Enrique’s out and Nicole is in as presenter of the American adaptation of Britain’s The X Factor.
Pussycat Dolls Nicole Scherzinger has edged out Spanish crooner Enrique Iglesias to become the singing star who’ll be chaneling their inner Ryan Seacrest when the talent show premieres on FOX in September.
If reports out of London are to be believed, Cowell has snapped up Scherzinger to host The X Factor after originally tipping the stunner, 32, for a role on the judging panel.
“Never has there been so much behind-the-scenes wheeling and dealing as with ‘X Factor’ USA. Having lined up Nicole as a potential judge, Simon decided to try something different and unexpected, and have a non-mainstream presenter present,” an insider close to the deal told Britain’s Daily Mirror this week.
“Nicole’s had screen tests and is a natural in front of the camera. Autocue does not faze her at all. As an established singer, both as a solo artist and in a group, Nicole will be great with the contestants and knows what she is talking about. The approach was made a few weeks ago. And although she has still not formally signed, it’s all looking very positive.”
There’s a frenzy of speculation about who’ll join Cowell on the upcoming show. The latest names on the list are Gossip Girl star-turned-wild child rocker Taylor Momsen and hip-hopster Nicki Minaj, whose debut disc Pink Friday recently went platinum. The only confirmed X Factor star so far is legendary music producer L.A. Reid, who’ll act with Simon as a mentor to the show’s contestants.
“I am proud to stand next to my dear friend Simon Cowell, one of the world’s most gifted and charismatic talent magnets,” Reid said in the statement. “‘The X Factor’ provides an extraordinary opportunity for aspiring artists of every age and genre to showcase their unique talents. I truly look forward to discovering our next generation of superstars,” he added.
X Factor auditions kick off in Los Angeles March 27. The audition tour will make subsequent stops in Miami, Newark, Seattle, Chicago, and Dallas.
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