Steve Jones, Nicole Scherzinger & Paula Abdul Axed from the X Factor U.S.

Feb 1, 2012 Author: Pinoy Ambisyoso | Filed under: Entertainment, Featured, X Factor USA

X Factor host Steve Jones and judges Nicole Scherzinger & Paula Abdul are not returning to X Factor Season 2. Jones announced on Twitter that he’s not coming back to host the show.

“@SteveJones : I wont be hosting next seasons XFactor which is a shame but I cant complain as I’ve had a great time. Good luck to everyone on the show.”

E! is now reporting that Nicole Scherzinger will not be returning as judge for Season 2 of “The X Factor.”
“She wants to focus on her music career,” their source said. “She’s spoken to Simon [Cowell] and he’s given her his blessing … ‘X Factor’ took a lot more of her time than she ever expected. She didn’t have any time really to work on her music. She was doing ‘X Factor’ six days a week.”

Sources also confirmed to E! Online that judge Paula Abdul will also not be returning to “The X Factor,” leaving Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid as the only original members of the judging panel for Season 2. “She found out today,” a show source told E! Online.

“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 override personal considerations. Simon 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,” Abdul said.

Meanwhile, Simon Cowell issued a statement Tuesday thanking the three for their participation in the show, which crowned Melanie Amaro as its first winner in December.

“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,” Cowell said.

Photo by Mark Davis, Getty Images