After months of speculations from the media and denial from the X-Factor camp, this announcement comes off anticlimactic and have people going, "yup, we know. Next?"
Fox Press release:
British pop superstar Cheryl Cole will join Antonio “L.A.” Reid and Simon Cowell as a judge on THE X FACTOR, the highly anticipated singing competition series debuting this fall on FOX. Cole, who has sat alongside Cowell as a judge on the U.K. version of “The X Factor” for three years, is a multi-platinum-selling solo artist and a member of Girls Aloud, one of the U.K.’s most successful female vocal groups of all time. Cole will join Cowell, Reid and an additional judge (to be announced) as they travel to THE X FACTOR audition cities searching for the next global superstar or breakout music group.
“I’m thrilled for Cheryl. She is massively excited about this show, and has been fantastic to work with,” said Cowell. “She is also a complete brat! Most importantly, this girl can spot talent.”
“I’m so excited to be taking part in the American version of THE X FACTOR. I absolutely love it here in the U.K., and with the talent they have out in America, I’m sure we’re going to find someone very special. I can’t wait to get started,” said Cole. “I just can’t decide whether I am more excited to find and nurture the talent or for the unbelievable amount of amusement and entertainment I will have watching Simon doing everything and anything he can to beat me. He’s tried to beat me for three years in the U.K., and hasn’t even come close. His ego must be so bruised. America is gonna love this.”
“Cheryl Cole has the whole THE X FACTOR package: She’s an incredibly talented artist and performer, as well as a style icon, and she has that special charisma that draws in fans around the world,” said Mike Darnell, President of Alternative Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. “Cheryl’s charm and chemistry with Simon have been a key part of the overwhelming success of ‘The X Factor’ in the U.K., and we can’t wait to welcome her to the U.S. on our air.”
“As a young artist whose talent show discovery led to almost immediate stardom, Cheryl’s career exemplifies the promise of THE X FACTOR,” said executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz. “Her empathy and passion for identifying and nurturing undiscovered talent has made her a huge hit with British audiences, and I have no doubt America will fall in love with her beauty, her accent and her incredible chemistry with Simon Cowell.”
Auditions continue in Dallas, TX, on Thursday, May 26. Now through this Sunday, May 8, hopefuls may also audition in specially built high-definition recording studios in Honolulu, HI; Phoenix, AZ; Nashville, TN; Anchorage, AK; Kansas City, KS; and Denver, CO.
About Cheryl Cole
There aren’t many who have successfully made the transition from girl group to solo star. But one woman who has, and made it seem utterly effortless, is Cheryl Cole. Cole’s first solo single, “Fight For This Love,” was the fastest-selling single of 2009, and both of her solo albums charted at No. 1. The first, “3 Words,” has been certified triple platinum. Three further top five singles followed, along with two BRITs nominations and winning the coveted Best Music Act at the ELLE Style Awards 2011. In making these albums, Cole collaborated with an impressive number of music’s A-list, including Dizzee Rascal, Travie McCoy, Taio Cruz and most notably will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas. As well as effortlessly charming her collaborators, Cole has garnered many a famous fan too. Adele, the voice of 2011, chose to cover “Promise This,” the No. 1 lead-in single from Cole’s second album, “Messy Little Raindrops,” in the Live Lounge on Radio 1.
Another very big fan is Simon Cowell, who personally handpicked her as a judge for “The X Factor” in the U.K. in 2008. Cole became an instant hit with viewers and went on to win the show in both 2008 with Alexandra Burke and 2009 with Joe McElderry. The last season of “The X Factor” was the most talked-about show in Britain, regularly attracting audiences of 15 million. The finale peaked at 21 million viewers and saw Cole with two of her contestants in the finale. Cole has also become a leading style icon. She has graced the cover of British Vogue twice, the first time becoming the highest-ever-selling February issue in the title’s history. She has also appeared on the covers of Harper’s Bazaar and ELLE. Cole is also a L’Oreal spokesmodel fronting the L’Oreal Elvive Full Restore 5 hair care range.
Despite massive success as a singer, style icon and TV star, Cole is keen to give back. In February 2009, she joined an expedition to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in order to raise money for Comic Relief. In February 2011, Cole announced the launch of her own charitable foundation with The Prince’s Trust. The Cheryl Cole Foundation will provide funding to work with disadvantaged young people from Cole’s hometown of Newcastle upon Tyne and surrounding areas of northeast England.
Cole did her growing up in Girls Aloud, the U.K.’s most successful girl band. Formed on TV show “Popstars: The Rivals” in 2002, they went on to record five albums and sell over 10 million records. Girls Aloud topped the singles chart four times, had 20 top 10 singles and won the BRIT Award for Best Single in 2009 with “The Promise.” Girls Aloud won critical acclaim and fans from every corner. Their third album, “Chemistry,” got five-star reviews, and the single “Love Machine” was covered by the Arctic Monkeys. Coldplay’s Chris Martin personally requested that Girls Aloud were on the lineup alongside Jay-Z for the Wembley Stadium shows in 2009. For more information on Cole, please visit www.cherylcole.com.
