X Factor: Nicole Scherzinger Didn’t Want Corbin Bleu as Co-Host (UPDATE: Paula Closed Her Deal)

By On 05/07/2011 · 19 Comments · In Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, X Factor

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UPDATE: Deadline is now reporting that Paula just closed her deal with X Factor and is getting ready for tomorrow’s first two auditions tapings at 1 PM and 6 PM.

The X Factor drama is beginning early. Deadline is reporting:

“I’ve just learned that Paula Abdul has been asked to show up for the judges panel for his U.S. version of The X Factor in Los Angeles on Sunday. But here’s the thing: I’m told her deal still isn’t done yet but is in “final negotiations”. Reps are working all day and probably all night to get it done before tomorrow’s 1 PM and 6 PM tapings of auditions with wannabe contestants when the full judge’s panel assembles for the first time at USC’s Galen Center.

But will she really show up? No way her reps will let her go if that deal isn’t done,” an insider just told me.

Cowell told me recently he wants a known female performer and a young Hollywood actor to co-host. His initial picks were 32-year-old former head Pussycat Doll and ABC’s Dancing With the Stars standout Nicole Scherzinger, always his first choice to host, and Corbin Bleu, the 22-year-old African-American co-star of the High School Musical franchise. With both talents able to sing and dance, the possibilities for their hosting seemed myriad. But, according to an insider, at their first meeting, “Nicole walked in and saw Corbin and his baby face and asked, ‘What are you, 15?’ And then she walked out.” So, just like that, Bleu was nixed.

Who knows how much of this is true, although I tend to believe the Paula stuff, because she has a history of being tough to deal with.

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  • muzikghetto

    But will she (Paula) really show up? No way her reps will let her go if that deal isn’t done,” an insider just told me.

    I am very sure she would show up even if the contract does not materialize. And I do not think she would not turn down Simon’s request because they are genuine friends plus she will get paid for her appearance anyway.

    The story about Nicole only proved that the whole news is a mere gimmick or simply a rumour.

  • lostinidol

    The whole thing with Paula seems kind of strange. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. If all these leaks are even half true, it seemed like Cowell asked everyone under the sun to judge and when no one would, he settled for Paula. Not exactly a ringing endorsement. And really, what is there to negotiate here. It’s the 11th hour. It’s Paula to judge tomorrow or what? Do they have a last minute rabbit they are pulling out of the hat tomorrow? Paula would seem to be crazy to show without a deal especially considering her prior relationship with Fox. If she wanted to stick it to them, now is the time. Really disappointed in all the judges and hosts for X Factor. When it comes to star power, Idol and The Voice really trumped X Factor.

  • JGLucky

    I believe the stuff about Nicole too. I hear she is a bit high maintenance.

    True or false, it really doesn’t matter though. Simon loves to have the X-Factor constantly surrounded in some sort of scandal. It’s what helps keep it in the news, thus relevant. He’s a smart business man.

  • fuzzywuzzy

    Maybe it’s because of all of Simon’s hype about choosing his judges, but at this stage, I’m sort of desensitized and have no interest in whether Pauler will be a judge or not.

  • abbysee

    Eh, it’s all scripted….Simon creating some last minute buzz/drama, yawn. I might watch Xfactor, might not…..who cares, lol.

    ETA: If Nicole really did that, and if she really has that kind of power to choose her co-host, then damn. Considering I know more about him than her……oh wells. Maybe I won’t watch. Don’t these shows really want a younger demographic? Corbin was probably a nice choice for that purpose. Dumbasses.

  • larc

    JGLucky says:
    I believe the stuff about Nicole too. I hear she is a bit high maintenance.

    Nicole just said what a lot of others might have been thinking. Corbin does project an image of being rather a lightweight. Plus I suspect a lot of women wouldn’t want to co-host with a male ten years their junior.

  • emmuzka

    Sorry for the spam, MJ, but the new placing of the article picture eats away one third of the text space and shortens the amount of text in the front page to so small that people might not have the chance to get interested and click to read more. Giving that the blog is already fitted for a very small screen, it’s quite frustrating.

  • Parkbench

    This link is saying that Paula has just closed her X Factor deal! http://www.deadline.com/2011/05/paula-abdul-closes-her-deal-for-x-factor/

  • BM2587

    C’mon people have we learned nothing from UK XF?? It’s just another planted story to build buzz for the audition rounds. Paula’s deal has probably been locked down now for weeks because no way is Simon going to risk her not being at the first live taping. It’s the very first season of course there’s going to be all 4 judges there on Sunday. By the end of the day or by tomorrow morning we’re going to have a miraculous press release how “Paula signed in the 12th hour to give Simon his dream panel”

    Just quoting myself here lol. Did I call it or what? oooh and MJ just got an email notifying all is 6 pm ticket holder that it got moved to 7

  • jpfan

    Poor Corbin Bleu. I saw him on Broadway and he was quite good. Much more talented than those dumb H.S. musicals show. I hope some opportunities come his way.

  • fuzzywuzzy

    UPDATE: Paula Closed Her Deal

    Oh, thank goodness! LMAO!

  • Lexus

    Paula should be grateful she’s getting work at all. I can’t imagine anyone wanting her desparately enough they’d be in intense negotiations over her. There are several more talented and relevant musicians to choose from today.

    Also, I really believe Paula closed her deal a long time ago. The ‘hold out’ was just Simon’s attempt to continue to hype the show.

  • hypertwink

    I can believe that of Nicole. You can ask any of the Pussycat Dolls…LOL. Anyway, I heard a theory that she’s a bit afraid that he might upstage her. Well if that was the case, be careful what you wish for because his replacement Steve Jones is kinda awesome. He’s a good presentor as well as funny and fearless. He also has a penchant for getting naked oncam (also, see him naked on the cover of Attitude magazine), and he kissed Jake Shears on TV too.

  • harvestmoon

    If all these leaks are even half true, it seemed like Cowell asked everyone under the sun to judge and when no one would, he settled for Paula. Not exactly a ringing endorsement.

    My thoughts exactly. Simon had 18 months to sign his dream panel and hosts, and this is what he came up with? A combination of old pals and people most Americans have never heard of, most of whom were chosen at the last second? He seemed defensive last week in that Deadline interview about people turning him down for this show, and I think now that that was indeed the case. I had high expectations for this show, because I’ve missed Simon on Idol, but I am baffled by his choices and underwhelmed by the way the news has played out. Perhaps it will still be a good, entertaining show, but I was expecting judges more exciting than this.

  • Kirsten

    Simon had 18 months to sign his dream panel and hosts, and this is what he came up with?

    Certainly doesn’t live up to all the hype. He probably could have had all these people all along. Maybe he did and he just wanted press by naming all those other names. Seems a little desperate, though.

  • springboard

    The combination Paula/Simon will attract those who miss the old idol. But the vibe will be different, and I am not sure that it’ll work out well.

  • http://mjsbigblog.com/luvadamlamberts-american-idol-tour-2009-washington-dc-re-cap.htm luvadamlambert

    yesssssss paula

  • Kirsten

    The combination Paula/Simon will attract those who miss the old idol. But the vibe will be different, and I am not sure that it’ll work out well.

    True. It is like when people go back to their old home town and things aren’t quite how they remember it because places and people have changed.

    Plus, how will Simon balance his mean-judge Idol person with the guy who praises inadequate performances by his team? What role does that leave Paula to play with Cheryl being the nice sweet one and Simon not so mean?

  • chrislongisland

    Nicole should have stuck to judging The Sing-Off where she actually came off like a good person and was protected by the brilliance of Ben Folds and Shawn Stockman from Boys II Men.

    Now, she is nothing more than a complaining Diva? She has a good voice but she ain’t that special!