Kelly Rowland 'feels stitched up' after X Factor exit?
Published May 2 2012, 07:05 BST | By Zeba Blay
Kelly Rowland has reportedly told friends that she feels "stitched up" after executives for The X Factor said that they did not want to bring her back as a judge this year.X Factor insiders claim that despite the singer's announcement that she was quitting the show, they were keen on signing former judge Dannii Minogue for the next series.
© Ken McKay/TalkbackThames/Rex Features
© Rex Features / Ken McKay/TalkbackThames
> Kelly Rowland exits 'The X Factor': Who should replace her? Poll
Previous reports suggested that producers withdrew their offer for Rowland to return after the star allegedly demanded £1.5 million to return to the programme.
Sources close to Rowland told The Mirror that the singer maintains it was her decision "not to sign" a contract to return as judge on the ITV1 reality singing competition.
"She has emails going back months showing discussions, so it is stupid of them to say they didn't want her or she was being greedy," one insider claimed. "Simon Cowell has gone on record saying he wanted Kelly back.
© Rex Features
> Simon Cowell: 'All four X Factor judges should come back'
"She loved doing the show so feels a bit let down. She feels stitched up now and it just looks like they are panicking because they don't have a judge."
Rowland described her time as an X Factor judge as "an incredible experience I'll never forget".
Some close to the former Destiny's Child star say she is gearing up to pursue more projects in the US, including a foray into film and a new studio album.
The search is still on for a fourth judge to join Gary Barlow, Tulisa Contostavlos and Louis Walsh.
Executives currently have a deadline of May 23 to find a replacement, when the first auditions in front of judges are scheduled to take place in Liverpool.
Watch Dermot O'Leary talking to Digital Spy about Kelly Rowland below:
I think that they should bring in a member of the public each week to be a judge! 1) they'd be impartial 2) they wouldn't play games like all the other judges and 3) they could say whatever they wanted! If someone was rubbish they could say oh you were crap because they wouldn't have to worry about being fired! It would be hilarious!
May 5th 2012 at 10:14pm
Really, I have never met an American who used or even knew of the phrase "stitched up", mind you there are millions of them on the planet and I have only met a handful so...
May 4th 2012 at 1:04am
Dan Johnston Personally as I have mentioned numerous times I think that Dannii's name is being used to court publicity. If she does come back, I think it's taking the show back rather than moving it forward, which I am bound to get slated by the Pro Minogue supporters on here. All of these Dannii rumours have come about because the press have taken certain extracts from that ridiculous unauthorised autobiography and have put 20 on 10 (which been's blowing things out of proportion) and have come up with a story that she is coming back.So I can understand why Kelly feels stitched up. One minute your being gushed about and then the next they want to get rid of you. I think that this could all be a publicity stunt, how can they get a high profile celebrity to sign up within 3 weeks?? Look at this logically, they need to clear a chunk of their diary to travel and commit to live shows. It's gonna end up being someone like Jamilia or some other random person.
May 3rd 2012 at 9:39am
Dean Langley Well, I'm gonna stick up for Kelly, cuz I do love her, haha! Obsessed with the woman!
All the names they've thrown out the bag, past and present I've not had a problem with - except Cheryl & Estelle.
I found it sweet that Louis even mentioned Anastacia - and I love her! She had a brief stint on the Italian X Factor; to some that's like "so what?" but it's still X Factor.
I was a bit niffy when they mentioned Mel B... Meh, I like her, but.......
I wouldn't mind seeing Natalie Imbruglia again! Seeing as she's not on the Aus one anymore... Even Ronan Keating considered, but obv. it's gotta be a girl.
If I had my way; it should go back to the three - Simon, Sharon & Louis - with 3 groups - and 5 acts each. Simple. But it wont
May 3rd 2012 at 1:40am
Dean Langley Estelle just recently released a critically acclaimed album in America and is adored over there but I don't think she should accept the job if offered after the reception Kelly, Misha and Alexandra got.
May 3rd 2012 at 12:56am