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X Factor Auditions Mar. 27, in LA, is Nicole a better bet than Cheryl? Some thoughts

By April MacIntyre Feb 8, 2011, 3:39 GMT

Cole or Sherzinger? Nicole Scherzinger - © PRN / PR Photos

Today Simon Cowell spoke to journalists on a phoner, and shared some key details that differentiate "X Factor" from that other FOX talent show he doesn't watch anymore.

The X Factor payout will be a staggering $5 million, and there's a chance Nicole Sherzinger may upstage Cheryl Cole, Cowell's pet UK Geordie Girl as a potential judge.  

First up, the important auditions will begin Sunday, March 27, in Los Angeles;
Chicago, Dallas, Miami, New York/New Jersey and Seattle to follow. 

Sign Up Now for Audition Information at www.fox.com/theXfactor

Simon Cowell's new competition will award the show’s winner with a record-breaking $5 million record deal – the largest guaranteed prize in television history – with Syco, a joint venture between Sony Music and Cowell.

Today Cowell was asked if ex Idol judge (and always interesting) Paula Abdul could be a judge for his X Factor, which still has not announced a full judging panel.

“I’m a massive fan of Paula,” he said. “We’ve been in regular contact. I’m not going to say today who we are going to confirm or not, because the truth is we haven’t made up our minds up yet. It comes down to who I think is interesting, and the commitment and the expertise each person offers.”

Which brings me back to the Geordie Girl, the darling Pop star of the UK, Cheryl Cole, who is Persona Non Grata in the US. None of her girl group songs or performances have taken anyone here by storm, and she has virtually no cred outside of a small tight incestuous group of industry people who know of her.  

Nicole Sherzinger is known, and made an impression as Derek Hough's glamorous adept partner on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars." Nicole is a Pussycat Doll on steroids, beloved here and in Europe. Nicole is a All-American Hawaiian cocktail of Filipino-Russian-Hawaiian blood with no messy personal relationship baggage.

Cole, if Americans do recall her name, is the pretty singer in England who was married to a cheating cad footballer.

It will be interesting to see if the Cowell magic can "make" Cole a star here in the US, or if Cole has the Beckham stink. 

David Beckham is a world superstar, but in the US, he barely made an impact as an LA Galaxy player, and his voice was the talk of behind the scenes Industry players who allegedly referred to him sounding a bit like Minnie Mouse on Helium. 

Who do you want to see on the X Factor as a panel of judges?