Paula Abdul confirms 'X Factor' USA exit: The show has been a blessing
Published Jan 31 2012, 19:56 GMT | By Paul Millar
Paula Abdul has announced that she will not continue her role on The X Factor USA in 2012.The 49-year-old judge released a statement confirming her exit, following recent rumours about her future. Simon Cowell thanked Abdul for her time on the programme, and hinted that the pair may be working together again in the "near future".
The news follows the departures of fellow judge Nicole Scherzinger and host Steve Jones.
© PA Images / Chris Pizzello/AP
She said: "Yes, it's true; I won't be returning to The X Factor next season. I've learned through my longevity in this industry that business decisions often times overrides personal considerations.
"Simon [Cowell] and I, along with Fox and Fremantle, have been communicating about this for a while now, and I have absolute understanding of the situation.
"Simon is, and will remain a dear friend of mine and I've treasured my experience working this past season with my extended family at Fox and Fremantle.
"I want nothing more than for The X Factor to exceed ALL of their wildest dreams. This truly has been a blessing and I am most grateful."
Moments after Abdul's announcement, Scherzinger also confirmed her departure from the Fox talent contest via Twitter. Host Jones announced his exit on Monday night.
© PA Images / Chris Pizzello/AP
© PA Images
Cowell expressed his gratitude to Abdul, Scherzinger and Jones in a statement, saying: "I want to say a massive thank you to Paula, Nicole and Steve for being part of The X Factor last year. We had a lot of fun making the show together and importantly, we found some real talent and stars.
"You do develop friendships with the people you work with and Paula, in particular, is a very close friend and I expect to be working with her on another project in the near future.
"I'm sure all three are going to have massive success in what they do next, but now is the time to thank them all for everything they did last year."
After being renewed in November despite scoring lower ratings than was hoped, Fox's entertainment chief Kevin Reilly said that there would be "some changes" to the format.
Watch Paula Abdul discuss her category during last year's X Factor below:
Michael Gavin James ah yeah they really do its a shame though audiences like personality... oh really? I did hear opinion was actually fairly positive, why'd they take her off? they fear she was wasnt famous enough in the US? oh **** forgot Cat Deely existed! Well if thats the reason for her disappearance then good on her sounds like she's doing well! oh yeah? there does seem to be a lot of british talent flowing about these days actually on screen and in the charts. yeah tbh they needed to go all bells and whistles if they wanted to steal audiences from American Idol
February 21st 2012 at 11:49pm
Tamsyn Roberts: Could be. I think the producers worry too much tbh. They took Cheryl off the show and viewer opinion was very high for her in comparison to Nicole! Cat Deeley is doing well across the pond atm as are many of our British actors who seem to be leading many of the major shows over there! Think X Factor USA were too conservative and cautious which was a pity.
February 20th 2012 at 9:28pm
Michael Gavin James Yeah I was suprised too. Im not a particular fan of him- im not a fan of really any presenters to be honest. But he always seems to have good energy. Sounds bad but it might be because he isnt American? I just think that the States in general is a pretty patriotic country perhaps they can only cope with one english accent and thats Simon Cowel
February 20th 2012 at 6:49pm
For goodness sake, why on earth should Cheryl Cole come back? Am I really one of the few who can actually see she is a talentless nobody who didn't deserve the judging position on the UK X Factor from the very beginning?
Please people, wake up. She can't even sing.
February 5th 2012 at 2:01am
Fiona Franklin Well he is back for Britan's Got Talent so im guessing he will replace Mr.Barlow in X Factor! Ive a feeling Louis and Tulisa are safe so that just leaves Kelly really! To be honest im over the whole X Factor judging crap! Thats why im excited for The Voice!
February 3rd 2012 at 12:31pm