Paula Abdul Exits ‘X Factor’
Fellow mentor Nicole Scherzinger and host Steve Jones are also out; a source tells Deadline ‘none of the three left on their own accord.’
By Kara Warner
Paula Abdul
Photo: Mark Davis/ Gety Images
For any “X Factor” fans who are thinking season two of the Simon Cowell-created singing competition will be business as usual, think again, because Monday (January 30) marked a veritable bloodletting of the show’s key talent and judging panel.
In addition to the losses of mentor Nicole Scherzinger and host Steve Jones, original “American Idol” diva and delightfully unpredictable judge Paula Abdul will also not be returning to the program. A source close to Cowell told Deadline.com that all three personalities were asked to leave the show.
“None of the three left on their own accord,” Deadline editor Nikki Finke wrote of what her insider source told her of the mass exodus. “It was cleaning house day at the so-so rated show.”
Despite their frequent onscreen bickering and banter, Cowell spoke highly of Abdul when it was announced that she would be joining him on “X Factor.” “I missed her the second she left ['Idol'],” Cowell told Deadline last year. “Always loved working with her even though she can be a pain. I don’t know what it is about her, but I’ve always clicked with her. You just have to get that chemistry, and she’s right. I’ve never found anyone better than her.”
Former Pussycat Doll and “Dancing With the Stars” champ Scherzinger was also sent packing, although a source close to Scherzinger told E! News that she left the show to focus on her music career. “She’s spoken to Simon [Cowell], and he’s given her his blessing,” the insider told E! Scherzinger often became emotional during elimination episodes, shedding tears and expressing sympathy for ousted contestants.
As for inaugural “X Factor” host Jones, the cheeky Welshman broke the news himself via Twitter on Monday. “I won’t be hosting next seasons X Factor which is a shame but I cant complain as I’ve had a great time,” Jones tweeted to his more than 94,000 followers. “Good luck to everyone on the show.”
Jones had decidedly big shoes to fill stepping into the gig, with comparisons instantly made to “American Idol” host/ media mogul Ryan Seacrest. Throughout the season, the reviews of Jones’ hosting skills were decidedly mixed.
As far as we know, L.A. Reid will continue to work alongside Cowell on the judging panel. There has been no word yet from Fox on who might replace Abdul, Scherzinger and Jones, or when season two will premiere.
Who do you think should join “X Factor”? Share your ideas in the comments!
Related Artists
Mitt Romney Florida Supporters Feel The Momentum
‘I just really want to see some hope restored in America,’ one voter tells MTV News a day before Florida primary.
By Gil Kaufman
Mitt Romney greets supporters in Jacksonville
Photo: Joe Raedle/ Getty Images
JACKSONVILLE, Florida — One skipped school to be there, another took time out from her college courses and working at her two jobs to drop in, and both liked what they heard from Mitt Romney on Monday (January 30).
One day before the primary in the pivotal swing state of Florida, which could finally cement his status as the leader of the pack in the Republican presidential nominating contest, a pumped-up Romney took the stage at a Caterpillar equipment dealership to speak to an enthusiastic crowd.
His message of “real hope and change” resonated with Amy Gallogly, 23, a community college student who works at a tax service and an alarm company in the area. “I just really want to see some hope restored in American,” she said after the event wrapped as Romney shook hands and signed autographs while Kid Rock’s “Born Free” blasted from the speakers. “I’m just really pushing for any Republican candidate. … The one reason I really am pushing for Mitt Romney [though] is because I think he’s the one candidate who can beat Obama.”
High school senior Tori Reiman, 18, came with her mom, who works in the real-estate business in the state with the nation’s highest foreclosure rate. “I’m kind of over Obama,” she said. “He’s not doing his job. He’s raising the taxes on the richer side of American, which I don’t believe is fair.” Asked why she came out to the event, Reiman said, “I believe in Mitt Romney and I believe in America.”
Law student Eric Bast, 24, definitely picked up on Romney’s message of change, saying that he’s energized to participate in his first election. “I want to change it back,” said Bast, who recently registered to vote.
MTV is on the scene in Florida! Check back for up-to-the-minute coverage of the primaries and stick with PowerOf12.org throughout the 2012 presidential election season.
Related Videos
Diddy ‘Playful But Serious’ About Machine Gun Kelly Arrest
‘I talked to Puff today, and he’s like, ‘It’s all good,’ ‘ Bad Boy rapper tells MTV News.
By Rob Markman
Machine Gun Kelly
Photo: MTV News
When Diddy first announced that he signed Machine Gun Kelly to Bad Boy Records, he said he wanted the Cleveland, Ohio, breakout to stay “true to himself.” Since the deal, the “Wild Boy” rapper doesn’t seem to have changed very much. And after his arrest for misdemeanor disorderly conduct on Sunday morning, Puff didn’t seem too bent out of shape.
“@machinegunkelly where the f— are you at? Are you ok? Do you need Bail or a lawyer?????!! Eveyrone hit him to see if he’s ok,” Diddy wrote jokingly on Twitter. “@machinegunkelly WtF!!!!!! Call me at miami crib now!!!!! Everyone hit him and tell him to call me NOW!!!!! Pls thanks!!!!”
“You can tell he’s, like, playful with it, but there’s a serious tone behind [it],” Machine Gun Kelly told MTV News on Monday (January 30) about his boss’ reaction to the incident in a Florida club that led to the arrest. “I talked to Puff today, and he’s like, ‘It’s all good. Do what you do. You did what you had to do.’ ”
Diddy was very understanding — that is, until he misread a tweet while on the phone with Kells, which led him to believe his new protégé was put in cuffs twice this weekend. On Friday night, one of MGK’s friends was caught drunk driving and got into a car crash; Kells was not present, but try explaining that to Diddy.
“He thought I was in the car too, so he thought I got arrested twice. It was like the first arrest was cool, like, all right, he’ll let it slide. But when he [thought it was two arrests], he was like, ‘What the f—? You got arrested two times? Something is wrong with you, man,’ ” MGK said, imitating one of Puff’s patented tantrums. “He was, like, spazzing out. I think all the label is on edge about how we rock.”
This wasn’t Kelly’s first arrest either. Back in August 2011, the raging rapper was locked up and charged with disorderly conduct after police said he organized a flash mob in a Cleveland mall.
After this latest incident, Kelly promises no more run-ins with the law. He posted $100 bond and fired this message off on Twitter before heading off to New York City: “Thank you Florida for ragin this week. Lookin forward to seeing every state during this spring/summer tour (no more handcuffs tho!)”
Related Artists
Mitt Romney’s Grand Entrance And Big Finish Before Florida Primary
Traveling with the GOP presidential hopeful, you will hear the words to ‘America the Beautiful’ … a lot.
By Gil Kaufman
Mitt Romney talks to supporters in Florida
Photo: Gil Kaufman/ Getty Images
DUNEDIN, Florida — “How many times have we heard this song already?” That’s what a beat reporter who’s been traveling with the Mitt Romney campaign said Monday afternoon (January 30) at the day’s second campaign stop in Florida. With less than 24 hours to go before Tuesday’s primary, Romney was about to take the stage to the strains of one of his signature warm-up songs, Toby Keith’s “Made in America,” and the press corps knew what was going to happen next with their notebooks closed.
“I’m gonna wake up in the middle of the night singing it,” the reporter sighed as the crowd in Pioneer Park filed in on a picture-perfect winter day. But for the writers and camera people slogging it out on the trail, it was “Groundhog Day” all over again: new town, same routine.
While the patriotic country tune kept pumping, the crowd of several hundred suddenly turned around en masse as Romney’s bus pulled up about 15 minutes late. It seems that like college parties, for presidential candidates, it’s all about showing up just a bit late — and making a cool entrance.
Fittingly, Romney referred to the Obama administration as the “groundhog presidency,” because, the former Massachusetts governor said, “He keeps saying the same thing, but nothing ever changes.”
Romney talked about the trips he used to take with his family as a child — including a visit to Florida’s Cypress Gardens — but you could feel the press tuning out as they waited for the obligatory recitation of the candidate’s favorite lines from “America the Beautiful.”
Following a loss in South Carolina last week, Romney was making his final appearances before Tuesday’s crucial Florida vote and he seemed loose and spirited, perhaps thanks to the comfortable lead he opened up against rival Newt Gingrich in the polls as the primary approached.
He left the audience with a stark message about the man he wants to ensure is a one-term president. “He didn’t cause the recession,” Romney said of President Obama. “But he made it worse.”
MTV is on the scene in Florida! Check back for up-to-the-minute coverage of the primaries and stick with PowerOf12.org throughout the 2012 presidential election season.
Related Videos