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On last week’s elimination episode of The X Factor USA, we saw the untimely exit of young singer Rachel Crow. After three of the judges voted, it was left up to Nicole Scherzinger as to who would remain in the competition. She chose to eliminate Rachel instead of Marcus Canty, throwing the results into a deadlock. The public’s votes were tallied, leaving Rachel out of the competition. If you’ve missed the shows last week, you can read our performance and elimination recaps here.

We are left with the final four remaining competitors, Josh Krajcik, Melanie Amaro, Marcus Canty and Chris Rene, all vying for the top prize of a five million dollar recording contract.

Since the competitors were unable to perform their Pepsi Challenge performances last week, we’ll be seeing those on tonight’s show. SEE THE PERFORMANCE VIDEOS HERE.

Earlier today, it was revealed that Marcus was really upset over Rachel’s elimination and even almost quit the show entirely! Are you glad he didn’t? (continue reading…)

On last week’s double elimination episode of The X Factor USA, we saw the exit of LeRoy Bell, along with the last in the group category, Lakoda Rayne. In case you’ve missed the show, you can read our recap here.

This week, we face another double elimination, after the remaining top seven acts go head-to-head in an hour-and-a-half long episode this Wednesday. Afterward, on Thursday, another two acts will be eliminated from the singing competition.

Drew Ryniewicz has not revealed the name of the song that she’s performing, but has dropped a hint. She took to her official Twitter page to say, “So I love my song for this week. It’s not upbeat, but it’s also not slow. Has a bit of attitude :) #cantwait woohoooo”.

I have to say that when I’ve watched her performances, they have all really sounded the same. They are slow — with no build-up and they lack energy. What could she possibly be singing this week?

Let’s hope that it’s a good song choice that actually has some life to it. Her singing is good, but on the other hand, it does sort of put us to sleep.

What do you think she’s singing? Hit me up in the comments with your thoughts!

Nicole Scherzinger is not playing around!

Reportedly, the Pussycat Dolls singer has banned fellow judge Simon Cowell from her group’s rehearsals on the first season of The X Factor USA!

Now, as you know, we’ve been watching the show and recapping it this entire season. We’ve gotta tell you, it’s been getting pretty hairy between the judges. They are always clowning around and nitpicking with each other’s mentoring of the remaining eleven acts.

Nicole is still mentoring the Over 30′s group, which consists of Stacy Francis, Josh Krajcik and LeRoy Bell. On last week’s performance episode, Simon offered her some advice on which song to have Stacy sing. And, of course, Stacy wow’ed everyone in attendance.

Reportedly, Simon had been attending Nicole’s group’s rehearsal sessions and had been criticizing her mentoring of her three remaining contestants. Then, after Stacy performed Up To The Mountain and she killed it, Simon took credit.

A source said, “Last week, Simon made a big deal out of choosing Stacy’s song, and he said he didn’t think she’s connected with them all. She wasn’t happy with him at all – so now Nicole isn’t taking any chances. She’s made it clear these are her artists, she is mentoring them and Simon should back off!”

Can you blame her?

Photo Credit: Fame Pictures

We’re covering the best of the best of last night’s Judge’s House performances on The X Factor. We were totally blown away by Caitlyn Koch’s performance of Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow, in front of Simon Cowell.

We feel that Caitlyn is one of the stronger singers in the competition. She performed well at her audition, singing Stop In The Name Of Love and wow’ed us at Boot Camp.

Check out the video of her performance:

Are you a fan of Caitlyn’s? Do you think she will be pushed through to the next round? Simon said that he loved her pitch and we loved everything about her performance. Did you? Sound off in the comments below and let us know what you think!

In case you hadn’t heard, Simon Cowell announced his new judges for the U.S. version of X Factor. Among them, are Cheryl Cole, Steve Jones and his former American Idol judging partner, Paula Abdul!

Paula said, “I am excited beyond words to be a part of The X Factor. I couldn’t be happier to bring my love for cultivating talent and performance to such a wildly anticipated show. I’m looking forward to being back with the FOX/FreemantleMedia family and know that it will be an extraordinary journey – we’re going to have a blast. I’m also delighted and grateful to be sitting next to Simon again…but you might want to check back with me in a week or two!”

Simon said that the judge’s panel wouldn’t have been the same without Paula. He said, “This show would never have been the same without Paula and I can’t believe I am saying this, but I have missed her a lot, and I am thrilled she’s on the show.”

Are you excited for the show???

Former American Idol judge Paula Abdul has signed on to judge Simon Cowell’s new show, X Factor! We knew they made a great team!

Now that Idol is basically dying down, the new blood is going to take over. Paula will have her vicodin parade on the new show, sitting at the judge’s table with Antonio “L.A.” Reid, Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole.

Hosting the show will be Nicole Scherzinger and Steve Jones.

Did you miss the chemistry that she shared with Simon on Idol? Let us know your thoughts on the judges and hosts in the comments!

Simon Cowell said that he will reveal the judges for the U.S. version of X Factor in a few weeks and won’t give us any hints until he makes his announcement.

The show plans to launch next year, but Simon is keeping mum on the judges until his announcement next month. During a recent interview, he said, “I’m going to make an announcement within three or four weeks, which is going to tell everyone everything. There will be some surprises.”

The only hint he’s giving us is to say, “Okay, one of the judges has quite long hair.”

Rumor has it that he’s considering Katy Perry, Nicole Scherzinger and possibly Cheryl Cole.

Who do you want to see judging the show?

It was rumored that American Idol head honchos were looking to re-hire former judge Paula Abdul. It was said that since Simon Cowell will be jumping ship to do X Factor, that they would need something — or someone, to rejuvenate the show. And since Paula doesn’t seem to be busy, it would seem likely that they would go after her…since everyone loves her Vicodin parade.

Contact Music reports:

However, American Idol executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz denies reports Fox network executives are wooing Abdul back.

Frot-Coutaz tells the New York Daily News, “There’s no truth to that rumor.”

And there you have it! But do you think it’s smart to look over Paula for her former job? Or should she go to X Factor with Simon?

Paula Abdul was rumored to be joining Dancing With The Stars and even Simon Cowells’s newest venture in the US, X Factor, but rumor has it that she will be hosting and/or judging a new Star Search remake.

The show ran from 1983 to 1995, with host Ed McMahon running things. In 2004, Arsenio Hall tried to take the helm, but was unsuccessful. Now Paula is said to be taking over as host/judge for the show.

According to the Ausiello Files, Paula is in the process of closing the deal for the show:

The Alphabet network had been wooing Abdul since last summer when she officially announced her departure from Idol. There was talk of her joining Dancing With the Stars in some capacity, but a deal never came to fruition. It’s not clear if Abdul’s Star Search gig would preclude her from joining former colleague Simon Cowell as a judge on the forthcoming US version of his UK monster hit, The X Factor, which is slated to debut on Fox in the fall of 2011. (Star Search is being targeted for this summer.)

Do you think this is a good career move for Paula? Or should she have waited for X Factor to make its stateside debut?

Apparently “American Idol” is ready to jump on the Howard Stern bandwagon. After Mr. Nasty, Simon Cowell, announced that he was jumping ship next year for “X Factor” in the States, that left a lot of people wondering who is going to fill his shoes.

According to Page Six, it may just be the Shock Jock himself. Idol insiders say that Stern is their top pick for a replacement for Cowell and they have approached him to take his empty judge’s seat on the singing competition.

A source said, “It’s one of the few shows that could compete with Stern’s $100 million-a-year Sirius contract, and Idol bosses think he’s be even nastier than Simon. They know he would be great TV and would clash with the other judges such as Ellen DeGeneres and the contestants. Idol will do what it takes to sign him.” (continue reading…)

Susan Boyle’s idol, Elaine Paige calls the Scottish singer a “virus” and has dismissed her method of rising to fame.

Paige said, “I don’t particularly feel any pride for her – I’m sure she is proud of what she has done. It’s all about turning someone into an immediate celebrity at the expense of longevity and working hard and experience. Susan Boyle is doing terribly well considering she literally came to the attention of the world with the advent of Youtube. She was like a virus really that spread across the world in a nanosecond.”

She added, “She is a girl with no experience of anything to do with theatrics, the music business, or art in any way. Longevity is gained through knowledge, experience and effort so it will remain to be seen (if she will last). When I started (my career) YouTube didn’t exist but even then with 15 years of experience prior to my success (starring in the musical) Evita it was difficult, so I admire the way she has handled her sudden success. Britain’s Got Talent and The X Factor just take a bunch of people from real life who think they can sing and try and turn them into overnight ‘stars’ with a couple of songs. It’s not entertainment.”

Snap. But why so mean? Susan has had nothing but love for Elaine.

Update: Via Elaine Paige’s official Facebook, she has clarified her statements:

“I was dismayed to read the remarks attributed to me today in the Daily Mail which were incomplete and misinterpreted.

I am a huge supporter of Susan Boyle and admire what she has achieved; she has handled the extraordinary situation of being catapulted to worldwide stardom with tremendous strength, charm and dignity and I thoroughly enjoyed working with her on the ITV special we recorded together only last month.

I have always said it’s very hard for someone to be fast-tracked to stardom without any prior experience – I know this as it happened to me when ‘Evita’ opened and I found it extremely difficult in the beginning; today, of course, it’s much harder with the phenomenon of the internet – Facebook, YouTube etc – it seems it only takes minutes for fame to spread around the world – and that’s why I used the word ‘virus’! I wasn’t referring to Susan herself; I was referring to the speed of her fame spreading as fast as a worldwide viral marketing campaign.”

Thanks to those that sent this in!

According to TMZ, Paula Abdul might just be bringing the vicodin parade to the upcoming season of dancing competition, “Dancing With The Stars”.

ABC reportedly offered Abdul a $1,000,000 development deal, which has a catch, she would have to appear on DWTS.

With rumors swirling around that the former Idol judge is set to join Simon Cowell’s “X Factor”, this would leave her plenty of time to do both. I love Paul, I don’t know why they didn’t renew her “American Idol” contract. Maybe Simon was just saving her the drama?

“Dancing With The Stars” makes its premiere this March. Think she should go for it?

Simon Cowell knows a cash cow when he sees one! And “Twilight” actor Robert Pattinson is no different.

According to “The Sun“, Cowell approached Pattinson to sign a record deal.

In case you’ve missed it, RPattz does sing a little and has even contributed a song or two to the “Twilight” soundtrack.

A source said, “Robert is reluctant to be turned into a pop star – and takes his music very seriously. He is a bit wary of signing up with Cowell, who is, of course, associated with X Factor and pop.”

Should he do it???

Ryan Seacrest and Simon Cowell discussed Simon’s departure from “American Idol”.

Basically, Simon said that he was going to do both shows, originally, but “you can’t be on TV too much.”

Check out the mp3, after the jump! (continue reading…)

Paula Abdul is out and has been replaced as the female judge on “American Idol”, but rumor has it that Simon Cowell is going to be checking out of the singing competition next year, as well.

According to his brother, Tony Cowell, he’s gearing up for retirement from the show.

Tony said, “A press statement is being prepared which will confirm what everybody expected: Simon will leave Idol at the end of 2010 to concentrate on bringing the American version of ‘X Factor’ to U.S. TV in 2011.”

I’m not feelin’ that British BS — or as they say, bollocks.

Image Credit: Bauer-Griffin

Britney Spears performed on the X Factor today in Britain. She is making me get sick of hearing Womanizer, but with every performance, there is improvement.

Britney is definitely on her way to a comeback.