By Sarah Fitzmaurice
'A Brit singer convicted of assault': An influential U.S. blogger doesn't seem overly impressed with Cheryl Cole
She’s hardly known over in the states and Jennifer Lopez only just seemed to be aware of what she does so it’s fair to say that Cheryl Cole has certainly got her work cut out in cracking America.
But now an influential U.S. blogger has described England’s sweetheart as ‘a Brit singer convicted of assault’ and referred to her as ‘this Cole woman’ - not the best introduction she could have hope for.
In an interview with music mogul and X Factor supremo Simon Cowell, Nikki Finke, editor of Deadline Hollywood has revealed that Cheryl is a ‘shoo-in’ for the U.S. version of the show alongside Paula Abdul – but she isn’t holding back on the fact she isn’t convinced by the Geordie singer.
And Finke's opinion matters - not only has she set up Deadline.com before selling it in 2009 for a reported $14million while still remaining as editor-in-chief, but she also writes for L.A. Weekly and is renowned for her strong views.
Finke writes that none of the contestants auditioning for the American version of the show will ‘have a clue about Cole’.
Strong support: Cowell has told Finke that Cheryl is a very special person and said he always wanted Paula to be on the show
The blogger also details Cheryl’s ‘rough’ history including her conviction for assault and subsequent community service.
However the interview does clearly show Simon’s strong support for the pop princess he gushes about Cheryl to Nikki.
Speaking about when he initially hired Cheryl for the British version of the show Cowell told Finke: ‘I’d only met her literally once when I offered her the job on X Factor.
Final lineup: LA Reid will join Cowell on the judging panel while Nicole Scherzinger, who was at one stage tipped to be a judge, will host the show
'I thought she was bright, cute, knew what she was talking about, ambitious. And you meet someone special a few times in your life.. And this girl is special.’
He also quashes rumours, widely reported, that Fox wasn’t convinced by Cheryl.
Cowell said: ‘Mike Darnell and Peter Rice will tell you they wanted her all the time.’
‘They absolutely fell in love with her. In a way, the deal, it was almost conditional on Cheryl having the gig. They were desperate for her.’
And Cowell also reveals he has wanted Paula Abdul all along he said: ‘I've always wanted Paula. Always been very vocal about that. I missed her the second she left the show.’
Deals haven’t been finalised for Cheryl and for Paula- and the only officially confirmed judge being LA Reid- but the final four is quiet clear, Cowell, Cole, Abdul and Reid, with Nicole Scherzinger as host.
But for Finke the lineup doesn't impress and she ponders: ‘Will Cowell with this panel that's more of a "ZZZZZZ Factor" than The X Factor?’
And while she isn't particularly complementary about former Popstars contestant Cheryl, perhaps her most scathing comments are reserved for Cowell himself.
She concludes: 'Cowell wants himself to be the only celebrated celebrity on his new show.'
source:dailymail
