The X Factor

The judges appear to be in place. But who will be The X-Factor's version of Ryan Seacrest this fall?

Entertainment Weekly reports that two names are close to finalizing deals as the competition's co-hosts: former High School Musical star Corbin Bleu and former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherziner.

Bleu made his mark on the Disney Channel, but he's since gone on to anchor In the Heights on Broadway for a run. Scherzinger, meanwhile, is a favorite of producer Simon Cowell, who says he absolutely adores the beauty.

Contracts for both will need to be signed soon, as production is scheduled to begin on May 8.

[Photos: WENN.com]

It looks like Simon Cowell has fulfilled his dream judging panel for The X-Factor.

With producer L.A. Reid already on board, Deadline Hollywood reports that Paula Abdul and Cheryl Cole are nearing deals to finalize their roles on the upcoming singing competition.

Both have worked with Cowell in the past; Abdul on American Idol and Cole on the British version of The X-Factor.

“I’ve always wanted Paula," Simon told the publication. "I’ve never found anyone better than her... We’ve agreed that we would meet as many people as possible, and now we’re reaching the deadline we’ve got to make the decision soon. But I think she’s got a really good shot.”

As for Cole? “Shes a great judge. She’s smart... If people take to her like the British public did, I think she’s going to do really well in America. And Fox was desperate to hire her."

Well, yeah. The X-Factor champion will receive $5 million, along with the chance to ogle Cole for numerous weeks on the show.

L.A. Reid was the first judge confirmed for the U.S. version of X Factor this year. Now HE confirms that long-rumored judge Cheryl Cole will be there with him.

The top music producer is also confident that between himself, Cheryl and creator Simon Cowell, the show will do just fine against its reality TV competition.

“We’re gonna compete against American Idol just fine. I’m confident. But along with Simon Cowell and Cheryl, I don’t know who the other judge is,” he said.

Who will fill out the panel with Cheryl and L.A.?

Others rumored to be joining the U.S. version of the show:

• Nicole Scherzinger
• Jessica Simpson
• Nicki Minaj

Which of those ladies would you like to see as a judge on the show? Or is there another celebrity you think would be a better fit for Simon's project?

Jessica Simpson is the latest celeb rumored to be joining L.A. Reid as a judge on Simon Cowell's highly anticipated X Factor. She confirmed this - and her interest.

"They have definitely talked to me about X Factor," Simpson told WWD, adding of the upcoming show, "I think it would be a lot of fun. It's definitely my life."

"To be a mentor for up-and-coming artists is right up my alley. I would have loved to have had a mentor. I love watching people's dreams come true."

MENTOR: Jessica Simpson would be, like, so amazing as one.

The 30-year-old singer, who broke out at age 19 but has not had a hit song in years, still keeps mighty busy these days with a highly successful fashion empire.

She's also engaged to Eric Johnson. But they might elope anyway, so she can spare the time, and add credibility to the panel. Hey, she was a popular singer.

Rumors also hint that Nicole Scherzinger and British X Factor judge and pop star Cheryl Cole may join the panel, with Cowell confirming she's "in the mix."

Auditions for the show have already begun, so the judges (and hosts) will surely be confirmed soon. What do you think? Does Jess have what it takes?

Nicki Minaj is out. Might Nicole Scherzinger be in?

The hip hop star will not judge The X-Factor, but Simon Cowell himself sounds very close to naming the former Pussycat Doll as the second judge on his upcoming singing competition.

"I want her to do it, but we've got to get the deal done and find someone she has chemistry with," Cowell tells TV Guide. "I absolutely adore her. She was fantastic on the U.K. X Factor and I'm hopeful it will happen."

Cowell says Cheryl Cole is in the mix and also explains his connection to L.A. Reid, who has been confirmed for the panel.

"I met him approximately fifteen years ago when he'd launched Pink for the first time. He put on a show and got every single person in the room to believe this person was a star. The way he presented her with his passion drew me to him and was a big part of why I chose him to be on the show. A "yes" or "no" from L.A. Reid should really mean something to the contestants."

Will X mark the judging spot for Nicki Minaj?

Insiders tell The New York Post that Simon Cowell has met with this hip hop star about coming on board The X-Factor this fall as a judge. She would join recently-announced producer L.A. Reid on the panel if she agreed to make the move.

"Simon thinks Nicki is fantastic. She's sassy, she looks great and she has bags of personality," a source tells the newspaper. "Nicki has a large following and she fits well with the ethos of the show, which plans to usher in a new generation of musical talent."

Auditions for The X-Factor kick off on March 27.

This would be an unusual gig for Minaj to accept, considering her current popularity. Most singers join a reality show to revive a career (see Aguilera, Christina on The Voice and Lopez, Jennifer on American Idol). Other names under consideration include Tommy Mottola, Nicole Scherzinger and Cheryl Cole.

[Photo: Pacific Coast News]

UPDATE: We can now answer the question posed in the headline: No. Sources have said Minaj will NOT serve as a judge.

It looks like Simon Cowell has found the next version of... himself?

Record executive Antonio "L.A." Reid has been tapped as a judge on The X Factor, the singing competition Cowell is bringing over from Great Britain and which will debut on Fox in the fall.

While he makes no mention of the new gig, Reid sent out an email to his staff this morning that read: "I have decided to leave my position as chairman of the Island Def Jam Music Group. I have always thrived on growth and the next great challenge, and I look forward with much enthusiasm to what the future holds."

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It won't premiere until the fall, but Fox is already starting to push The X Factor.

A commercial aired for the upcoming competition during Super Bowl XLV, and producer Simon Cowell took part in a conference call with reporters yesterday, talking to us about the show's massive grand prize, among other topics.

On the $5 million prize: "The money rightly puts an enormous amount of pressure on people... it's a massive, massive risk. But it's also an incredible incentive."

Might Paula Abdul judge? "I'm a massive fan of Paula's. When you work with somebody as long as I did with Paula... we were friends 80 percent of the time and interestingly, we've been in contact (after 'Idol'). I'm not going to say on this call who we are going to confirm or not confirm, but we're talking to a number of people."

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Simon Cowell is not exactly a man who specializes in subtlety.

The former American Idol judge returned to the airways during Super Bowl XLV with a commercial that didn't merely announce, "He's Back." It did so in grand, god-like fashion.

Cowell then revealed plans to award the winner of this fall's The X Factor with the biggest cash prize in reality show history: $5 million.

The X Factor Preview

Speaking on the difference between The X Factor and Idol, Simon said in a statement today:

“I like the idea that a 12-year-old on this show can compete with an older singer and a singing group. I’ve never believed there should be a cut-off age for talent, and we are going to put our money where our mouths are with the $5 million recording contract. I’m doing this show in America because I genuinely believe we can find a superstar.”

Hit Matt Cardle one more time, folks, this singer is the new X Factor champion!

The aspiring singer, whose story of working as a painter appealed to British fans, was mentored by Dannii Minogue throughout the competition.

He was voted the winner on last night's finale, which was the most-watched in series history, earning over 19 million viewers at its peak and making it clear why Fox is importing this smash to America next year.

Will Cardle become the next Susan Boyle, a European artist who rides the wave of his reality show success to worldwide fame? Listen to him cover a Britney Spears classic here and decide for yourself:

Matt Cardle on X Factor