Sunday, May 8, 2011

Paula Abdul Signs On as X Factor Judge

Paula Abdul has signed on to join The X Factor judges table, Deadline reports.

The deal reunites the former American Idol judge with Simon Cowell, who will judge and executive-produce X Factor. Abdul, 48, and Cowell, 51, worked together on Idol for eight seasons before Abdul left in 2009. Cowell departed the next year to launch The X Factor in the U.S. after working on the original U.K. version for seven seasons.

Nicole Scherzinger, Steve Jones named X Factor co-hosts

Cowell said he had "always loved working" with Abdul in an interview with Deadline last week. "I don't know what it is about her, but I've always clicked with her. You just have to get that chemistry, and she's right," Cowell said. "I've never found anyone better than her."

Abdul joins previously announced judges Cheryl Cole, who worked on the British original, and former record label Chairman Antonio "LA" Reid. Former Pussycat Dolls lead singer Nicole Scherzinger and British TV host Steve Jones were announced as the hosts for X Factor on Saturday.

Simon Cowell: "There's a good chance" Paula Abdul will judge X Factor

Abdul's deal closed less than 24 hours before The X Factor's first audition taping, which takes places at 1 p.m. Sunday in Los Angeles.

Following her exit from Idol, Abdul most recently judged and executive-produced the CBS dance competition series, Live to Dance.

The X Factor's winning act will receive a $5 million recording contract with Syco/Sony Music. The singing competition premieres in the fall on Fox.

No comments:

Post a Comment