The deal is done. As executive producer Simon Cowell foretold late last month, his U.S. port of The X Factor will feature Cheryl Cole — a fave from the original UK edition, where she has sat alongside Cowell for three cycles — as a judge.
A multi-platinum-selling solo artist and a member of Girls Aloud, one of the UK’s most successful female vocal groups of all time, Cole will sit at the Fox series’ dais with Cowell, recording industry vet Antonio “L.A.” Reid, and a fourth judge TBA (though likely to be Paula Abdul).
“I’m thrilled for Cheryl. She is massively excited about this show, and has been fantastic to work with,” Cowell said in a statement. “She is also a complete brat! Most importantly, this girl can spot talent.”
Cole is just as bloody enthused, saying, “I can’t decide whether I am more excited to find and nurture the talent, or for the unbelievable amount of amusement and entertainment I will have watching Simon doing everything and anything he can to beat me.”
Schooling U.S. viewers on her and Cowell’s long-running X Factor rivalry across the pond, she adds: “He’s tried to beat me for three years… and hasn’t even come close. His ego must be so bruised. America is gonna love this.”
What’s your current assessment of the crop of talent Cowell is amassing for Fox’s X Factor?
