The X Factor

Might Mariah Carey join husband Nick Cannon in the reality show spotlight?

Sources say Mariah is in serious talks to join The X-Factor this fall as a mentor to contestants, with one mole telling Entertainment Weekly there's a decent chance to comes on board later in the season.

“Mariah and Simon are great friends, and now [that] she has had her babies, it’s very possible that she will be involved," the insider said. "She has always said she wanted to work with the show, so it’s something they will certainly be discussing ideas for soon.”

Cowell, as is his way, was far more blunt: this IS happening.

“She’ll be involved in some form," he said. "I literally adore her. I love her to bits.”

The X-Factor premieres on Fox on September 21 and will feature Nicole Scherzinger, L.A. Reid and Paula Abdul as judges. Look for a sneak peek at the competition to air during the MLB All-Star Game on July 12.

[Photo: WENN.com]

In a matter of weeks, Cheryl Cole has gone from the X-Factor judge we were most excited to see... to someone without a job.

Earlier this month, Simon Cowell tried to explain what happened with the British pop star - who was removed from his show's judging panel after just a couple days of auditions - and now Cole herself has spoken out for the first time about the flap.

Dear X-Factor: WHY?!?

“Hi my Gorgeous ones," Cole wrote on her blog. "It’s me! I wanted to talk to you all direct, and first and foremost thank you all for your continued love, unbelievable LOYALTY and support and remind you that I love you all to bits. Where do I start? I have had the weirdest past few weeks (nothing unusual there though.) I wouldn’t even know how to begin to tell you all about it."

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Simon Cowell says Cheryl Cole is "one of [his] closest friends."

This may come as a surprise, considering the pop singer was just let go from her judging gig on The X-Factor, but Cowell says the move was made with Cole's well-being in mind.

“Not many people will believe that, but that’s the truth,” Cowell told The Associated Press today. “She was good on the American show, [but] I personally thought she was missing her family and friends. She just looked... not as happy as I’ve seen her on previous shows.”

Now, Cole is off both versions of the competition. Simon says the plan was to keep her on the British version, but then word of her American firing got out and "things went south... fast."

Has he spoken to her since the debacle? Yes, via text message.

“She told me she wasn’t happy but that she also accepted it was a business decision and she wished the show well. Typically, in Cheryl form, she was disappointed but charming at the same time.

We know Cheryl Cole is ridiculously gorgeous. But that's about all we can say for certain right now about the British pop singer.

Over the past few weeks, Cole has been hired as a judge for the U.S. version of The X-Factor, then promptly let go after just a few days of audition and now... well, it's all a bit unclear.

Over the weekend, Fox and producer Freemantle called Cole's manager and reportedly said they “want to ensure she still has a role on the show,” even if it's in a limited capacity.

One big reason why? Cheryl will be paid her $1.5 million contract regardless of whether or not she appears on air.

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Cheryl Cole is definitely out as a judge on the upcoming U.S. version of The X-Factor. But can the same now be said about the show's British counterpart?

According to The Daily Mail, producers offered the singer "an olive branch" and asked her to remain on the series that really made her famous. But Cole has refused all efforts.

"Cheryl will not be returning to the British X Factor," a source told the newspaper. "She hasn't returned phone calls. And you can't exactly negotiate with someone who won't even speak to you."

Cheryl Cole lost weight and dumped Derek Hough - but it still wasn't enough to keep her on The X-Factor.

So, who will be taking over for Cole? Kelly Rowland has reportedly been chosen to fill that spot on the judges' table.

The former Destiny's Child member will join Tulisa Contostavlos, Gary Barlow and Louis Walsh on the British X-Factor.

Long before it airs a single episode, there's already been a shake-up on The X-Factor.

Cheryl Cole, the most popular panelist on the British version of Simon Cowell's singing competition, has been replaced as judge by Nicole Scherzinger, who had been slated to host the show with Steve Jones.

Sources say there was a "lack of chemistry" between Cole and Abdul and that producers actually believed the former's English accent would be too heavy for viewers to understand. No word yet on whether or not Jones will now host the show alone.

Loosen up your buttons, viewers, Nicole Scherzinger will be a judge on The X-Factor.

With its full cast of judges and hosts assembled, The X-Factor has released its first, official, extended promo.

In the video below, Simon Cowell hypes the largest prize ever handed out for a reality show ($5 million!), while the names and images of the stars associated with the competition flash across the screen: Cheryl Cole! Nicole Scherzinger! Paula Abdul!

Will you be tuning in this fall? The X-Factor will air twice per week on Fox, American Idol-style, with a performance show and a results show. Check out the 90-second trailer now:

The X Factor Promo

This fall, male The X-Factor fans may tune in for the voices - but they'll likely stay for the looks.

Of Cheryl Cole and Nicole Scherzinger, that is.

The former, a British pop singer, will sit at the judging panel alongside Simon Cowell, L.A. Reid and Simon Cowell; while the latter, an American pop singer, will co-host the singing competition with Steve Jones. How will each do? Forget that question and answer this one:

Which would you rather do?

Paula Abdul is officially back.

It took a last-second deal, but the former American Idol judge will rejoin Simon Cowell this fall on Fox, helping to judge The X-Factor. She just released her first statement on the gig:

"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 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!"

The X-Factor kicked off auditions in Los Angeles on Sunday, with Simon and Paula looking as cozy as ever. The former is psyched to be reunited with his friend and co-worker. Said Cowell:

"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."

[Photo: WENN.com]

One was a sure thing, the other is a relative unknown in the States.

But both will soon be taking up time on your TV screen, as Nicole Scherzinger and Steve Jones have been named co-hosts of The X-Factor.

"These two are going to be great together," series creator Simon Cowell said of the choices. "I have always wanted Steve to work with us; I think he is a real star. Nicole is fantastic. I loved working with her on the U.K. X Factor last year. She is gorgeous and super-talented."

Scherzinger has been rumored as a host for weeks, while Jones' selection comes as a bit of a surprise. Corbin Bleu had been considered the favorite to appear alongside the former Pussycat Doll.

The X-Factor kicked off auditions this weekend and will air on Fox in September.

[Photos: Fame, WENN.com]