Image Credit: Bob Charlotte/Solarpix/Tina Gill/PR PhotosSomeday in the not too distant future, radio stations will have nothing to play because all the popular artists will be busy judging TV talent shows.
But until then, Simon Cowell’s X Factor has some seats to fill. It’s the next big singing competition series at bat to have flirtations with celebrity vocalists. With American Idol landing Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler, and now NBC’s upcoming The Voice tapping Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green and Adam Levine, the bar is set fairly high for Cowell’s venture, which debuts this fall.
So far there’s only one judge/coach hired — Cowell himself. But in an interview with Access Hollywood, the Brit mentioned a slew of celebrities that he’s talked to about joining the show (none have been hired):
Paula Abdul — A Simon-Paula reunion makes total sense, though her CBS dancing show Live to Dance was such a flop, it makes us wonder how much of a draw she really is.
Mariah Carey — A name that seems to be floated whenever a talent show is looking for judges.
Jessica Simpson — Some sources say she isn’t a serious candidate.
George Michael — Interesting…
And former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger — But she was just a judge NBC’s well-rated The Sing-Off.
What do you think? Would any of these candidates make you more/less likely to tune in next fall?
Read more:
Simon Cowell announces ‘The X Factor’ audition dates, explains how to win $5 million recording contract
‘The X Factor’: Register to audition right now
Pepsi named official sponsor of ‘The X Factor’
‘X Factor’ winner crowned in the UK, but can Matt Cardle cross over?
Simon Cowell: I don’t watch the new ‘Idol’
‘X Factor’ hopefuls competing for $5 million prize
Don’t forget Cheryl Cole.
I love Chezza but I’m not sure I want her to be a judge. I have been dying for some new music from Girls Aloud and if she becomes a judge on X Factor, that GA reunion will be put on hold.
I agree. I love her and would like to see her here on tv every week but I’d so much rather have Girls Aloud back together. They were awesome.
I wonder if there’s any way to poach Ben Folds and Nicole Scherzinger away from NBC’s other singing competition, The Sing-Off. Both are highly competent–Folds in particular is one of the best reality competition judges I’ve ever seen in action, rivaling Project Runway’s Nina Garcia and Top Chef’s Tom Collichio and Gail Simmons.
I second Ben Folds! Except for comparing him to Tom Collichio (and to a lesser extent Nina Garcia) because Tom’s turned into an over bloated egomaniac.
I would like a Simon/Mariah/George panel.
I’d like to see Simon, George, Cheryl and Nicole.
Simon, Cheryl Cole, Nicole & Josh Groban
I’d like to see a Simon/Chezza/Nicole or Simon/Chezza/Paula I’d love to see how Simon would handle both Cheryl Cole and Paula Abdul at the same time that could be hilarious.
i dont want to see Nicole…Shes not t hat popular – just cuz she was on dwts…when did she have a solo hit? These stars just want it to boost their careers. mariah m ight want to slow down and have regular hours after having her twins and remember her hubby is already in biz with simon on americas got talent so shed have the inside track. No one in the USA knows who cheryl cole is and no one can understand her. It ll be intersting to see how the voice does in april.. We’re gonna be sick n tired of all these singing competitions esp since they dont yield big stars..altho simon may find the new boy band or an older person…..but i dont want to see the same pple..dont you think all those idol castoffs would audition for xfactor and the voice…are they going to ban anyone wh o got screen time on idol?
Trust me, as a canadian living in England, you do NOT want cheryl cole as an x-factor judge. She is just a pretty face, virtually no talent, and is not a very good judge or mentor to her group of singers either.
Not a good mentor? Really? Is that why she won twice and came in 2nd this past season. You dope
She has won twice because she has had the easiest categories with the most obvious talents, well joe was just the sympathy vote! Shes never had a challenge but her song choices are awful you only had to watch Beatles week to see she only knew two Beatles songs and one wasnt even a Beatles one it was imagine!
I wouldnt trust you BECAUSE your a canadian living in england. Smells like a setup
I agree Cheryl got by purely by producer manipulation and Pimp spots. Her song choice is normally abysmal and her critiques normally amount to , “You’re hair is nice”.
MARIAH! Bring that fine piece in front of a camera! Id watch her fart so long as I could see where it was coming from!
I think Simon needs to keep looking, none of these are appealing!
Of all the judges on the UK X factor Cheryl Cole is just a pretty face. Danni gets old after a while but at least she has had a semi decent sole career. And louis had 20 odd years experience as a successful manager behind him but alas I don’t see him working over here. I would like to see George with Simon. Paula is more than likely there just because so the last seat I’d give to possibly Nicole. I think someone like Mariah would overshadow Simon and let’s face it he’s never going to let that happen..
I don’t know how its going to be, with Christina Aguilera named as a judge recently, but I would like to see George Michael come back,but it would bring out the troubled one considering his recent arrests. I however would like to see someone who has the talent and the voice to show for it, I would like to see Whitney Houston or Patti Labelle be considered. Someone whom has a real voice and not be considered a joke or fad, like Lady Gaga or Rihanna.
I loved Nicole Scherzinger when she helped out Simon and Louis Walsh on X-Factor in Britain – She gave great critiques and was aweet, smart and funny (which I had, by the way, not expected from her) Loved her.
Paula Abdul, yes! I do feel he needs an R&B guy though… Ne-Yo? Or certainly Jermaine Jackson could add something. If not Paula… Jessica Simpson would be great – and while I know they might be deemed too old, I think Sheena Easton, Jody Watley, Taylor Dayne (think: Paula before HER Idol comeback) could be good.
Simon, Katy Perry, and Katy Perry’s boobs