this year. But we shall see.


As a media student, I feel I'm allowed to take such an interest in TV. I'm really excited to see this new series of the X Factor and I think the new judging panel will be amazing. With rumours of this series being the toughest yet and the live final being held at Wembley Arena, it definitely has the potential to be the biggest series yet! Also, I'm attending X Factor bootcamp on Thursday - I'm seriously SO excited for that! I'll get a first hand look at the bootcamp experience!


It's time to face the music!

The Wait is Over! Again.

How ironic is it that thirty three days ago I was reporting the breaking news of the US X Factor judging panel being revealed, yet thirty three days later I'm reflecting on the drama that has followed regarding Cheryl-gate?

For those of you that have been living with your head under a rock for the last month, Cheryl Cole was sensationally dropped from the US judging panel after only judging two sets of auditions in America. Speculation was rife as to why this occurred, with many journalists and media outlets suspecting it was to do with Cheryl's strong northern accent and her lack of profile in the US. With Syco, Fox and Simon Cowell himself remaining tight-lipped, the public were left to make and draw their own conclusions.

However, two weeks after the sensational news was revealed, it was finally confirmed that Cheryl HAD left the X Factor US and that then co-host, Nicole Scherzinger, would be replacing her as a judge and would join Simon, Paula and LA Reid at the next set of auditions as a full-time judge.

In the space of two weeks, The X Factor US gained tons of press coverage on both sides of the Atlantic, boosting it's profile even further. In the space of two weeks, Nicole Scherzinger was promoted from co-host to full-time judge. In the space of two weeks, Cheryl had her US dream crushed by her mentor, friend and colleague.

When it was announced that Cheryl was going to be a judge on the X Factor US, everyone was sceptical. Although the UK public adored her, the US market is tough to crack and the odds were stacked against her. But she was born a fighter and would do everything in her power to make this situation work. But it just wasn't meant to be. Not only was Cheryl fired from the US version, she was offered her role back on the UK X Factor but turned it down, and when she was offered her judging role back on the US X Factor, she turned that down, too. And rightly so.

Cheryl had been humiliated by one person she trusted unconditionally, and she wasn't a ragdoll that could be dragged back and forth. However, I do feel that her pride has been damaged by the whole experience. If she ever tries to break America in the near future, she will be remembered as the girl with the funny accent who was sacked by Simon Cowell. And I think this has a lot to do with the reason why she turned down his offer of returning to the US. I feel that she had got to the point where she felt that if she WAS going to try to conquer the US any time soon, she would do it on her own. On her own terms. I also feel that the reason she turned down the offer to return to the UK X Factor was because she felt it was a consolation prize; she'd been sacked from the US version but could have her job back in the UK. The truth of the matter is Cheryl doesn't need her job on the UK X Factor; she has conquered the UK and doesn't need the exposure, platform or money. As for her second offer to return to the US version, I feel Cheryl felt she had been humiliated too much in a short space of time and that if she returned to the US, the public would be sniping constantly and she would have to work even harder to prove herself.

The only question remaining is what Cheryl will do now. With no Simon and no X Factor, will her solo music career stand the test of time and continue to be as successful? Only time will tell. But as they say, "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger".

The Wait is Over!

FINALLY the X Factor USA judging panel has been revealed! After months and months of speculation over who would occupy the other three judging seats next to Simon Cowell on the hotly anticpated FOX-produced television show, it's been revealed that British singing sensation and UK X Factor judge, Cheryl Cole, Emmy-award winning choreographer and Grammy-award winning singer, Paula Abdul and Grammy-award winning music producer, Antonio 'LA' Reid will join Simon on the panel when the show airs in the US in September 2011. It's also been revealed that ex Pussycat Doll and international solo-superstar, Nicole Scherzinger will co-host the show along with Welsh TV presenter Steve Jones.

I have been ridiculously intrigued as to who would land the judging roles, but if I'm honest, I can't help but feel it was all slightly anti-climactic. As soon as Simon Cowell announced his intention to take the X Factor stateside there was speculation surrounding who would join him on the US panel. Right from the off Cheryl was linked to the role. Then Nicole. Then Katy Perry. Then Nicki Minaj. Then Cheryl. Then Paula. Then Mariah. Then Cheryl. It was a vicious cycle and Cheryl's name was constantly appearing. Pretty much a guarantee that she had bagged the role, right? Especially if she was a constant link even against artists like Katy Perry and Mariah who are already huge in the states in comparison to Cheryl, who is a virtual unknown. But I think she deserved the job. Love or hate her, she's a brilliant judge. She takes the contestants under her wing and nurtures their talent and week-on-week her category blooms whilst other judges' wither. Whether she will be a huge success like she is here in the UK remains to be seen, but to bag such a big role for her debut in the US must mean she has something special about her for Simon and FOX executives to take such a big risk on her. I hope she proves all the haters wrong, it's about time the UK had a good ambassador to represent us in the States.

As for Paula Abdul gaining a judging role, that was also pretty much certain. After appearing on American Idol with Simon for eight seasons, their on-screen chemistry will pull in the viewers. Admittedly, Paula knows her stuff when it comes to having the X Factor, being a multi-talented performer herself. But I'm not sure how she will be as a mentor to the contestants when she is given her own category. I have no doubt she'll mother them, but she needs to me a mentor, not a mother. Cheryl has won two out of the three seasons that she has judged in the UK which proves her ability to spot talent. Simon has masterminded the careers of global superstars Leona Lewis and Susan Boyle. Paula, on the other hand, has never had such a responsibility. But I'm sure she is more than up for the challenge and it will be exciting to see Paula and Cheryl battle against Simon.

The final judge, LA Reid is a fantastic choice for a judge. He has masterminded Mariah Carey's comeback in 2005 and launched the career of Rihanna and Justin Bieber. I think he will be a fantastic mentor to the contestants and I think the contestants will really look up to him on a personal and professional level. LA Reid can spot talent, that's for sure. I think the diverse range in the judges musical backgrounds really shows that Simon has thought about the judging panel for the launch of the US X Factor. However, I can't say I'm happy about the choice in presenters.

Nicole Scherzinger is a global superstar and is huge in America after her success with the Pussycat Dolls, so I can't help thinking that maybe she would have been a more appropriate choice of judge instead of Cheryl. Do not think I dislike Cheryl; I'll be the first to support Cheryl when the going gets tough. But I feel Nicole's credentials have been overlooked by favouritism. Nicole was a huge hit last summer on the UK X Factor when she stood in for Cheryl Cole when she was diagnosed with malaria, and Nicole was invited back for the bootcamp stages, too, due to her success. Which makes me wonder why she has been offered the role of presenter rather than judge? Also, Nicole's solo music career is starting to take off, but will Nicole really be performing her music on the live stages of the show when she's there to present? Also, would Nicole really put her solo-career on hold after waiting for this success for such a long time? All I can say is that she must have been offered a HUGE paycheck to solidify her joining the show, especially when she may potentially have to give up so much.

As for Steve Jones. Well, I'm not fussed by him. No-one knows who he is in the states, and no-one will be able to understand his welsh accent, so, naturally, all eyes will be on Nicole.

There is no doubt that The X Factor will be a huge success and that American Idol will need to watch its back in order to compete. I just hope the UK X Factor isn't left in danger by losing its two biggest rating winners.