National Geographic

By Daily Mail Reporter


Flower power: Paula Abdul posed with a huge bouquet of flowers sent to her by former X Factor judge Cheryl Cole


Despite being fired just three weeks ago, former X Factor U.S judge Cheryl Cole is proving she is moving on from the decision gracefully - and she is receiving the full support of Paula Abdul.

Paula has shown her solidarity for her former co-judge by posting messages on Facebook and Twitter.

The 48-year-old uploaded a picture of herself with a bunch of flowers that Cheryl, 27, sent her on Friday before the New Jersey auditions for the show.


Still friends: Despite Cheryl being fired from the show, the two women have kept in touch


They first auditions where Nicole Scherzinger was acting as Cheryl's replacement.

On her Facebook page Paula wrote to Cheryl: 'I LOVVVVVVVVE MY FLOWERS!'

'Thank you for such a beautiful, bright, summery bouquet. I've loved our conversations, & I love you. Looking forward to meeting up soon! xoP'

With the picture of herself clutching the beautiful pink and yellow bouquet she Tweeted and posted to Facebook: 'Here's another picture of me in the pink dress at last week's The X Factor (USA) auditions in NJ. I'm holding the flowers beautiful flowers Cheryl Cole gave me. Cheryl's a class act! :))'

Cheryl also reportedly sent flowers to her replacement Nicole Scherzinger and a fruit basket to L.A Reid, showing her support for the judges in spite of the scandal surrounding her departure from the show.

After Cheryl was booted from the show, and rumours swirled of a rift between her and the other judges, Paula took to her Twitter to clear the air.

'Cheryl is amazing. We have forged a wonderful friendship & have & will continue to stay in touch.'

Friends: Paula has tweeted her support of the singer who has now returned to the UK


Cheryl and Paula worked together for just a week as the first X Factor USA auditions took place.

After Cheryl left the U.S. show, she was offered a place back on the panel of the British X Factor, but left it too long to decide and was replaced on that panel by N-Dubz singer Tulisa Contostavlos.

Meanwhile, Simon Cowell spoke out earlier this week to apologise to Cheryl for the way the whole situation with the X Factor U.S. had been dealt with.

He said: 'A hundred per cent I have to take full responsibility, because I do have a lot of sway.

‘This has been a rough two weeks. The hardest thing to accept is that everyone has painted me as a monster because I embarrassed her. But the truth was I was protecting her.'


source:dailymail

By Paul Revoir


Style wars: Kelly Rowland shows off her toned figure in a yellow crop top and black skirt with towering Christian Louboutin heels at the X Factor auditions in Birmingham yesterday


She is ignoring Simon Cowell’s calls after being dropped from the U.S. version of the X Factor and refusing to rejoin the UK team.

So you might have expected the hosts of the ITV show to avoid any mention of Cheryl Cole’s name.

But as auditions began, the new judges were quick to praise the former Girls Aloud star - so quick, in fact, that fans began speculating that the whole thing was a PR stunt.

Slinky: Tulisa Contostavlos covers up in a black DKNY jumpsuit as the judges arrive at the Birmingham auditions


Take That star Gary Barlow, N-Dubz singer Tulisa Contostavlos, Kelly Rowland of Destiny’s Child and show veteran Louis Walsh arrived in Birmingham yesterday to begin filming.

Although Miss Cole, 27, is still in hiding, singer and songwriter Barlow, 40, said: ‘I’ve spoken to her and I think she has turned a corner now. I would say she is going places.

‘I’m sad that she’s gone, but do you know what, she will move on to something else.

Exciting new venture: Kelly and Tulisa have both been staying at the Hotel Du Vin


‘I know Cheryl quite well and she is an ambitious girl, she’s very together and she’ll get over this no question.’

Irish music manager Louis Walsh, meanwhile, said that Miss Cole had been in good spirits as she had sent him text messages to ‘wish him well’ on the show – and told him to ‘give them hell’.

Praise: The new judges were quick to praise the former Girls Aloud star, pictured on last year's X Factor with Simon Cowell. Fans were beginning to think the whole thing was a PR stunt

The hunt for new talent is on: New judge Gary Barlow, left, joins the show's only original judge Louis Walsh on the red carpet in Birmingham


‘Cheryl’s great, she’s a great girl - we’re on really good terms,’ the 58-year-old added.

‘There is no bitterness – not with me anyway!’

But Miss Contostavlos, 22, seemed less keen to discuss her predecessor, saying: ‘The Cheryl thing is a mystery to me.’

And fans were dubious, with Nigel Stoneman writing on Twitter: ‘Am I the only one who has twigged that the whole Cole X Factor carry on is one massive PR stunt?’

And Jenni Fryer wrote: ‘Fiver says Cheryl will be back on X Factor... I smell a PR stunt!’

Face in the crowd: The N-Dubz star is surrounded by press and fans

First day at work: Old-timer Louis Walsh, far left, heads up the new judging team from left, Kelly, Tulisa and Gary

The new crew: The official new line-up, Gary Barlow, Tulisa Contostavlos, Kelly Rowland and Louis Walsh, pose together for the first time on the X Factor stage

Who's got the X Factor? Hordes of hopefuls turned up for the first day of auditions

Excitement: Kelly does the X Factor symbol, while host Dermot O'Leary looked glad to be back, if a little more covered up than judge Kelly, in a turtle neck sweater

Is there another Leona Lewis in here? Thousands of wannabes queue outside for a chance to become a star

What a crowd: Barlow was greeted by screaming fans as he arrived for his first day on his new job




source:dailymail

By ANDREA MAGRATH

Maxi power: Kelly Rowland steps out for day two of the X Factor auditions in a long printed maxi dress and tan wedges


They dazzled and divided fans on day one of the X Factor auditions with their bold style statements.

After Kelly wowed in a neon yellow midriff top and Tulisa raised eyebrows with her polka dot jumpsuit yesterday, both opted for slightly safer looks on day two.

N-Dubz star Tulisa was first to emerge from the judges' Birmingham hotel, in a mini-dress with a neon pink print and matching heels.

The dress featured an asymmetrical hemline and peekaboo neckline trimmed in pink.

The clingy fabric showed off the 22-year-old's slim figure and long legs.

Kelly also chose a print look with a floaty maxi dress. The tan and black print matched her handbag and wedge heels.


Bright: Tulisa Contostavlos wore a neon print mini dress with peekaboo neck and asymmetrical hemline


Both women wore their dark hair long and poker straight for the second round of auditions, and Kelly added enormous silver hoop earrings.

Tulisa appears to be settling in to her new role well. She tweeted last night: 'Amazing day at the xfactor, I want 2 thank every1 4 the support! Thanks 4 making me feel at home! Lots of love T. X'

Gary Barlow followed the female judges, stopping to sign fans for the gathered fans.


Animated: Kelly charmed the fans as she signed autographs and posed for pictures


Fashion wars: Kelly and Tulisa divided fans over their bold sartorial choices yesterday


Gary, 40, spoke out on former judge Cheryl Cole yesterday, telling reporters: 'I’ve spoken to her and I think she has turned a corner now. I would say she is going places.

‘I’m sad that she’s gone, but do you know what, she will move on to something else.
‘I know Cheryl quite well and she is an ambitious girl, she’s very together and she’ll get over this no question.’

But Miss Contostavlos seemed less keen to discuss her predecessor, saying: ‘The Cheryl thing is a mystery to me.’


Star power: Gary signed autographs for fans outside the hotel


X Factor judges 'excited' by new series



source: dailymail

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

No bad guy: Simon Cowell apparently 'moved heaven and earth' to get Cheryl Cole back on the X Factor and even offered to double her money


X Factor boss Simon Cowell agreed to double Cheryl Cole's salary to £2.8million in a bid to reel her back to the X Factor.

The X Factor boss believes he has been made out as the 'bad guy' following the controversy over the Girls Aloud star's unceremonious firing as a judge from the U.S. version.

The Daily Mirror said Cowell, 51, had infact 'moved heaven and earth' to get the Geordie singer back on the show and insisted the decision to axe her was made by a group and not him alone.


In happier days: The pair were great friends until Cheryl was unceremoniously fired from the U.S. show last week


The latest development in the saga comes as new judges Take That singer songwriter Gary Barlow, Tulisa Contostavlos and former Destiny's Child singer Kelly Rowland made their debut yesterday at the first X Factor UK auditions at Birmingham's LG Arena.

A show producer told the newspaper: 'He (Cowell) moved heaven and earth for that girl – effectively offering to double her salary to take up a role on the UK show.'


The new crew: The official new line-up, Gary Barlow, Tulisa Contostavlos, Kelly Rowland and Louis Walsh, pose together for the first time


Cheryl, who has not been seen in public since her dismissal, is believed to be refusing to answer calls from Simon or respond to texts.

Even Louis Walsh waded into the debate and apparently said there was no hope for the pair's friendship now.

But the 58-year-old said Cheryl is strong and will return to the spotlight soon 'even more fantastic than before'.

But Take That star Gary Barlow revealed yesterday Cheryl had 'turned a corner' and 'is going places'.

Barlow, 40, said he had spoken to the petite brunette - and revealed that she had wished him luck as he prepared to take over from Simon Cowell as a judge on the ITV talent hit.


source: dailymail

By Jody Thompson


She's out: Cheryl Cole is officially NOT on this year's X Factor panel in the UK, it's been announced this evening


She's been at the centre of intense speculation over the past few days after sensationally being dumped on the U.S. version of the X Factor - but Mail Online can confirm that Cheryl Cole will NOT be returning to the UK version.

Moments ago, ITV released a brief statement on Twitter saying: 'Official: @TheXFactor (UK) judges will be: Gary Barlow, Tulisa Contostavlos, Kelly Rowland & Louis Walsh #itvpresscentre.'

As previously reported by the Mail, the announcement had been expected after TV executives withdrew their offer to the 27-year-old Girls Aloud star yesterday evening.


However, in a press release from ITV tonight, Cheryl's departure from the show was completely glossed over.

A quote from Simon Cowell simply said: 'These four are totally up for it, each of them bring a different attitude. They have had a ton of hits between them and they are all committed to finding a star. I have a feeling Louis and Tulisa will have slightly different points of view as to what the next star should look and sound like!'

ITV’s Director of Television, Peter Fincham, meanwhile said in the statement: 'As multi-million selling artists, songwriters and pop masterminds, Gary, Tulisa, Kelly and Louis have huge breadth of appeal with our audience and the ability to engage both the UK’s next generation of music talent as well as ITV’s viewers.'

Fresh blood: N-Dubz star Tulisa Contostavlos and Destiny's Child singer Kelly Rowland have both been officially announced tonight as the new judges on the UK X Factor


Unsurprisingly, the new judges spoke of their delight at being appointed to the panel of the show.

N-Dubz star Tulisa, 22, said: 'I'm so excited to be the joining The X Factor and want to bring something fresh and new to the panel. I'm not going to be afraid to speak my mind and mix things up a little. I am hoping to find some hot new talent and mentor a winning category. It is also going to be great to get to know and work alongside the other Judges. Let the fireworks begin!"

Former Destiny's Child star Kelly, 30, meanwhile gushed: 'I am so excited to join The X Factor UK and be able to spend time in one of my favourite places in the world.

'The music coming out of the UK right now is incredible with artists like Adele, Jessie J and James Blake, so I’m confident this season of The X Factor will give me opportunity to hear a few diamonds in the rough. Being a judge is never easy, but I promise to be as sternly honest as I can and also encourage everyone who crosses the stage. I can't wait to meet the world’s next superstar!'

Something old, something new: Gary Barlow is the new man on the judging panel (L) but Louis Walsh is the only original member now in the line-up


Take That's Gary was equally enthusiastic, saying:'I'm extremely excited about working on The X Factor. I've always been a fan of the show and always enjoyed performing on it too. My one goal is to find a global super star. If I don't find one I won't have done my job.'

Old hand Louis meanwhile, who perhaps can scarcely believe his luck to be the last surviving member, said: 'I'm delighted to back for my eighth series of The X Factor, it's my favourite job in the world and I'm really excited this year to work with Gary Barlow and the rest of the new panel. I'm the last original judge standing and I'm determined to find an act that can win this year and show the others how it's done!'

Cheryl had initially been given the ‘olive branch’ of returning as a judge on the UK version of the hit show after she was suddenly axed from its American counterpart last week.

However, both the star and her manager, Black Eyed Pea Will.I.Am were refusing to take phone calls from TV executives, including Simon Cowell, to discuss the option.

Last one standing: Louis, far right, is the only judge remaining from last year's panel - Simon is concentrating on the U.S. version, and neither Cheryl or Dannii are returning


As a result, last night they decided to end their interest in bringing her back to the UK show.

A TV source told the Mail: ‘That’s it. Cheryl will not be returning to the British X Factor.

'People have been trying to speak to her and persuade her this would be a good idea, but she’s been uncontactable.

‘She hasn’t returned phone calls. And you can’t exactly negotiate with someone who won’t even speak to you.’

It leaves Louis Walsh as the only original member of the panel, as Cowell has decided to concentrate on the U.S. version, which is now undergoing an overhaul after Cheryl was given the boot.

She will be replaced on the panel of the American version by Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger, who was originally meant to be the co-host with Welsh former T4 star Steve Jones.

Sinitta, X Factor mentor and longtime friend of Simon Cowell meanwhile spoke of her displeasure at Cheryl being left out of the line-up.

Writing on her official Twitter tonight after the announcement, she said: 'p****d and bummed like everyone else. his thing has more twists and turns then the Wizard of Oz tornado!'

'They have to prove themselves that's for sure! wish them luck and I hope they do a great job, they better "bring it"! I'm not amused!I'm watching...'

She added: 'I'm meant to still be working on the show,STILL waiting to hear ...'

The new UK judging panel swing into action on Wednesday for their first auditions at Birmingham, before they continue to Glasgow, Manchester, Cardiff, London and Liverpool.

The show itself returns to our screens last his summer.

Meanwhile, Alan Carr has revealed he's backing Gary's appointment to the x Factor panel - but only if he drops his Mr Nice Guy act.

Talking to this week's Star magazine, the Chatty Man host said: 'I want Gary to be a right bitch on X Factor. Cheryl Cole and Louis Walsh saying the same things over and over again got on my nerves.'

Cheryl who? The ITV press office official announcement made no mention of the Girls Aloud singer


And he reckons N-Dubz star Tulisa could make a welcome addition to the show too.

He said: 'If Tulisa has a bit of attitude, she’ll be good.'

Meanwhile, The Saturdays star Rochelle Wiseman told the same magazine that if Cheryl had been dropped by U.S. X Factor bosses because of her accent, it was a 'silly' decision.

However, she also revealed she had a crush on new judge Gary Barlow.

She told Star of when her band first met the Take That mainman. She revealed: 'Gary was really sweet, he was like: "Girls, can I have a picture for my collection?" And I was like: "Are you kidding? Can I have a picture for my collection?"'

Read the full interviews with Alan and Rochelle is this week's Star magazine, out today.


source:dailymail

By BEN TODD, SARA NATHAN and SARAH BULL

Makeover: Cheryl Cole is said to have been advised to lose as much as two stone ahead of her ill-fated appearance on the U.S. X Factor, it has emerged.


Cheryl Cole was under pressure to lose as much as two stone ahead of her ill-fated appearance on the U.S. X Factor, it emerged yesterday.

The 27-year-old singer is said to have been advised by an unnamed executive at the Fox network that she would need a huge image makeover if she wanted to win over audiences stateside.

Cheryl quickly enlisted the help of Gwyneth Paltrow’s personal trainer Tracy Anderson to try to achieve a more svelte physique after developing a curvier figure since battling back to health following a bout of malaria last year.


Fuller face: Cheryl has looked curvier in recent months


However, she appeared looking noticeably more voluptuous as she left the airport in Chicago last weekend following auditions for the talent show.

Just days later she was axed from her role on the U.S. show.

Meanwhile, Cheryl will not be returning to the British version of The X Factor after TV executives withdrew their offer yesterday evening.

The star was initially given the ‘olive branch’ of returning as a judge on the UK version of the hit show after she was suddenly axed from its American counterpart last week.

However, the Daily Mail has learned that since being sacked Cheryl has become ‘uncontactable’.

She has refused to take phone calls from TV executives, including Simon Cowell, to discuss the option.

As a result, last night they decided to end their interest in bringing her back to the UK show.

A TV source told the Mail: ‘That’s it. Cheryl will not be returning to the British X Factor.

'People have been trying to speak to her and persuade her this would be a good idea, but she’s been uncontactable.

‘She hasn’t returned phone calls. And you can’t exactly negotiate with someone who won’t even speak to you.’


Getting into shape: Cheryl was pictured leaving the gym earlier this month. She enlisted Gwyneth Paltrow's personal trainer Tracey Anderson to help her get into the best shape possibl


However, Amanda Holden, who is a judge on another of Cowell's shows, Britain's Got Talent, said today that Cheryl will regret it if she doesn't go back to the British show.

She told Radio 2: 'There is dark talk of Cheryl snubbing a return to British X Factor.

'Please do not do this. You will regret it for a long time.'

Last night it was confirmed that Tulisa Contostavlos, from hip hop group N-Dubz, had signed a deal to join the UK judging panel.

She will appear with Take That singer Gary Barlow, U.S. pop star Kelly Rowland and long-serving judge Louis Walsh.

source: dailymail