Paula Abdul took to twitter after her first day on the job as judge alongside Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole and LA Reid at the first X Factor live auditions in Los Angeles.
“X Factor USA is so exciting, ” tweeted Paula after Sunday’s taping, “like the first day back to school, after you haven’t seen your friends all summer.”
“lots of questions asking me “What’s it like working w/ Simon again?” – It’s great to be around Simon again for real! yes for real!” “Simon & I got over the honeymoon period very quickly! Back to our good old relationship!”
“Lots of you ask “What’s it like to work w/ Cheryl Cole? can you understand her accent?” She’s a delight, lovely & sweet. what accent?”
- More coverage from today’s live Los Angeles X Factor auditions HERE.
But today’s audition taping almost didn’t happen, Simon Cowell tells The Hollywood Reporter. Paula was negotiating her X Factor deal up until the last minute. “I would’ve canceled today [if deal hadn’t gone through], ” Simon revealed to THR before the judges auditions began.
Simon blames the attorneys for Paula’s deal negotiating until the 11th hour. One of the major sticking points was an agreement she had with CBS contained an option based on a deal for Paula to participate in the canceled CBS competition show Live to Dance. That deal contained language that could have prevented Paula from joining the X Factor.
“The issue was that these conversations had gone on long enough. It’s not like I sprung this on somebody. I just thought it’s time for everyone to do their job and get the deal done. I couldn’t have sat in front of you lot and said [Paula] wanted to do the deal and we couldn’t.”
Simon thought it was important for Paula to be on board immediately. “I could just sense that the public would’ve been disappointed without Paula, ” Simon said. “You see how we are; we get on really well.”
“She’s Paula Abdul. Nothing’s ever easy, but I’m used to it, ” said Simon.
More: Read a report from the Los Angeles Times.
