Cheryl Cole Out at 'X Factor,' Nicole Scherzinger to Judge: Report

Nicole Scherzinger will replace Cheryl Cole as a judge on "The X Factor" show that will debut this fall on Fox, according to a report on the website TMZ.com.
 
Concern about Cole's thick accent allegedly led to her being dropped from the judges panel. A singing star in England but unknown in the U.S., her selection by Simon Cowell was puzzling when it was announced, considering the lack of star power she brought to the show, which went into production three weeks ago.

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In addition, TMZ reported that Cole and fellow judge Paula Abdul had a "lack of chemistry."  The question remains over whether Cole will return to the U.K. version of the show where she was a judge. Scherzinger, formerly a judge on NBC's "The Sing-Off," had been booked as one of the show's hosts.
 
Previous Internet reports suggested that Cowell wanted Cole to dress more provocatively on the show, which reportedly did not sit well with her. Cole's look at the L.A. auditions included a Barbarella-style hairdo, bright purple pants and an orange top.
 
Cole was present for the first round of auditions, held in Los Angeles. The next set of auditions will be held in Dallas.

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