Simon Cowell recently admitted that he may step away from the trend of hiring mega famous judges for his new X Factor panels.

The music mogul recently dropped Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger from his American lineup and rumours suggest that he is planning to axe Kelly Rowland from his UK show in much the same manner.

The TV boss is said to be on the hunt for replacement females and names reported to be in the frame have included Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Madonna, Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj.

However, in a recent interview while Simon admitted that he would love to have any of the above stars on his shows, he also said that he believed the format could work without majorly famous judges and at least in that way, it would bring the focus back to the contestants, rather than the panel.

We aren’t completely sure that he meant what he said, but our writer Gerard McGarry has put together a great article over on our American blog on why Simon should steer away from famous faces and how he could benefit from bringing in lesser known experts instead.

Gerard makes the point that the Idol franchise didn’t start out with superstars on the panel. Let’s face it, Cowell was not a public figure before his talent show days, neither was Louis Walsh before Pop Idol, yet the show was a huge success. American Idol took The States by storm, yet Cowell was an unknown, Randy Jackson a barely famous bassist and Paula Abdul a has been, who once performed with an animated cat.

Did you know who Len Goodman or Bruno Tonioli were before Strictly? No? We didn’t either, but still the show has become the most successful and copied TV format worldwide. Can you see where we’re going with this?

Also, it must be considered that these days, very often, the celebrity judges totally overshadow their own acts. Newspapers are more interested in what Jennifer Lopez, Kelly Rowland, Cheryl Cole and Simon Cowell are doing than they ever are in the contestants of the show, and often the focus of the series is on the spats between the stars and what the celebrities are wearing, rather than on the vocal performances or the talent of the hopefuls.

Gerard also thinks it can be a bad idea for real music stars to become attached to reality TV shows, because in the end it often harms their integrity. The performers may enjoy a boost to their fame and fortune thanks to the increased exposure, but when they are forced to lie repeatedly (remember when Gary Barlow admitted that he lied for Frankie Cocozza?) people start to see through the act and start to doubt their honesty and their credibility.

We think what Simon Cowell needs to realise is that we don’t need celebrities to judge, we just need good judges. You can read Gerard’s full article here and if you’re at all interested in the subject you really should, he makes some excellent points.

For now though, we want to know, do you think Cowell, ITV and Fox need to concentrate on finding big named stars to join The X Factor, or should they be bringing it back to basics and making the series’ about finding a real life, talented performer?

Leave your comments, musings and ramblings on the issue below.

View the original post X Factor 2012: Why Simon Cowell doesn’t need Madonna, Katy Perry, Cheryl Cole or other A-List judges on Unreality TV

Simon Cowell has admitted that both Katy Perry and Madonna would be on the list of his dream judges for his American X Factor series.

The music mogul fired Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger from the judging panel of the show last week and is currently on the lookout for two stars who can replace the female singers.

Many names have been in the frame for the role and speaking to his ex-girlfriend Terri Seymour on Extra yesterday, Cowell addressed a few of the rumours.

He insisted that Mariah Carey will not be joining the show, not because he doesn’t want her, but because with her baby twins, she has too many family commitments, to want to be travelling the country and working long hours, as they audition for and then film the hit Fox series.

Simon said:

“I don’t think Mariah would make that commitment. I really, really don’t. She’s just had kids, you have to work five days a week on this show and do all the travelling as well, so she won’t be on the list.”

However, even though she recently insisted that she wouldn’t join the judging lineup, Cowell confessed that he would love to land singer, actress and queen of pop Madonna, adding:

“Yes I think she would be great, in terms of experience and success.”

The TV boss already had Katy Perry work on the UK X Factor as a guest judge and at the time, spoke about how impressed he was by her wit, her knowledge and her sassy nature. Asked if he would consider asking her to step into Paula or Nicole’s shoes, Cowell continued:

“I worked with Katy once, I think she would be fun. I think she is hard, in a good way and she’s feisty.”

Simon also quashed rumours that Elton John is on his list, saying he would be too difficult to work with and added that he doesn’t necessarily need to have an a list star on the panel, for the show to be a success.

He insisted:

‘It’s all about the contestants.’

Our question…Then why does it never work out that way?

View the original post Simon Cowell wants Katy Perry and Madonna but not Mariah Carey for X Factor USA on Unreality TV

We revealed last night that Paula Abdul and Nicola Scherzinger have been axed from the X Factor USA and already, people are talking about replacements.

The series won’t return to TV screens until September and filming starts around May, when the new panel will begin auditioning singing hopefuls, however it is said that Simon Cowell is already in talks with a number of stars to replace his female judges and some that will may over from Steve Jones as presenter.

The Sun reports that one of the front runners for a judging role is US singing superstar Mariah Carey. The ‘Hero’ hitmaker was heavily tipped to join the panel last year, and revealed that she had been in talks with Cowell and Fox bosses, but she was heavily pregnant and opted instead just to help Simon at judges houses.

However, Carey’s husband Nick Cannon spoke out last week and said that his wife will definitely not be joining a talent show, because she is too big a star.

Speaking on his radio show he said:

“Why would would my wife want to be on a show like that? For somebody who has a legendary career, I don’t know why they would do that.”

He also criticised American Idol judge Steve Tyler for joining the show last year.

The Sun went on to claim that Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj are also in Cowell’s sights, along with former X Factor UK judge Kelly Rowland.

It is claimed that Kelly told the music mogul she would not return to the British series, as she hated being away from home for such a long period of time, so he may now be considering moving her to the US version.

Katy Perry previously guest judged on the UK show, standing in when Dannii Minogue was on maternity leave in 2010.

Last year Simon confessed that he had been in talks with Minaj about a ‘number of projects’ and speaking to XXLMag.com, he added:

“She’s very smart, very influential, very bright and along with artists like Jessie J. You can’t ignore them and sooner or later they have to be in our world and we have to be in their world.”

So what do you think of Paula and Nicole’s possible replacements and who else do you think would fit the role?

As always, leave your comments below.

View the original post Mariah Carey, Katy Perry, Kelly Rowland or Nicki Minaj to replace Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger on X Factor USA on Unreality TV

Katy Perry has revealed that Simon Cowell asked her to stand in for Kelly Rowland on Saturday night’s X Factor show.

The ‘Teenage Dream’ hitmaker performed on the ITV show just a few weeks ago and guest judged on last year’ series, so she was the obvious choice when Kelly called took sick and was forced to miss the weekend’s live episode.

However, she revealed that she turned down the chance to sit on the panel alongside Gary Barlow, Tulisa Contostavlos and Louis Walsh, because she felt she was too ‘out of the lopp’ and hadn’t been watching the show closely enough, to be able to offer honest critiques.

Katy was in the UK and preparing for a concert in Aberdeen, when she was approached about flying down to London for the weekend.

She told Real Radio: “I would have loved to but I just didn’t have time.

“I might have felt out of the loop as it’s not at the beginning. I wouldn’t want to be an unfair critic by not knowing the artists’ history. Who actually ended up doing it?”

Of course, Kelly’s spot was filled by former show winner Alexandra Burke in the end, though it is claimed that Nicole Scherzinger was lined up to take the seat but was told at the last minute that she couldn’t by show boss Simon Cowell.

Would you have preferred to see Katy over Alex? Leave your comments below.

Also, check out the details of this week’s X Factor theme and possible song choices here.

View the original post X Factor: Katy Perry turned down the chance to replace Kelly Rowland on Unreality TV

Katy Perry has admitted that she would consider judging on The X factor, if she could find a clear spot in her schedule.

The ‘Firework’ hitmaker performed her new single ‘The One That Got Away’ on the ITV show tonight – and was by the way the only act on the show that did actually sing live this evening – and was asked afterwards on The Xtra Factor if she would ever join the judging panel.

The singer, who is currently in the middle of her world tour, replied:

I would, yeah maybe if I wasn’t busy all over with touring and concerts.

Of show boss Simon Cowell she added:

I love Simon, he’s a twit.

Perry also admitted that she got very nervous before her stripped back performance this evening.

“I get more nervous for television than anything because there is always extra pressure they out on you. It’s very important. When I’m on tour it’s kind of my own show and I can be a bit more spontaneous, I’m like a bit of the boss. But I have to be accountable to people here,” she confessed.

Katy’s performance tonight was very stripped back and basic and featured just her, a few band members and her acoustic guitar. On why she decided to go so low key, she explained:

I wanted to show the other side. There are lots of little personalities in me – as every woman has – so I wanted to play on kind of where I came from, which is me and my guitar. I used to play in cafes and open mics and so I decided to do that on The X Factor and show that there is that side to me.

Watch Katy Perry’s X Factor performance here.

View the original post Katy Perry would consider judging on The X Factor on Unreality TV

Katy Perry made her big X Factor comeback tonight!

The American songstress was a big part of last year’s series of the ITV show, standing in as a guest judge when Cheryl Cole was ill and performing her hit single Firework on the live shows.

Tonight she returned, this time to give a live rendition of her latest single “The One That Got Away”, taken from her third studio album, Teenage Dream.

Katy emerged on stage tonight, playing the guitar, which we totally didn’t know she could do. It was a very stripped back performance, in which Katy was joined onstage not by backing dancers, but by just two guitarists, a double bass player and a backing vocalist.

We also think she was singing live, which would make her the first to do so this evening, as both the final 12 contestants and The Wanted mimed their way through their earlier performances on the show.

The whole song had a bit of a country vibe about it and we just love how Perry can constantly reinvent herself and move from a shocking up beat track, to a fun party number, to an emotional and heartfelt ballad.

We think this has to be our favourite song that she’s released all year…it’s definitely one for the iPod!

Perry will also perform the song on November 20, 2011 at the American Music Awards.

How do you think Katy did tonight? Did you enjoy the performance? Leave your comments below.

View the original post X Factor 2011: Katy Perry performs “The One That Got Away” LIVE (VIDEO) on Unreality TV

Dermot O’Leary announced yesterday that X Factor viewers are in for a treat next Sunday night.

After two pretty decent performances from Matt Cardle and Cee Lo Green on last night’s live episode – with a twist! – the hunky presenter revealed that next weekend we will be treated to live performances by Katy Perry and The Wanted.

It is rumoured that the ‘I Kissed A Girl’ hitmaker will perform her most recent single “The One That Got Away”, taken from her third studio album, Teenage Dream.

The Wanted will be debuting their new single “Lightning”, which is taken from their upcoming second studio album, Battleground and will be released on Sunday 16th October.

Katy of course is no stranger to the X Factor and last year, filled in for Cheryl Cole as she acted as a guest judge in Dublin. In fact she was one of the team responsible for finding the massively talented Mary Byrne.

She also performed her hit single ‘Firework’ on last year’s series, though was later slated for the poor quality of her live vocal performance.

Are you looking forward to seeing Katy and The Wanted this week? Leave your comments below.

We have started a poll, to see if you Unreality TV readers can once again, correctly predict this weekend’s X Factor result. Cast your vote here!

View the original post The Wanted and Katy Perry to perform on second X Factor 2011 results show on Unreality TV

Russell Brand is such a big X Factor fan, that he has reportedly begged his wife Katy Perry to make a return to the show.

The British comedian has been married to the ‘Firework’ hitmaker for just over a year and insiders say that he is keen for her to make an appearance on the new series and take him along with her for a visit.

Insiders say that she’s happy to go along with his plan and is already performing a huge stage performance for one of the upcoming live results shows.

An insider told The Mirror:

“Katy knows Russell is a big fan of the programme so she really wants to get back on it.

“She’s determined to go all out with another show-stopping performance just like last year – and Russell doesn’t want to miss out either.

“He’s determined to be there on the night to support Katy in person.”

Perry wowed the X factor crowd with a performance of ‘Firework’ last year and though her tuning left a little to be desired, we particularly loved her skin-tight, sparkly outfit. Watch the video here.

View the original post Russell Brand wants Katy Perry to perform on live X Factor show on Unreality TV

Will.i.am certainly hasn’#t lost faith in Cheryl Cole.

The Black Eyed Pea star became the former Girls Aloud singer’s manager earlier this year, when it looked like she was going to judge on the new American X Factor series. However, when she lost that job, he didn’t abandon her but rather focused her on recording her third solo album and taking to Twitter recently, he assured fans that Chez will be back bigger than ever!

After tweeting a picture of the two of them living it up in Cannes, France, Will then told his followers:

“Cheryl will soon be back and bigger than ever.”

Speaking about what he has planned for her music career, he added:

“Over the next few months she’s potentially going to be working with Rihanna, Katy Perry, Usher and, of course, the Peas.”

It was recently reported that Cheryl was also spotted dining with The Voice judge Christina Aguilera, close to her recording studios, which prompted rumours that they may be working on a collaboration also.

Do you think Cheryl can make a comeback after her X Factor humiliation? Leave your comments below.

View the original post Will.i.am says Cheryl Cole will work with Rihanna, Katy Perry, Usher and The Black Eyed Peas on Unreality TV

Cheryl Cole is reportedly planning to collaborate with Rihanna, Nicki Minaj and Katy Perry on her new album.

The X Factor judge is said to be planning to launch her music career stateside later this year, hopefully coinciding with the start of the US X Factor series, which she is rumoured to be joining.

Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am is a close friend of the divorced singer and is said to be working hard, trying to secure collaborations with some of the biggest names in the music industry for her third solo album.

“Cheryl’s management want her to become the next big popstar in America and are working on securing some A-list names for the album,” an insider told M is for Music.

“A Rihanna duet is a certainty and Will.I.Am is trying to convince Minaj to work on the LP too. Katy Perry has also been in talks with Cheryl about a duet, as she is a big fan.”

Cheryl has previously claimed that Rihanna is keen to sing with her and that the pair have been planning a duet for a while.

View the original post X Factor’s Cheryl Cole plans collaborations with Rihanna, Nicki Minaj and Katy Perry on Unreality TV