Ne-Yo: Scherzinger is genuine

Ne-Yo says his friend Nicole Scherzinger is one of the few "genuine people" in the industry.

The singer helped Nicole in her new role as an X Factor UK judge, giving advice when she made her final decisions on which acts she would take through to the live rounds on the show. Ne-Yo has explained how he came to become such close friends with the star.

"[Nicole is one of my] really good friends, she's one of the few genuine people in the industry," Ne-Yo gushed to British magazine Look. "We toured together four years ago when she was in the Pussycat Dolls. Lady Gaga was our opening act - it seemed like two days later she became the biggest star on the planet."

The R&B star discussed his feelings on the hit reality singing show The X Factor. He wouldn't rule out appearing as a judge on the show one day, although he wants to focus on his music for now.

"I think I have been in this game long enough to have some good advice," Ne-Yo mused. "But I wouldn't want to take any time out of my music to do it."