Nicole Scherzinger certainly isn't going for that all natural look in the newly released promo pics for the X Factor. The "Wet" singer looks like a glamazon! Not to be outdone, former American Idol judge Paula Abdul looks unbelievably good. The 49-year-old continues to age in reverse. Rounding out these shots are co-stars L.A. Reid and Simon Cowell, as well as (absolutely adorable) host Steve Jones. If the allure of watching music hopefuls sing their hearts out for a chance at a five million dollar recording deal (and five million in cold hard cash) isn't enough to attract you, perhaps Fox is hoping these reminders of their attractive cast will get you to tune in. Is it working?

Nicole Scherzinger was a guest and performer on Thursday’s “Lopez Tonight.” The leggy singer laughed while chatting with the talk show host about being denied entry into “bouncyland,” being recognized by a fan during a bikini wax in Paris, and her judging gig on “The X Factor.” Afterward, she performed her single “Right There” off her U.S. debut Killer Love, now due November 15.

We’ve known for quite some time that Nicole Scherzinger has talent, but that didn’t stop her from appearing on Britain’s Got Talent to prove it once more. The bamboo-fondling songbird wore a short white swan-like dress to perform Killer Love single “Right There,” sans 50 Cent. We wonder if being recruited as an X Factor judge has made the retro American in Paris a bit more critical of her own live performances? See it below.

There's been a big last-minute change-up on the X Factor judging panel: Cheryl Cole is out and Nicole Scherzinger's in! Execs made the surprising decision and now there's been a flurry of rumors as to why the former Pussycat Dolls singer was moved from co-host to judge. 

Cheryl Cole (Bauer Griffin)The first rumors about the switch indicated that British pop star was axed because her accent was too thick for American audiences to understand, but apparently that's not really the case. Now we hear it was a chemistry thing.

Nicole Scherzinger invaded British shores with her pop-dance album Killer Love, but she hasn’t forgotten about her fans back home. The former Pussycat Doll is putting the finishing touches on the U.S. edition of her solo debut and has a few surprises in store, including a record with Snoop Dogg and R. Kelly.


The album, which is currently available in the U.K., will feature at least four to five new songs when it arrives stateside later this summer, including the 50 Cent-assisted single “Right There.” “At the time I was doing my U.K. album, I was really into more dance-inspired music, which is amazing and so much fun for Europe,” Nicole told Rap-Up.com. “For the U.S., I wanted to go back to my roots where I started, a little bit more urban sounding ’cause that’s still a very big part of me as well, and I wanted to make sure I wove that into the album.”

One of the new tracks, “Peep Show,” was written and produced by R. Kelly and Harvey Mason Jr. and features Snoop Dogg. “I got a song that R. Kelly wrote, which is amazing. Snoop’s on it,” she revealed. “It’s called ‘Peep Show’ and I love it ’cause it actually reminds me a little bit of the Pussycat Dolls, but it’s Nicole. It’s just a really fun and sassy song—a dope song with a great beat. R. Kelly’s such an unbelievable writer. It’s a really hot track I think.”

She hinted at another special guest, but wouldn’t reveal who it was. “I can’t say yet ’cause it’s kinda a surprise,” she teased, adding that the Sting-assisted ballad “Power’s Out” may also appear on the U.S. release.

Nicole, who recently signed on to co-host Simon Cowell’s “X Factor,” scrapped her original debut Her Name Is Nicole after recording around 70 songs. “I decided not to come out with [Her Name Is Nicole] because I felt like the fans really wanted another Pussycat Dolls album, so I gave them what they wanted and before we knew it we were on tour again.”

But after years of crafting solo material, she couldn’t be happier with the final product. “I’m really proud of this album because I chose a lot of the songs that had to do with me losing myself in a relationship, relationships that I’ve had in the past and the process of getting back that strength, and I feel like a lot of people out there can relate to that. But I still keep it sassy.”

The X Factor is coming to the US -- and soon! Taping starts today in Los Angeles, and there have been some major updates this weekend about the judging panel and hosting duties.

Simon Cowell (Bauer Griffin)First: Nicole Scherzinger and British TV host Steve Jones will co-host the show, reports Us magazine. The former Pussycat Doll singer was rumored to be signed on for the spot weeks ago, but now Simon has confirmed the pair for the gig. 

"These two are going to be great together," Cowell said. "I have always wanted Steve to work with us; I think he is a real star. Nicole is fantastic. I loved working with her on the U.K. X Factorlast year. She is gorgeous and super-talented."

As for the judges panel: Music exec LA Reid has already signed on, as has Cheryl Cole to sit alongside Cowell, and TMZ reports Paula Abdul is the latest addition. She reportedly signed the closing papers last night and will join everyone for the taping in LA today!

Nicole Scherzinger is determined to win. After attempting to launch her solo career in 2007, the lead Pussycat Doll gives it another go with the Jim Jonsin-produced “Right There,” the first U.S. single from her debut Killer Love. Filmed in the “concrete urban paradise” of downtown Los Angeles, the smokin’ hot babe steams up the screen with 50 Cent in the Paul Hunter-directed video.

“50 has been a friend of mine. He did his thing on the song. I thought I was cool until 50 showed up and he was a little cooler,” Nicole told MTV’s “The Seven.” “He brought the energy and the spirit. He’s 50 for a reason. He’s the real deal.”

Feast your eyes on the alluring visuals below.

50 Cent got hands on with Nicole Scherzinger on set of the video for “Right There,” the lead single from her U.S. debut Killer Love. Directed by Paul Hunter, the clip sees the labelmates getting down to the upbeat tune in the “concrete urban paradise” of downtown Los Angeles, with the former Pussycat Doll sharing her love for her co-star in between takes.

“50 has been a friend of mine. He did his thing on the song. I thought I was cool until 50 showed up and he was a little cooler,” laughed Nicole. “He brought the energy and the spirit. He’s 50 for a reason. He’s the real deal. So just being around him ups the game and it was a lot of fun.”

Sneak a peek at the behind-the-scenes action courtesy of MTV’s “The Seven.”

Nicole Scherzinger hits the road in the Rich Lee-directed video for “Don’t Hold Your Breath,” the latest single from her oft-delayed solo debut. The lead Pussycat Doll doesn’t look back as she changes clothes in a taxi, later facing a moment of truth as she gazes into a mirror and catwalks through her apartment. See if the sexy siren takes your breath away below.

With the wheels on Nicole Scherzinger's solo career finally rolling, she hopes that her fellow Pussycat Doll sisters get their chance to shine as well.

"I hope the girls aren't jealous of me," Nicole tells UK Magazine Recognize. "Because I'm only positive."

She went on to add: "I wish them the best success and happiness. The only place I'm ever extreme or dangerous is on stage."-

Nicole Scherzinger has moved on from her days in the girl group the Pussycat Dolls, but she insists a major blowout between the gals – Nicole, Ashley Roberts, Kimberly Wyatt, Jessica Sutta and Melody Thornton – wasn't the reason they went their separate ways. The bicker was "inevitable," she says, but ultimately they just wanted to do their own things.

The Pussycat Dolls in 2006 (Getty)She said: ”It’s inevitable that any girl group who are breathing the same airspace 24/7 are going to bicker. But I think we handled it well and were respectful towards each other.”

Nicole – the last member to depart the group - admits she has no idea why so many of the girls left the band but says she respects their choices and is glad they took the opportunity to “find” themselves.

She said: “Girl power is about finding yourself as a woman. Obviously a lot of them then wanted to branch off and do their own thing and that’s wonderful.”

Although the Pussycat Dolls originally started off as a lap dancing group in Los Angeles, Nicole thinks her talent and that of her bandmates helped fans to forget their roots. She said: “The group had existed before as a dance group. Then they hired myself and Melody to come and record. I was really proud of my part in making the music. We wouldn’t have been able to sell tens of millions of albums if we didn’t have talent. We stood for fun girl power.”