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Shocker: Paula Abdul is out at 'X Factor'
Published: 1/31/2012 10:06 AM
Last Modified: 1/31/2012 2:42 PM


Singer/choreographer Paula Abdul won't be returning to "The X Factor" in the fall. NINO MUNOZ/Fox

And then there were two.

Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul confirmed Tuesday she will not be returning to the reality competition "The X Factor," according to deadline.com. The Web site reported reported Monday that only Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid will be back when the show returns next fall. Fox confirmed Monday that host Steve Jones and judge Nicole Scherzinger are also no longer with the show.

Abdul, who was Cowell's co-judge on "American Idol" from 2002-2009, joined "X Factor" for its freshman season on Fox. Cowell, who left "AI" after 10 seasons, told reporters at the time "I missed her the second she left…. You just have to get that chemistry and she's right. I’ve never found anyone better than her."

The plan was to bring that "chemistry" to "The X Factor" which Cowell predicted in August 2011 would draw more than 20 million viewers. It did not. The viewership was an estimated 8 million viewers short, causing reduced profits and loss of ad revenue, according to hollywoodreporter.com.

"American Idol" producer Nigel Lythgoe was surprised by the news, tweeting Monday, "Shocked to see Simon has fired Paula Abdul, Nicole and Steve from the X-Factor."

There is no word on who will replace the three on the show which returns next fall.

"Yes, it’s true; I won't be returning to The X Factor next season,” said Abdul in a statement. "I've learned through my longevity in this industry that business decisions often times override personal considerations. Simon and I, along with Fox and Fremantle, have been communicating about this for a while now, and I have absolute understanding of the situation.

"Simon is and will remain a dear friend of mine and I've treasured my experience working this past season with my extended family at Fox and Fremantle. I want nothing more than for The X Factor to exceed ALL of their wildest dreams. This truly has been a blessing and I am most grateful."

Cowell had an official comment moments after Abdul released her statement.

"I want to say a massive thank you to Paula, Nicole and Steve for being part of The X Factor last year," he starts, according to hollywoodreporter.com.'

"We had a lot of fun making the show together and importantly, we found some real talent and stars. You do develop friendships with the people you work with and Paula, in particular, is a very close friend and I expect to be working with her on another project in the near future. I’m sure all three are going to have massive success in what they do next , but now is the time to thank them all for everything they did last year."

No word yet on who will replace the three on the show or if Cowell will add a fourth judge to the mix.





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Rita Sherrow grew up with TV. Yes, it was the ever-present “sister” from another techno mother. At first look, it was instant "Like." From then on, the TV had to be on in every room while she studied, elementary school through college. An Air Force brat, she attended school in three states (Oklahoma, Montana and Georgia) and two foreign countries (Germany and Bermuda) and graduated from Broken Arrow High School and the University of Tulsa with a degree in journalism/advertising. She first interned in the advertising world but, when a J-School professor (who also covered politics for the Tulsa World) offered her an internship at the newspaper, she took him up on it. The rest is history. She has served as bridal editor, senior features writer for the women’s section, food editor and is television editor of the Tulsa World. In addition to writing about TV shows and interviewing the stars for “Scene” stories, she also writes a TV column for Weekend and produces the Sunday TV World listings magazine.

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