Nicole Scherzinger

Simon Cowell: feckless boss or PR genius? You decide. Word landed early Monday that after weeks of rumors, British pop singer Cheryl Cole was officially out as a judge on "The X Factor," Cowell's new singing contest that premieres on Fox this fall. She will be replaced by Nicole Scherzinger, formerly of the pop group the Pussycat Dolls. "Fox, Fremantle North America and Syco TV today confirm Nicole Scherzinger will be replacing Cheryl Cole on the judging panel of 'The X Factor,'" the companies behind the show wrote in a terse statement Monday morning.

Fox announced Monday that TV everywhere-man Mario Lopez will return as the host of "The X Factor. " But Khloe Kardashian will not. Lopez joined the other Fox singing competition show last season as host, alongside Kardashian. Despite being at ease in front of the cameras when they're connected to the E! network, Kardashian couldn't quite get comfortable in her role as host -- her misgivings were recently chronicled in an episode of "Kourtney & Kim Take Miami. " "Khloe Kardashian will not be returning to co-host 'The X Factor,'" read a statement attributed to "X Factor" producers.

New "X-Factor"judges Britney Spears and Demi Lovato can rest assured that Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul, their predecessors on the judging panel, are wishing them good luck. Abdul appeared on the Wendy Williams show Wednesday and said of the new lineup, "I think it's going to be great. " The former judge added , "I think people are anticipating seeing Britney Spears. She's had a long career and she's overcome a tremendous amount of adversity, and I am always for the underdog coming back.

Will the theme song for the new season of Fox's "The X Factor"be Britney Spears' "Hit Me Baby One More Time?" It might be, judging from what Simon Cowell said about Spears joining the singing competitiion series along with Demi Lovato. "She's quite mean," Cowell said of Spears during a TCA session for the series. He also teased Lovato about her bluntness toward him and the contestants, calling Lovato "a brat. " Still, he praised both singers for bringing what he called youthful energy and honesty to the series.

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Hey, look, Britney Spears can be mean! In a new promo for "The X Factor," the songstress demonstrates that she can channel her inner Simon Cowell. The teaser introduces Spears with a voice-over that asks: "Has America's sweetheart been hanging with Simon Cowell too long?" Cue montage to prove she has! The 30-year-old pop star tells one hopeful: "You can't destroy that song, sweetie. " Other "oh-no-she-didn't" gems include "Bad to the bone," along with the Simon-inspired "Very predictable" and "You definitely don't have the X Factor.

Will the theme song for the new season of Fox's "The X Factor"be Britney Spears' "Hit Me Baby One More Time?" It might be, judging from what Simon Cowell said about Spears joining the singing competitiion series along with Demi Lovato. "She's quite mean," Cowell said of Spears during a TCA session for the series. He also teased Lovato about her bluntness toward him and the contestants, calling Lovato "a brat. " Still, he praised both singers for bringing what he called youthful energy and honesty to the series.

Fox announced Monday that TV everywhere-man Mario Lopez will return as the host of "The X Factor. " But Khloe Kardashian will not. Lopez joined the other Fox singing competition show last season as host, alongside Kardashian. Despite being at ease in front of the cameras when they're connected to the E! network, Kardashian couldn't quite get comfortable in her role as host -- her misgivings were recently chronicled in an episode of "Kourtney & Kim Take Miami. " "Khloe Kardashian will not be returning to co-host 'The X Factor,'" read a statement attributed to "X Factor" producers.

Pop star Cheryl Cole lasted only a few days as a judge on Fox's new talent-spotting program "The X Factor. " But she was dumped from the job so unceremoniously that, in the eyes of many Brits, she might as well have been on "The Apprentice," with snarky "X Factor" impresario Simon Cowell bellowing, "You're fired!" at her before an audience of millions. Cole's public humiliation set Britain's tabloids and society pages abuzz, mostly with sympathy toward her and contempt for Cowell.

Hey, look, Britney Spears can be mean! In a new promo for "The X Factor," the songstress demonstrates that she can channel her inner Simon Cowell. The teaser introduces Spears with a voice-over that asks: "Has America's sweetheart been hanging with Simon Cowell too long?" Cue montage to prove she has! The 30-year-old pop star tells one hopeful: "You can't destroy that song, sweetie. " Other "oh-no-she-didn't" gems include "Bad to the bone," along with the Simon-inspired "Very predictable" and "You definitely don't have the X Factor.

New "X-Factor"judges Britney Spears and Demi Lovato can rest assured that Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul, their predecessors on the judging panel, are wishing them good luck. Abdul appeared on the Wendy Williams show Wednesday and said of the new lineup, "I think it's going to be great. " The former judge added , "I think people are anticipating seeing Britney Spears. She's had a long career and she's overcome a tremendous amount of adversity, and I am always for the underdog coming back.

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Pop star Cheryl Cole lasted only a few days as a judge on Fox's new talent-spotting program "The X Factor. " But she was dumped from the job so unceremoniously that, in the eyes of many Brits, she might as well have been on "The Apprentice," with snarky "X Factor" impresario Simon Cowell bellowing, "You're fired!" at her before an audience of millions. Cole's public humiliation set Britain's tabloids and society pages abuzz, mostly with sympathy toward her and contempt for Cowell.

Simon Cowell: feckless boss or PR genius? You decide. Word landed early Monday that after weeks of rumors, British pop singer Cheryl Cole was officially out as a judge on "The X Factor," Cowell's new singing contest that premieres on Fox this fall. She will be replaced by Nicole Scherzinger, formerly of the pop group the Pussycat Dolls. "Fox, Fremantle North America and Syco TV today confirm Nicole Scherzinger will be replacing Cheryl Cole on the judging panel of 'The X Factor,'" the companies behind the show wrote in a terse statement Monday morning.