TV Watch The X Factor
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Simon Cowell blames himself for the big shakeup at The X Factor, saying he set unreasonable expectations for the show, and was forced to let Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger go when it underperformed.
"I would've liked to have kept [Paula]," Cowell, 52, tells Extra. "She was very gracious, and I said that to her. She understands it's business; it's never personal."
Of Scherzinger, he added: "I don't think she's mad. I think she's disappointed."
Permalink | Filed Under: The X FactorPaula Abdul, Simon Cowell
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What's even more dramatic than frontrunner Rachel Crow collapsing into sobs after a shocking elimination from The X Factor?
The shakeup that's shaping up for season 2 of the Fox singing competition.
On the heels of the news that Steve Jones was leaving the show as host, judge Nicole Scherzinger is out as well, according to EW.com. And Paula Abdul was also let go from the show, a source confirms to PEOPLE.
Abdul had a tough time mentoring the groups, becoming the first judge without contestants on season 1. And Scherzinger faced serious backlash after Crow's elimination.
Permalink | Filed Under: The X FactorNicole Scherzinger, Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, Steve Jones
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After weeks of speculation, Steve Jones confirmed Monday that he's leaving as host of The X Factor.
On his Twitter page, he calls his departure "a shame," but adds, "I can't complain as I've had a great time. Good luck to everyone on the show."
He gave no reason why he wasn't returning for a second season.
Last month, a rep for the Welsh TV star called reports of his firing "a fabrication," though the show's producer and judge, Simon Cowell, had said there would be changes to the Fox show.
Permalink | Filed Under: The X Factor, Simon Cowell, Steve Jones
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Last year, all eyes were on Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler as they settled into their new roles as American Idol judges at the start of season 10. But as the show ramps up Wednesday night (8 p.m. ET) with the judges' panel intact, all eyes this year should be on the talent – or lack thereof – as televised auditions begin.
But in an increasingly crowded genre, can one of TV's veteran singing competitions still make sweet music for viewers?
The judges clearly think so. In a recent interview, Randy Jackson referred to Idol as the "Picasso" of singing shows, the original that's been widely imitated.
Permalink | Filed Under: American Idol, The Voice, The X Factor, Jennifer Lopez, Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler
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Paula Abdul is a single lady.
After a year and half, The X Factor judge and her boyfriend, record label owner Jeff Bratton, have called off their romance.
"Paula and I split in November," Bratton tells PEOPLE. "It was an amicable thing. But between the final months of X Factor and my responsibilities with [my label] Cascine, there was little time for us."
Permalink | Filed Under: Breakups, Couples, The X Factor, Paula Abdul
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With Melanie Amaro just crowned this season's winner, auditions are already underway for next season's The X Factor – and contestants and viewers should prepare themselves for a few possible changes.
"Can we make the show better? Yes. I will never ever go into anything going forward unless I can believe I can make it better," Simon Cowell, the show's producer and judge, told PEOPLE Thursday after Amaro had won the $5 million recording contract. "Next year will be a bloodbath. We have to come out with something better than the rest, and that's what we aim to do."
Permalink | Filed Under: The X FactorTV News, Nicole Scherzinger, Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell
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A foot massage, a house for her mom – and a lifetime supply of chicken.
With an hour to think about it, Melanie Amaro has already tallied up her dream purchases with the $5 million she earned Thursday night after being named the The X Factor's first winner.
"Life will change a lot," she tells PEOPLE. "The most I have ever had before was $200, if I was lucky."
The college freshman and piano teacher from Sunrise, Fla., plans to buy her mother a new house because, as she deadpans, "The one we live in now sucks."
But the chicken is for her. "I can't live without it," she says. "It's my favorite food.
Permalink | Filed Under: The X FactorSimon Cowell
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It's been a drama-filled first season of The X Factor, but in the end it came down to three: Melanie Amaro, Josh Krajcik and Chris Rene squared off in Wednesday's final round of competition for the grand prize – a $5 million recording contract.
Simon Cowell said the trio represented the most talented group of finalists of any singing competition he's done. But after Wednesday's performances, the head judge stood firmly behind his mentee, early frontrunner Amaro, saying the 19-year-old deserved to win following her duet with R. Kelly on "I Believe I Can Fly" and rendition of Beyoncé's "Listen."
Keep reading to find out the winner:
Permalink | Filed Under: The X FactorNicole Scherzinger, Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell
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There can be only one. So, who should it be?
Melanie Amaro, Josh Krajcik and Chris Rene and each made their case on Wednesday night to take the crown as the season 1 winner of The X Factor, and the $5 million recording contract that goes with it.
The judges had their say. Simon Cowell flat-out claimed Amaro should win. And L.A. Reid agreed that her rendition of "Listen" by Beyoncé was "a $50 million performance."
Permalink | Filed Under: The X FactorPaula Abdul, Simon Cowell
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The top three singers – out of 100,000 who auditioned – performed for the final night of competition on Wednesday in Los Angeles, as season 1 of The X Factor nears its end.
Josh Krajcik, Chris Rene and Melanie Amaro performed first with a superstar duet partner, followed by their "$5 million song" on a night head judge Simon Cowell promised would be "the greatest final we've ever been in, in terms of talent."
The winner, who gets a $5 million recording contract and will star in a Pepsi commercial to air during the Super Bowl, will be announced Thursday night (8 p.m. ET) on Fox in a star-studded holiday show with performances by Ne-Yo, British The X Factor winner Leona Lewis, Justin Bieber and Pitbull.
Permalink | Filed Under: The X FactorNicole Scherzinger, Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell
