Nicole Scherzinger: Is she leaving the UK 'X Factor'?
Nicole Scherzinger: Will she leave her job as a judge for the UK version of 'The X Factor'? Nicole Scherzinger has served as a judge on the show since 2012.
Nicole Scherzinger attends London auditions for 'The X Factor' in 2013.
Joel Ryan/Invision/AP
Is Nicole Scherzinger leaving the UK version of “The X Factor”?
The UK iteration of “Factor” first aired in 2004 and Scherzinger, the lead singer of The Pussycat Dolls, came aboard as a judge in 2012. But now Scherzinger wants to concentrate more on her music, according to the Press Association.
“Factor” creator Simon Cowell, who served as a judge on the recently canceled US version of the show, recently announced that he’ll be returning to the UK panel for this year’s new season. He had served as a judge on the show from its first season in 2004 to 2010 but then departed to become a judge on the US version, which debuted in 2011.
Singer Cheryl Cole served as a judge on “Factor” from 2008 to 2010 and Cowell recently told BANG Showbiz that she could come back for the upcoming season.
“To be fair to Cheryl, it hasn't been about the money with her,” he said. “It's about whether she wants to do it and whether she can handle the pressure, so I'm not quite sure yet… She had her poker face on.”
“Factor” judge Gary Barlow, who came on the show in 2011 following Cowell’s departure, will not be returning, according to the Press Association. The rest of the judging panel for the 2013 season consisted of manager Louis Walsh and reality star Sharon Osbourne. It is unknown whether Walsh will return.
Fox recently announced that the American version of “Factor” was being canceled after three seasons and many judge shake-ups.
Scherzinger was also a member of the group Eden’s Crush; her group the Pussycat Dolls broke up in 2009. Scherzinger released a solo album, “Killer Love,” in 2011.