In a dramatic twist (or great PR stunt), Cheryl Cole could well be back on the X Factor USA judging panel.
Full story below…
According to TMZ, the Pop pretender was indeed fired by Fox two weeks ago. However, with her contract being a “pay or play” arrangement, it ensured she’d get her full $1.5million fee regardless of whether she stayed on the panel or not. The show’s producers, it seems, are now eager to not the waste money and instead make use of her for that reason only.
There is also reliable suggestion that producers believed the blow of the sacking would be lightened by an inevitable return to the UK version of the show. Yet, with Cole apparently demanding more than double her usual salary, as well as the contractual issues involved with dropping her already-signed replacements (Tulisa and Kelly Rowland), the deal fell through.
Cole’s return to the US panel is said to be ‘on the table’ and the ball is in her court as to whether she accepts it or not. Filmed auditions resume on Wednesday.
——————————-
Needless to say, this is a shambles.com. For while this whole episode being an elaborate PR stunt is plausible, it’d ultimately be a stupid one, as everyone now has egg on their face. Especially Fox, Cole, and Simon Cowell.
For upon Cole’s sacking, the masses let out a collective sigh of relief. Indeed, many who had previously remained silent on the matter, spoke up on how ill-advised it was to sign her up the first instance. Now, Fox seem to have done a 360 and have essentially made their show look like a joke before it even hit the air – in the process guaranteeing Cole’s performance will be scrutinised even more so than before.
One also has to wonder what this means for Nicole Scherzinger, who replaced Cole on the panel after initially serving as the show’s host. Had any papers been signed, I sure hope she’s lawyered up – because, as I’ve said many a time, the notion of Nicole standing there reading cue cards while a non-factor sits judging talent is a mess.
Whatever the case, all looks set to be cleared up this coming week. If the show is to be salvaged in any which way, let’s hope the right decisions have been made.