Nicole Scherzinger's Got The X Factor?

Nicole Scherzinger belted out a verse of Whitney Houston's version of "I Will Always Love You" when fellow judge Simon Cowell compared a wack contestant to the former Pussycat Doll. Sassy Scherzinger hit back with a must-see response. Check it out above!

The X Factor - World Premiere Preview!

Check out the new preview/trailer promoting the world premiere of the US version of The X Factor coming to FOX this September. This looks great! "What else did you expect?" Ha!

Simon Cowell Talks About Bringing the X Factor to the US

He makes this sound too exciting. Can't wait for the X Factor to premiere this Fall!

Simon Cowell Banning Songs from The X Factor

Simon Cowell has reportedly drawn up a list of over-used songs that X Factor contestants are banned from singing.

The judge is worried that viewers will grow bored of hearing the same songs, according to the News of the World. It is also reported that Cowell is becoming irritated by his favourite songs being "murdered" by hopefuls.

Banned songs include Kings of Leon's 'Sex on Fire' and two tracks by Paolo Nutini. The move is part of a series of on-going changes for the show, after previous clamp downs on sob stories and the recommendation that hopefuls should get dancing lessons.

A source said: "This is about people's real honesty and personality. It's about them and their stage presence."

The list of Simon's banned songs includes:

Kings Of Leon - "Sex On Fire"
Jason Mraz - "I'm Yours"
Paolo Nutini - "Last Request"
Paolo Nutini - "New Shoes"
Eva Cassidy - "Songbird"
Snow Patrol - "Chasing Cars"

The American Idols- "Together We Are One" - A Tribute to Simon Cowell

The American Idol Winners: Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks and Kris Allen were joined by other alumni including David Archuleta, Bo Bice, Michael Johns, Kimberly Caldwell, Constantine Maroulis, Carly Smithson, Elliott Yamin, Kristy Lee Cook, Brooke White, Justin Guarini, Matt Giraud, Allison Iraheta, Diana DeGarmo, Jason Castro, Melinda Doolittle, Chris Richardson, Anoop Desai, Vonzell Solomon, Blake Lewis, this season's Top 12 and many others got together to perform "Together We Are One" - a tribue for Simon Cowell who is now gone from American Idol. Missing from this performance sadly were David Cook, Kellie Pickler, Jennifer Hudson and Chris Daughtry.

American Idol Finale Promises Teary Goodbye

Whether Crystal Bowersox or Lee DeWyze wins American Idol on Wednesday night, one thing's for sure: The tears will be flowing. It is, after all, judge Simon Cowell's last day on the job, and many of his favorite Idol alumni are en route to L.A. to wish him a fond farewell. Among them: Taylor Hicks, who will be joining Elliott Yamin for a duet (per Elliott's tweet, earlier Monday). Season 4 finalists and former roommates Constantine Maroulis and Bo Bice are both in town, and, as previously announced, Carrie Underwood will perform. Non-Idol acts rumored to be taking the stage include Hall & Oates and Janet Jackson. And could a Melissa Etheridge duet be back on the table? We hear whispers but have not been able to confirm. How about Paula Abdul? There's lots of chatter on that.

Here's what we do know: Season 8 winner Kris Allen will be performing, but runner-up Adam Lambert won't. Christina Aguilera and Enrique Iglesias are also on the bill, as is some sort of goodbye package/performance in honor of the man we love to hate.

For now, check out a preamble posted on Americanidol.com earlier Monday, which features a slew of mentors, guests and ex-Idols. - Idol Tracker

Ellen DeGeneres Talks Idol!

It's Ellen's first week live on American Idol, and today she shared what was happening behind the scenes. Everyone was asking why she kept looking in her cup, and she's got the answer -- you won't believe what Simon left her!

Helping Haiti: Everybody Hurts

Simon Cowell put together a cover of R.E.M.'s "Everybody Hurts" to benefit the Haiti earthquake relief effort.

Leona Lewis, Mariah Carey, Miley Cyrus, Susan Boyle, Kylie Minogue, Westlife, Robbie Williams and Rod Stewart all appear on the track.

The song will be available for download February 8, 2010 and you can purchase it HERE, HERE or HERE. - PerezHilton.com

Simon Cowell's Charity Single List Grows

Simon Cowell has been busy trying to organize a charity single to benefit Haiti relief. Now, Mariah Carey has reportedly joined his cause by agreeing to add her voice to a cover version of REM’s ‘Everybody Hurts’, which will be produced by Steve Robson. Other performers said to be confirmed thus far for the song are Leona Lewis, Susan Boyle, Cheryl Cole, Alexandra Burke, Rod Stewart, James Morrison, Mika, James Blunt, and others. - People

Simon Cowell Leaving Idol for The X Factor

Simon Cowell just signed an agreement to bring X-Factor stateside in the Fall of 2011. Here’s how the FOX schedule will run: American Idol in the Winter/Spring, Dancing with the Stars in the Summer and X Factor in the Fall.

Simon hints that he will work with Paula Abdul in some capacity, but stops short of announcing her as one of the judges. An announcement about the other X Factor judges will be made fairly soon.

Simon says he wants to leave Idol this year “bigger and better than ever.”

Simon also expects Idol will remain the #1 show and that he would not have brought X Factor to the states if he didn’t believe they could co-exist.

New American Idol Promo Pictures

And there's the new American Idol team. From left to right: Randy Jackson, Ellen DeGeneres, Simon Cowell, Ryan Seacrest and Kara DioGuardi. The new season of American Idol will begin January 12 in a two-night, four-hour season premiere on FOX.

Simon Cowell Leaving American Idol

Simon Cowell will be leaving “American Idol” at the end of the season and starring in an American version of his British hit music show, “X Factor,” starting in 2011, according to reports.

Cowell, whose “Idol” contract expires in May and who has been in talks with Fox since last summer, is preparing to announce the new arrangement with Fox early next year, the Times Of London reports.

The future of “Idol” would be thrown into serious doubt if the show’s indisputable star leaves, it would appear.

Officials from Fox, “Idol” and Cowell’s own company yesterday refused comment.

Enjoy the new season of “Idol” because it will probably be the last.

No one in charge of the show — or of the network that airs it, Fox — is saying that.

But if reports that Simon Cowell will end his run on “Idol” after this season and bring his monster Brit hit “X Factor” to the US in 2011 are true, then it’s curtains for the TV show that defined the decade.

Kara DioGuardi Interview at the Today Show

American Idol will be premiering its new season tomorrow night! With the new season, we're also getting a brand new judge. Producer Kara DioGuardi has been added to the list of judges which consists of Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, and Randy Jackson since season one. Kara has worked with pop artists like Pink, Kelly Clarkson, Ashlee Simpson and many more. Check out the interview and don't forget to tune in to American Idol tomorrow night at 8pm on FOX.