By Sarah Fitzmaurice


The face of fury: Simon Cowell was angered his act Drew was kicked out of the competition tonight after none of the other judges selected to save her in the sing off


He still has Melanie Amaro and Rachel Crow in the competition so there’s still a good chance that Simon Cowell could win the X Factor USA with one of his acts.

But the music mogul was left furious and refused to speak to the other judges after his act Drew was sent home from the competition.

Drew and Marcus Canty found themselves fighting for the final place in the singing competition, but the 14-year-old failed to impress the other judges and was voted out of the competition along with Astro who had been told his fate earlier in the show.


Drew pleaded with the judges to save her ahead of her save me song and deplored: ‘I’m nervous and I just hope everybody can see me true talent and I hope that shows in my save me song.’

Trying to channel her emotions into her track Listen To Your Heart by Roxette Drew put all her effort into the performance but it was not enough to compete with Marcus’s rendition of Gladys Knight & The Pips' Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye).


Not happy: As Simon learned that Drew would be leaving the competition he was angry and stormed up from his seat on the judging panel, meanwhile Drew broke down in tears

That's not the spirit: As Paula sealed Drew's fate Simon jumped from his seat and stormed off in a fury


Following the songs for survival LA was the first to select the person he wanted to stay and despite saying it was a difficult decision for him he predictably chose Marcus, whom he mentors.

Simon was up next and begged Paula and Nicole to save his act declaring that it was his fault she was in the sing off.

He explained: ‘The reason drew is in this position tonight is my fault I take total responsibility. I genuinely believe you deserve a second chance. I’m begging these two to give her another chance.’

Singing for survival: Drew had gone up against Marcus Canty in the sing off


With Simon choosing Drew to remain in the competition it was down to the girls to seal the fate of the acts.

Nicole explained that the decision was an extremely tough and emotional one for her to make and she told: ‘I know that I’ve been really hard on you the past few weeks but that’s only because you are the best and I believe in you.’

She told Marcus: ‘ When you sing I feel like your heart is on the floor for all to see.’


Saving his own: While LA Reid said he had a tough decision to make he chose to save his own act Marcus and sent Drew home after the sing off

'It's my fault': Simon was up next and chose to save his act Drew but appealed to Paula and Nicole to save her too


Nicole added: ‘I adore and appreciate both of you,’ before making her decision and she said: ‘The act I’m sending home is Drew.’

The decision to send Drew home or to take the competition to deadlock was left in Paula Abdul’s hands, the only judge without any acts left in the running.

She reviewed: ‘I love and respect both of you.’


Nicole added: ¿I adore and appreciate both of you,¿ before making her decision and she said: ¿The act I¿m sending home is Drew'

Delivering the blow: Paula explained that the save me song had to ¿move me¿ and she admitted that Drew had failed to do that before she sent her home


But she explained that the save me song had to ‘move me’ and she admitted that Drew had failed to do that before she sent her home.

As the 14-year-old’s fate was sealed Simon got up out of his chair and stormed off while Drew could be heard sobbing loudly.

She managed to composure herself enough to scream: ‘I want to say thank you to my fans and I’m going to keep going and I’ve a lot to show you guys and it’s a lot more upbeat.’


Warm embrace: As Drew broke down realising her time in the competition was over Marcus gave her a warm hug before Simon joined her on stage


Tears: Through her sobs Drew told fans:'I want to say thank you to my fans and I¿m going to keep going and I¿ve a lot to show you guys and it¿s a lot more upbeat'

Radio silence: As Steve asked Simon if he had anything to say to the judges the music mogul said he had nothing to say


When Steve Jones asked her mentor if he had anything to say he replied: ‘I don’t want to say anything.’

As he comforted a distraught Drew, who was crying loudly into his chest Steve pushed him for a comment.

He replied: ‘I’ll say it backstage’, before adding that he thinks she is a star.

Simon also refused to speak to any of the other judges and looks furious.


Taking it well: Earlier in the show Astro kept his cool when he was told he got the lowest public votes and would be leaving the competition


Quiet whisper: While Astro was told he was out of the competition Simon told him 'You know you've got a career'

Ecstatic: Josh Krajcik was delighted to still be in the competition and picked up his mentor Nicole into the air


As her final moments on the show came to an end Drew blurted out: ‘Jesus loves all of your guys and I didn’t have the chance to say it before but that is why I am in this competition.’

While Drew struggled to contain her composure, earlier in the show Astro bowed out of the competition gracefully.

He was told he had received the lowest votes but didn’t appear disheartened by the news.

Learning he was leaving he was seen clapping and hugging LA Reid.


What a treat: Viewers were gifted with a performance by Tinie Tempah who rapped his Brit winning song Pass Out

Electrifying! The British singer was accompanied on stage by a band and plenty of lights


As he hugged Simon the Syco boss whispered: ‘You know you’ve got a career.’

While Astro had refused to sing a save me song initially a few weeks ago he took his elimination from the competition in much better spirits.

He told viewers: ‘It’s for the better. I will be back. Team Astro.’

He also wished the other contestant the ‘best of luck’ before telling his own fans ‘it aint over’.


Standing ovation: The rapper was treated to a rousing applause from the judges


Still in the running: Melanie Amaro and Rachel Crow were delighted to learn they safe at the start of the show

Who me? Chris Rene also appeared shocked to learn he was straight through to next week


LA Reid gushed: ‘This is the one of the most fascinating guys I have ever met. You are a star it’s that simple.’

Midway through the results show viewers were treated to an electrifying performance by British rapper Tinie Tempah.

He performed his Brit Award winning single Pass Out accompanied by plenty of neon lights and lasers.

Man in the Mirror: The final seven opened the show with a rendition of Michael Jackson's hit song


In keeping with the Michael Jackson tribute theme from Wednesday night all contestants opened the show with a rendition of the King Of Pop's Man In the Mirror.

After the group song Rachel Crow, Melanie Amaro and Chris Rene were told they were safe from elimination.

Josh Krajcik is also safe and he and Marcus Canty are also in the final five and still in the running to bag the $5million recording contract.



source:dailymail

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Thankful: X Factor USA contestant Chris Rene had his life change virtually overnight after appearing on the singing competition

X Factor USA has only been on the air for one week and it's already had a life changing effect on up-and-coming singer Chris Rene.

The former drug addict has spent much of his life in and out of trouble, but now things are looking up.

Since taking stage on the talent competition, Chris has become a YouTube sensation and his long-lost son has learned that the X Factor talent is his biological father.


We've reached a decision: All four judges give Chris yes votes, allowing him to move on to the next round

When Chris performed the reality competition, he told the judges he had been clean and sober for 70 days after leaving rehab.

The rising star made it to the next round after receiving four yes votes from judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, LA Reid and Nicole Scherzinger.

But both Reid and Cowell told Chris he needed to remain on the 'right track'.
Adding to Chris's whirlwind week, he announced this weekend on Facebook that his six-year-old son now knows Chris is his father.


Yes: An excited Chris raises his hands into the air to celebrate his success

Chris wrote: 'I am so happy i can't express my joy with words!!! I feel a new song coming though. So Blessed.'

Chris's son, who lives in foster care is named Elijah.
But for the first two years of Elijah's life, Chris didn't know he had fathered the child.


Overwhelmed: Chris is overtaken with emotion after getting a stamp of approval from the judges

Elijah's foster parents have since allowed Chris to spend time with him, but they have always told the child that Chris is a close family friend, until recently.

Chris has another son who is three-years-old, who is likely savouring in his father's success after the singer shot to stardom on YouTube with his X Factor audition racked up 1.7 million hits on the website in just three days.


Chris Rene - Audition 1 - THE X FACTOR 2011



source: dailymail

By Daily Mail Reporter


Downbeat: X Factor USA judge Nicole Scherzinger on the set of a Vogue magazine photo shoot in Los Angeles this week


U.S. television critics branded her a 'downgrade' from axed X Factor USA judge Cheryl Cole, and it seems the bad reviews may be getting under Nicole Sherzinger's skin.

The usually effervescent former Pussycat Dolls singer looked decidedly flat on the set of a Vogue magazine photoshoot in Los Angeles.

She looked stylish in an off-white dress, which was more modest than her standard wardrobe with its above-the-knee hemline and high neckline.


The frock showcased the 33-year-old's trim figure and toned arms.

But her trademark mega-watt smile was nowhere to be seen and she was instead sporting a furrowed brow.

She, along with Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and LA Reid are judges on X Factor USA, which premiered on Wednesday night to mixed reviews.

Stylish: The 33-year-old singer looked sleek in a white dress


Nicole was initially chose to host the show alongside Welshman Steve Jones, but was promoted onto the panel when Cole was fired.

Cowell made the executive decision to make the change because the Geordie judge seemed 'bewildered.'

The jury is still out on whether it was the right choice.

The X Factor: Scherzinger and her fellow judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and LA Reid


'It’s a downgrade,' says Neil Glenzinger of The New York times. 'Ms Cole showed glimmers of being interesting; in two seasons as a judge on The Sing-Off on NBC, Ms. Scherzinger was a pretty face but, judicially speaking, not much more than a seat warmer.'

Steve Johnson of The Chicago Tribune agreed: 'Scherzinger doesn't come off as an obvious improvement in the early going. She's more earnest like Kara DioGuardi than lovable like Jennifer Lopez.'

Entertainment Weekly's Ken Tucker was also sceptical about the appointment, saying last month: 'The immortal description of Clive James re Liza Minnelli holds true of Scherzinger: "She can’t even descend a staircase with sincerity."'

Replaced: The former Pussycat Doll took over X Factor UK judge Cheryl Cole's short-lived job


source:dailymail

By Lara Gould


Separate lives: Cheryl Cole and Simon Cowell (pictured together X Factor UK in 2010) have had no contact since she was sacked from X Factor USA


Her sizzling on-screen chemistry with Simon Cowell was cited as the reason she landed a £2 million contract on X Factor USA.

But two months after being humiliatingly sacked from the series, Cheryl Cole has apparently had no contact with her former mentor, severing all ties with the man once credited as making her a star.

A source close to the former Girls Aloud singer, who is in Los Angeles on an extended sabbatical, says despite 51-year-old Cowell planning to fly out to the city in the next two weeks, the pair have ‘no plans to meet up either now or in the foreseeable future’.

Friends no more? Simon and Cheryl at the 2011 Fox Upfront Presentation shortly before it was announced that Cheryl had been dropped from X Factor USA


The source said: ‘They have both moved on with their lives. She hasn’t spoken to him and they have no plans to see each other in America.’

Miss Cole once described Cowell as ‘one of the most important people in my life’ in an interview with Mail on Sunday columnist Piers Morgan last year.

She went on to say: ‘He’s annoying, but I do love him.’

But the rift which was triggered by her sacking from X Factor USA is said to have widened after the singer publicly rekindled her relationship with her ex-husband, Chelsea and England defender Ashley Cole, at her 28th birthday party in London earlier this month.

A source close to Cowell said: ‘Cheryl is the last person on Simon Cowell’s mind at the moment. The party line if anyone in Simon’s group of friends is asked about her is to say, “Cheryl is still a star”.

‘He doesn’t want to talk about Cheryl and they know not to bring her name up.

'He will never openly criticise her but there is no relationship between them now.’

After being sacked in May, a move understood to have been ordered by senior executives at the Fox TV network, it was claimed Miss Cole refused to take calls from Cowell and X Factor representatives – a move that led ITV to withdraw its offer for her to resume her job on the panel of the British series.

Cheryl and Ashley Cole married in 2005, but split four years later after he was accused of cheating with five different women.

Cowell was said to have encouraged Miss Cole to leave the marriage, which ended in divorce last September, claiming it would harm her chances of success in America if she stayed with her husband.

Replaced: Nicole Scherzinger (second from right), who replaced Cheryl on the show, with fellow judges L.A. Reid Paula Abdul and Simon


source:dailymail

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER


Pretty in pink: Cowell's sweater and sincere gaze echo the demeanour of Idol judge Jennifer Lopez in the spoof


Applauding and praising tuneless auditions, cosying up to fellow judges, driving an environmentally-friendly car and wearing a pink jumper - it all adds up to Simon Cowell's worst nightmare.

But there is a seam of reality in the first X Factor USA promo, because the crew are cheekily sending up Cowell's former U.S. show, American Idol.

The action opens in an audition room that looks suspiciously like the hotel room used in the hit show, and the panel of judges are dressed in pastel hues, a favourite palette of Jennifer Lopez.


Emotive: Nicole Scherzinger mirrors Lopez' encouraging hand gestures


An immediate focus on positivity is evident - which was the all pervading force of the last Idol series, even between the judges, thanks to the sardonic British producer's departure.

Simon, clad in cotton candy cashmere, leads the way by lavishing praise upon awful acts and holding hands with Paula Abdul, while all the judges make emotional gesticulations, like the Idol Panel.

But perhaps the most obvious dig is Paula Abdul's opening remark that the young girl who murders Tomorrow from the film Annie has 'spirit.'


Parody: The X Factor crew send up their Idol counterparts


Detail: Even the drinks on the judges' table in Idol was echoed in the skit


This is most definitely Simon Cowell setting out his stall, the promo implicitly promises that the X Factor USA will have the edge over all over other talent shows.

And as the X Factor is on Fox, the same network as Idol, it's a typically audacious piece of bombast from the celebrated producer.


Rude awakening: With his face in his hands, Simon Cowell wakes up in his luxurious bedroom after a nightmare about the X Factor USA


Thank God for that! A look of relief on his face, Simon snaps back into reality


The promo opens with Simon sitting with his fellow X Factor judges Paula Abdul, Nicole Scherzinger and L.A Reid, wearing a pink cable knit jumper.

A small girl then presents herself to them and starts to sing Tomorrow from Annie very badly.

But rather than cut her off after a couple of notes, Simon patiently waits for her to finish, claps and says, 'That's what I've been waiting for.'

Abdul, to Simon's left, praises the plucky child's spirit, and as the camera pans to the dream-breaker, there's a sharp intake of breath.


No more Mr Nasty Guy? Simon Cowell wears pink and applauds contestant in the new preview for X Factor USA


Times a changing: The new cuddly Simon gets a kiss from Paula Abdul in the new promo


New Look: The panel. including Simon, Nicole and L.A Reid appear to have gone soft



Lucky girl: The awful rendition of Annie would usually have earned her a rejection


A New Decade: 'It's not about me, it's about them,' Simon insists


Eat my dust: The back of Simon's Bugatti, with personalised number plate is seen whizzing past


Jet Set: The team mean business as they are seen strutting away from their private jet


Welsh boy done good: Host Steve Jones (far right) joins the team as they head into the studio


Primed and ready: The four judges will be ready to find a new pop star when the show air on September 21


'We wanted to make something which showed what the show ‘could’ have been, my nightmare basically, then transitioning into what we really are and I thought it would be fun to make that.

'I literally really imagined my worst nightmare, and I put myself into that place and it was that.. Me, loving this song, Paula and I holding hands and I’m now turning into Paula everything is just... awful!. I just suspended my disbelief!'

The X Factor has it's two-Night Series premiere Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 8/7c and Thursday, Sept. 22 at 8/7c on FOX.




source: dailymail

By Jody Thompson


High flyer: Cheryl Cole was smiling broadly as she arrived in Los Angeles earlier today


She had kept a low profile to lick her wounds since she fled America following her shock sacking from the X Factor USA - but now Cheryl Cole has sensationally flown back to the States with Girls Aloud bandmate Kimberley Walsh.

The girls were seen arriving at Los Angeles LAX airport last night and Cheryl had a massive smile on her face.

The defiant 28-year-old star was looking gorgeous in a Mongolian lamb waistcoat, jeans, black sandals and a blue T-shirt which she'd accessorised with a mushroom coloured handbag and beautiful big tortoiseshell sunglasses.

Girls together: Cheryl jetted into LAX with her Girls Aloud bandmate Cheryl Cole

Firm friends: Cheryl kept a tight grip on Kimberley's hand as they arrived back in the U.S. - where the star had been humiliated just weeks ago


Kimberley, 29, meanwhile was in a multi-coloured print catsuit with a white belt and cream leather jacket, tan sandals and big black sunglasses.

As to the nature of girls' trip and whether it's business or pleasure, Cheryl's spokesperson told Mail Online: 'Cheryl is taking some time out as she said on her website last month.'

However, it's possible she could be househunting.

It was rumoured earlier this week that Cheryl has made a list of demands to ex Ashley Cole, 30, before they get back together.

Beaming: The star looked stunning in casual jeans and a Mongolian lamb waistcoat

Taking the lead: Kimberley took charge and lead her friend to their waiting car


It included a new family home - as well as an LA 'lovenest'.

However, Ashley remained in Britain as he is back in training at his football club Chelsea.

He returned to work with his teammates at the club's training ground in Cobham on Wednesday.

Cheryl was left humiliated when she was sacked from the U.S. version of the X Factor in May after just two weeks as a judge.

She was replaced by Nicole Scherzinger, who had been due to be a co-host on the series with Welsh hunk Steve Jones.

Producers were concerned her Geordie accent would be too difficult for an American audience to understand.

The devastated star immediately fled the States and hid out for weeks as she recovered.

Ill-fated: Cheryl, far right, with the original X Factor USA line-up of (L-r) Steve Jones, Nicole Scherzinger, LA Reid, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell in May


She was so furious with show boss Simon Cowell that she even turned down the chance to return to the UK version.

Since her sacking, she disappeared from public view, and only emerged again last week with a brand new lighter bobbed hairstyle.

And myriad rumours have swirled this week surrounding her apparently rekindled romance with ex Ashley after they made a public display of affection at her 28th birthday in London last Friday.

Some reports say they're back together on Cheryl's condition that her mother Joan Callaghan is allowed to move back in with them, whereas other say he's banned her as he blamed the marriage breakdown on her constant presence.

New look: Cheryl at her 28th birthday party at London's Sanderson Hotel last week where she cosied up with ex Ashley Cole


Cheryl and Ashley are rumoured to be in the process of setting up home again together again in the £6million mansion they once shared in Hurtmore, Surrey.

Chelsea player Cole, 30, was awarded the house after their divorce was finalised in October, while his former wife moved into a rented home in Hadley Wood, Hertfordshire.

It's said that the Promise This star has also asked the England star to ditch his friends, who she deems as a bad influence, and has ordered that he check in with her twice a day on his mobile so she can keep track of his whereabouts.

Cheryl, who divorced cheating Ashley last September, is also said to want a top of the range recording studio, a secret exotic wedding, a luxury honeymoon, a ring 'that can be seen from outer space'.

Back on? The pair are said to have reunited despite Ashley allegedly cheating on Cheryl numerous times during their marriage


source:dailymail