Madonna talent-show judge

The Queen of Pop is following in the footsteps of Simon Cowell in a new US star-search programme to be fronted by hip-hop singer Missy Elliott.

Madonna pleased producers after destroying hopefuls during a screen test with some of the most biting criticism ever seen on a talent show.

A source close to Madonna said: "She doesn't suffer fools gladly. She will have no patience with the have-a-go heroes trying to make a name for themselves.

"If someone walks into the room the wrong way she'll say 'no' before a note is sung and that will be their chance gone. She will reduce people to tears because she is so direct.

"Her comments really find their targets, they don't go flying past and hit the wall. There is no pantomime about her performance. Only real hopefuls will get through to be judged by her. She is brilliant at separating talent from over-confidence and the best thing is that nobody can argue with her verdict."

Madonna filmed her screen test for the show in a London studio a month ago after she finished her Re-Invention tour.

She was given tapes of hopefuls and the producers recorded her reaction.

Missy Elliott personally asked Madonna to collaborate on the show after they got to know each other while making a series of Gap adverts together.

The new talent show, which has a working title of The Road To Stardom With Missy Elliott, has been pencilled in for launch on American television early next year.
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