14 DAY TRIAL // In between doing media rounds speaking of his engagement to makeup artist Mezhgan Hussainy, Simon Cowell has also found the time to see to his plans of porting the popular British talent competition the X Factor to the US. Not only that, but he’s found one of the judges on the panel as well in the person of Cheryl Cole, who occupies the same position on the original show, says Digital Spy citing reports in the British media.
After announcing that he’d be leaving American Idol after the current season is done, Cowell also said he’d be doing so in order to be able to bring X Factor to audiences in the US. Given his chemistry with former AI judge Paula Abdul, speculation had it at one point that she’d be brought along for the ride, a claim Cowell did not deny – on the contrary, he even encouraged on a couple of occasions. Now, the music mogul has set his eyes on Cheryl.
“Simon Cowell has reportedly suggested that he wants Cheryl Cole to appear on the US version of The X Factor. According to the Daily Star, Cowell has already assured the Girls Aloud singer that she has a place on the show. ‘I’d love to have Cheryl on the show,’ he said. ‘We have a great chemistry.’ Cowell reportedly winked when he was asked if she was guaranteed a place as a judge, adding: ‘Cheryl’s a natural star. People can’t help but warm to her’,” the aforementioned publication writes.
And the good news for fans of the show does not stop here either, since Cheryl too is positively sold on the idea and plans of accepting Cowell’s offer right after she solves a few pending personal issues. As it’s common knowledge, the singer has recently split from her husband Ashley Cole, amidst speculation that he was unfaithful to her. Though Cheryl hasn’t said whether she wants to divorce Ashley, the aforementioned report claims she will – and then move to the US to do X Factor.
“Simon thinks America will fall in love with Cheryl, just like Britain has. She has a unique talent for winning everybody over. She gets involved emotionally with her acts, whereas the other judges don’t. She is incredibly passionate, genuine and caring and he knows he needs a judge like that on the line-up. Simon also loves that Cheryl isn’t afraid to stand up to him on the show. He knows their banter will be a massive hit with American audiences. Not only does he want her on American X Factor but he wants her to be sat on the much sought-after seat directly next to him. Cheryl has told Ashley. Now they are working out what to do,” an unnamed source says for the e-zine.