Paula Abdul fired from ‘The X Factor’ because she was too ‘soft’
January 31, 2012 8:14PM
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Updated: March 2, 2012 8:17AM
W hile the firing of “The X Factor” host Steve Jones and judge Nicole Scherzinger was long expected, Hollywood was stunned by the news that Paula Abdul also was axed in a major shakeup of the music competition show — being called a “bloodbath” by show insiders.
Speaking of being stunned? That included Abdul, who is said to be furious about her ouster — despite issuing a statement Tuesday saying she understood “how business decisions oftentimes override personal considerations.”
Those “business decisions” included a careful analysis of the first season of “The X Factor” by show producers and the Fox network — whose research indicated Abdul was thought too “soft” to compete with the other judges and the audience “just did not connect with Nicole,” said a major Fox source. Though both show creator The parting was “anything but amicable and there were a lot of angry words,” said a key show staff member. “I know Simon and Paula say they’re still friends, and Simon’s claiming he and Paula will again work together, but there will have to be some time for that [rift] to heal after what went down the past few days.”
† Realizing how Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler have added superstar power to his old “American Idol” show, Cowell reportedly is courting major music stars such as Beyonce and Mariah Carey as potential judges for the sophomore season of “The X Factor.” Now being treated for exhaustion and possibly eating disorders and other health problems, Moore was said to have been with her daughter while inhaling nitrous oxide — known as the quick-high “Whip It” drug by kids on the club scene. Willis has been dodging the press and continuing to avoid any and all questions about her mom, except to offer very vague “she’s doing better” comments when cornered.
The mayor chatted with “Chasing Ice” director Jeff Orlowski, noted National Geographic photographer and the film’s star James Balog, and producer Paula DuPre Pesmen — whose “The Cove” won the 2010 Oscar for best feature documentary. Pesmen, married to Chicago native and author Curtis Pesmen, also worked here on “Home Alone 2” with director Chris Columbus.
