Talk about adding insult to injury. Times two.
Simon Cowell's new upcoming talent show The X Factor, which will make its debut in the fall, is stirring up the controversy as reports of newly added judge Cheryl Cole already being given the boot. British pop superstar Cheryl, 27, has previously appeared with Cowell in the U.K. version of the show for three seasons and was ecstatic when it was announced earlier this month that she will be judging for the U.S. installment, alongside Cowell, Paula Abdul, and L.A. Reid. Also, as of recently, it has been announced that only was she out of her new gig, her original position as a judge for the U.K. version is being revoked as well!
Her official replacements are said to be Nicole Scherzinger from the Pussycat Dolls for the American show and Kelly Rowland from Destiny's Child for the British show. Apparently, some of the U.K. audience is said to be angry with Cole for "selling out" to the U.S. audience and that they do not want her back. Ouch!
David Joseph of Universal, the head of the record company that represents Cheryl, is said to be absolutely furious with the star's poor treatment and is now busy campaigning with The Voice (U.K. version) to recruit her as its newest judge. He feels that this will give her a chance to pick up the pieces and recharge her career with a solid gig in the rival show.
Since there is still a lack of an official statement, rumors continuously flood the Internet questioning the reasons behind the decision, some say it started from the harsh criticisms on her apparent weight gain while others claim the show's producers believe she made a bad first impression in America that started from her outfit being "too ugly". No, seriously.
TMZ also reports that Cheryl Cole was fired by Fox executives due to her Geordie accent that is said to be too thick for the fickle American audience to comprehend. They believe that viewers would have a difficult time relating to her much like the cold response given to Kara DioGuardi's short stint on American Idol.
Honestly, if people can understand half of what Paula Abdul is saying through her incessant gibberish and obvious need for attention, surely the U.S. can understand Miss Cheryl Cole just fine. Let us know the real reason, Simon Cowell.