SIMON COWELL WANTED TO KEEP PAULA ON 'X FACTOR'

Thursday, February 09 2012 06:13

Simon Cowell isn't happy that he had to fire his friend Paula Abdul from X Factor. Speaking about the recent cast bloodbath, Simon told Extra, "I would've liked to have kept Paula. She was very gracious, and I said that to her. She understands it's business; it's never personal."

After the show's first season failed to live up to Simon's expectations in the ratings, he dismissed Adbul, Nicole Scherzinger and host Steve Jones.

Cowell blames himself for setting unrealistic goals, explaining that he only had to make changes "because I opened my big mouth and said we were going to get 20 million viewers. If I hadn't said that, everybody would be saying the show was a huge success."

The only surviving on air talent -- aside from Simon -- is L.A. Reid. Why keep him? Simon explained, "There's not a record executive out there who is as good as him for the job."

As for who will step in? Simon addressed several of the casting rumors, denying that Beyonce was being considered and saying that although Mariah Carey would be great, "you can't expect someone who's just had two kids to make the kind of commitment you would need on this show."

NICOLE REACTS TO HER FIRING

When asked how Nicole took the news of her firing Simon said, "I don't think she's mad. I think she's disappointed."

Scherzinger, however, seems to be slightly hostile about the situation, telling Access Hollywood, "All I know is that I gave 110 percent to that show. I know everybody's talking about it, they're saying good, bad, they love me or hate me, but the one thing you can't say is that I didn't give it my all."