The X Factor: battle of the divas
Mariah Carey, Nicole Scherzinger and Mel B fight it out for a place on the show’s judging panel
They’re three of the biggest divas in showbiz, and are used to getting exactly what they want. But heat is hearing that Nicole Scherzinger, Mariah Carey and Mel B are having to battle it out for a place on the X Factor panel. Nicole, 38, came out fighting last week, after it was revealed that Mariah, 47, could be joining the show in place of her. One hastily organised secret meeting with Simon Cowell later, and Scherzy put herself back in the running.
“It’s shaping up to be a real diva bloodbath this year, and Simon couldn’t be happier about it,” an insider tells heat. “Nicole is doing everything she can to come back. Simon knows she’s good value as a judge, and is very fond of her, but he wants to shake things up and take her out of her comfort zone, like he did with Dannii Minogue when he brought in Cheryl. Nicole’s worried that she could get pushed to the back of the panel – or worse, get kicked off it completely. Simon’s still undecided about what the final line-up will be, but he thinks it’ll make for some very fiery TV.” The former Pussycat Doll helped create One Direction, and took both James Arthur and last year’s winner Matt Terry to victory. But a diary clash with a film role put her place in jeopardy. “Nicole might be getting a big movie like Wicked,” Louis Walsh revealed earlier this month. “If Nicole doesn’t come back, Mel B would be a good idea for the panel.”
It’s thought that Louis will return, alongside Simon, but Sharon Osbourne’s future is
‘Simon is still undecided, but he wants to shake things up’
unsure – she has a back problem and there are also potential clashes with her US TV show
The Talk – so there could be two female places up for grabs.
Mel B, 41, who was last on the panel in 2014, is desperate to bag a spot. She’s currently filming
America’s Got Talent with Simon, who’s said to have been a huge support to her during her bitter split from Stephen Belafonte.
The source explains, “Despite everything Mel has been through, she’s lost none of her work ethic, and she desperately wants to do another series of The X Factor.
It would also mean that she has a valid reason to leave LA, and get away from Stephen for a bit.”
But don’t underestimate Mariah – she’d love to get in on the act for the money. “The only way Mariah can fund her lavish lifestyle is by bringing in more cash, which is where The X Factor comes in,” explains an insider. “She doesn’t really understand what the show is about, or how much work it will involve, but she is excited about the paycheck.” We’re told that Simon likes the idea of Mariah, because he “relishes” the potential drama she could cause. Lest we forget the feud she had with Nicki Minaj on American Idol, back in 2013.
“Simon knows that she’ll bring a hugely dramatic element to the judging table,” says another source. “Mariah has such a low opinion of other singers, unless they’re superstars – look at what she says about J-LO. She doesn’t even know who Nicole is!”
An X Factor spokesperson says, “No formal decision has yet been made regarding the full judging panel for The X Factor 2017.”