Simon Cowell to Be a Judge on X Factor

Simon Cowell won't speculate on who will be behind the judges' table on the American version of The X Factor, but he confirms there will be one familiar face on the panel – himself.

"Once the show goes into production, I become a judge," Cowell told reporters Monday. "Then I have to put my trust into the producers' hands, which is effectively how it works in the U.K. Yes, I am judging."

Before the show starts, Cowell will serve as executive producer and participate in the selection of the judging panel, which has been widely speculated about. Nicole Scherzinger, Rihanna, Jessica Simpson, Paula Abdul, Cheryl Cole, Katy Perry and Will Smith have all been rumored as possible judges on the show.

Cowell says feelers are out to certain possible judges, though he would not list their names. Asked about his former Idol pal Abdul, he said, "I'm a massive fan of Paula. We honestly haven't made our mind up yet … We're talking to a number of people. We hope to make an announcement in three to four weeks."

So, can viewers expect the same hard-nosed Simon Cowell they have come to expect from his years on American Idol? Or will he be a softer, gentler Simon on X Factor?

"I started to cringe over the years as I saw people being booked as the so-called 'mean' judge and being gratuitously rude for the sake of it. I had my own style and like to think I'm honest and wouldn't sugarcoat something to make myself popular," he said. "I am gong to try and be consistent, as I have been over the years … People know what to expect if I'm on the judging panel. I don't think things will change too much."

Cowell is excited about judging on this show since, unlike on Idol, it will involve working directly with contestants. "I wanted to make a show where I could help the competitors on a weekly basis and that's more interesting to me because I will have a lot more to do," he said.

On X-Factor" competitors will make home visits to the judges during the evaluation process and perform in front of live audiences of several thousand right from the start to see "who can handle the pressure," adds Cowell.

Plus, the stakes are high for the hopeful stars: The winner of X Factor will be awarded $5 million record deal, the largest guaranteed prize in TV history.

Cowell also says he's glad that audiences are still interested in talent competitions. "The good news is people are still excited about these shows – Idol, Dancing with the Stars, America's Got Talent – people, thank god, still like these shows and that gives me confidence for when we launch ours [in the fall]."

Nicole Scherzinger & Cheryl Cole Rumored to be Joining Simon Cowell on The X Factor

Nicole Scherzinger and Cheryl Cole are set to sign multi-million dollar contracts for the American version of X Factor.

The Pussycat Dolls singer and the British pop star – who is currently a judge on the British version of the reality TV contest – are set to team up with music mogul Simon Cowell as he launches the singing competition in the US.

It is believed Cheryl is preparing to quit her role on the panel of the British version to make her move to Los Angeles permanently.

A source told Britain's Daily Mail newspaper: "I would say it’s a good bet that Cheryl is coming to America. It’s something that Simon and Cheryl have been discussing for months. You know, it’s a very exciting prospect for everyone involved to have Cheryl on board."

Nicole is also rumored to be preparing to sign a huge contract to sit alongside Simon on the panel, after impressing him during her guest appearance on the UK show – where she stood in for judge Dannii Minogue while she was on maternity leave, and Cheryl while she recovered from malaria.

The New York Post reports: "Sources tell us sultry Scherzinger is a favorite with Cowell after she made a guest appearance as a judge on the hit British version of the show this year."

Cheryl has been spending a lot of time in Los Angeles over the past few months, after growing close to 'Dancing With The Stars' hunk Derek Hough – who she is believed to have been dating since she split from her soon-to-be ex-husband Ashley Cole earlier this year and is looking forward to starting a new life overseas.

The source said: "When Cheryl goes to America she will also launch her music career there too. It’s the next part of her big plan, she’s an incredibly hard worker and she will definitely get a boost by appearing on 'The X Factor', which is set to be a sure-fire hit.

"'The X Factor' will be off air in the UK next year and by the time it returns in January 2012, it is highly unlikely that Cheryl will return.

"Cheryl loves Los Angeles and this is extremely exciting. It is all part of a fresh new start for her."

The US version of The X Factor will premiere next Fall on FOX.

Nicole Scherzinger: Winning Dancing With The Stars is Life-Changing

All season long, Nicole Scherzinger and her partner, Derek Hough, out-tangoed, out-quick stepped and out paso dobled the competition. During the Dancing With the Stars finale Tuesday night, the two earned the distinction of unanimous praise from all three of the judges, who called the pop singer the best dancer in the show’s history.

“I’m totally emotional,” Hough told People Magazine moments after the show ended. “Nicole and I burst out into tears backstage after our Argentine tango. We were so overwhelmed with how happy we were with what was going on tonight. Win, lose, draw we were going to be happy. But to win is phenomenal.”

“I’m kind of speechless right now,” confessed Scherzinger, who helped Hough earn his second mirror ball trophy (he captured the season six title with new co-host Brooke Burke). “I’m going to go into a room and cry. It’s not about the trophy. It’s beyond the trophy. The experience and the challenge and everything you go through — it’s a lot of life-changing experiences in three months and it’s just so intense.”

And the pair may work together again, Hough says, laughing. Scherzinger is working on a solo album and Hough “will be in the back in the videos wearing my lime green rhinestones,” she says.

Meanwhile, there were no hard feelings from talented runners-up Evan Lysacek and Anna Trebunskaya.

“We feel like we haven’t left anything on the table,” Lysacek said. “We all gave it our best shot, but Derek and Nicole were the best from day one. They inspired all of us and kept it going week after week and we’re very happy for them.”

ESPN correspondent Erin Andrews clung to partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy after the show, grateful for his friendship and support.

“I was a mess when I came here,” Andrews, the victim of a stalking scandal, said, her eyes welling with tears. “He was exactly what I needed.”

Like Lysacek, Andrews was thrilled to compete in the finale, and humbled by the experience.

“I am one of the best at what I do and you come into this and all of a sudden you’re not the best any more,” she said. “You just feel insecure, humbled, you’re getting criticized and corrected and it was a lot of medicine to swallow. And I had a lot to deal with off the ballroom floor. It was the perfect thing to happen to me.”

“And the season flew by,” Chmerkovskiy says. “It was blur, blur, blur. Scream, scream, loud noises, and the winner is Derek and Nicole! This did not feel like three months, it felt like three weeks.”

And, adds Lysacek, “I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.”

Who Won on the 10th "Dancing With The Stars"? We've Got Your Results.

After performing a sexy samba and a even sexier freestyle with partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy on Monday night, ESPN reporter Erin Andrews found herself at the top of the leader board for the first time, tied with front-runners Nicole Scherzinger and Derek Hough.

An Olympian who has proved his worth in gold, Evan Lysacek, and his partner Anna Trebunskaya were close behind after the first night of competition on Dancing‘s two-night finale.

Tuesday night they danced again and two were eliminated, leaving one star the proud season 10 champ and owner of the coveted mirror ball trophy.

It’s Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger!

Lysacek was second and Andrews was third.

Scherzinger’s victory capped a banner year for the show. Not every program can top the ratings charts in its 10th season, but Dancing did just that, outdoing juggernaut American Idol several times thanks to a cast that included reality star Kate Gosselin, actress Pamela Anderson, pro football player Chad Ochocinco and Bachelor star Jake Pavelka.

There were the usual are-they-or-aren’t-they dating rumors that swirled around couples like Andrews and Chmerkovskiy, and Cheryl Burke and Ochocinco.

Not to mention plenty of off-the-dance-floor drama. Captured on tape were flaring tempers between pro Tony Dovolani and Gosselin, as well as tears from frustrated pros Chelsie Hightower and Trebunskaya. And no sooner had Andrews put the much-publicized peephole stalking incident behind her when another stalker surfaced and threatened her life.

But in the end it came down to talent, especially that of Pussycat Dolls vocalist Scherzinger, whom pro Jonathan Roberts calls “the best woman to ever be on the show,” and Olympic figure skating champ Lysacek, “the best guy to ever be on the show. In a way, it’s a tragedy that both Evan and Nicole were on the same season, because in any other given season either one of them would hands down be the winner.”

Reality TV Stars Kate Gosselin & Jake Pavelka to Compete on Dancing with the Stars

Not only did America see Dallas pilot Jake Pavelka make a final decision on Monday night’s Bachelor season finale, but it was revealed that he and ten other celebrities — including Shannen Doherty and Pamela Anderson — have signed on to compete on season 10 of Dancing with the Stars.

“It’s fitting that in our landmark tenth season we’ve got many of the stars we’ve been chasing since season one to agree to take part,” Dancing executive producer Conrad Green said. “This has the potential to be the most memorable cast we’ve ever had.”

Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, reality star Kate Gosselin, Olympic gold medalist Evan Lysacek, and actresses Doherty and Anderson highlight the eclectic cast. Also readying to boogie in the ballroom are Pussycat Dolls star Nicole Scherzinger, soap star Aiden Turner, NFL star Chad Ochocinco, ESPN’s Erin Andrews, and actress-comedian Niecy Nash.

Bachelor spoilers ahead!

Dancing with the Star host Tom Bergeron and former Bachelor and Dancing contestant Melissa Rycroft revealed the cast throughout the Bachelor finale and the After The Final Rose special that aired Monday night on ABC.

Tom Bergeron's new co-host, now that Samanth Harris has left the show, has not been revealed. Rycroft is one of the leading candidates for the co-staring role. No word yet as to when we will find out who will be Bergeron's co-host.

Pavelka, who got engaged to 23-year-old Vienna Girardi on the finale, told People magazine last October, “I’m a huge salsa dancer.” But can he rumba?

Fans will find out when the new Dancing season kicks off March 22nd on ABC.