X Factor USA

Rodney Jerkins could replace Simon Cowell on American Idol, reports say.

Earlier this week, Cowell announced that he will be leaving the show to focus on an American version of The X Factor.

The New York Post has now claimed that Rodney Jerkins could take Cowell's place.

The producer, who has worked with artists including Beyoncé, Lady GaGa, Jennifer Lopez and Britney Spears, reportedly impressed producers when he appeared as a judge on the MTV show Starmakers.

Meanwhile, a source described Jenkins as "very Simon-esque".

However, representatives for Jenkins and American Idol did not comment on the speculation.

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Piers Morgan has revealed that he would like to be a judge on the US version of The X Factor.

The former newspaper editor already works with show boss Simon Cowell on Britain's Got Talent, but has not yet appeared on an American programme with the music mogul.

Morgan told The Sun: "I would love to work with Simon on it as we have a laugh on Britain's Got Talent. I give him quite a lot of stick and he quite likes it. Americans would find it hysterical."

He added: "The X Factor in America will be huge."

The America's Got Talent panellist also confirmed that he would accept a position as Cowell's replacement on the next season of American Idol.

Morgan said: "If I was offered that job you wouldn't say no. It is a job everyone wants."

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Simon Cowell has confirmed that the US version of The X Factor will begin towards the end of 2011.

There had previously been speculation that Fox would shift American Idol to the Fall to make room for Cowell's new show in January 2011.

Scheduling the new variant of The X Factor in September means that Cowell will simultaneously work on both the UK and US series.

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Ant & Dec have revealed that they would consider working with Simon Cowell on the US X Factor.

The Saturday Night Takeaway duo claimed that they are very busy working on projects for ITV, but would not rule out the prospect of working on the reality show.

"If [Simon] was to call us up and ask us then we would have to look at it," Ant told Metro.

"We've just signed to ITV for another two years so physically I don't know if we could. [But] it would be an amazing adventure."

Ant & Dec's last US TV show Wanna Bet? was axed by ABC following poor ratings for the first series. The pair have previously worked with Cowell on Britain's Got Talent and Pop Idol.

Other stars linked to the US X Factor, which will launch in late 2011, are Paula Abdul, Sinitta, Cheryl Cole, Amanda Holden, Dermot O'Leary, Beyoncé and Megan Fox.

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Simon Cowell has asked Lady GaGa to join the US version of The X Factor, a report claims.

According to The Sun, the music mogul would like GaGa to be a judge on the forthcoming talent series, which will launch on Fox towards the end of 2011.

However, it is thought that the 'Bad Romance' star would be too busy to commit to the show every week, meaning that another role for the singer is also possible.

A source said: "Simon thinks Lady GaGa is great and really likes her energy. Conversations have been happening between Cowell's US team and her people about what kind of role she could have on the show."

GaGa performed on the UK version of The X Factor last year after being approached by Cowell.

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Dermot O'Leary is to enter talks to front the US version of The X Factor, a report has claimed.

The TV host, who already presents the UK show on ITV1, is in Los Angeles ahead of a meeting to discuss his possible involvement in the programme, according to The Sun.

O'Leary is expected to this week meet Cecile Frot-Coutaz, who is the chief executive of show producers FremantleMedia.

A source said: "Dermot is really trying to crack the States and hosting The X Factor is the obvious answer. He's been in LA getting his face about all week and has even done some filming for Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen USA to get exposure.

"He's also got Simon Cowell bigging him up so things look good."

The US version of The X Factor will launch on Fox towards the end of 2011. O'Leary has been tipped to present the series for some time.

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Simon Cowell has reportedly suggested that he wants Cheryl Cole to appear on the US version of The X Factor.

According to the Daily Star, Cowell has already assured the Girls Aloud singer that she has a place on the show.

"I'd love to have Cheryl on the show," he said. "We have a great chemistry."

Cowell reportedly winked when he was asked if she was guaranteed a place as a judge, adding: "Cheryl's a natural star. People can't help but warm to her."

He also revealed that he is supporting Cole since her split from husband Ashley, but said: "Cheryl's a tough cookie. She'll be fine."

Sources have claimed that Cole is planning to accept the offer and is now arranging for a divorce from her former husband.

"Simon thinks America will fall in love with Cheryl, just like Britain has," an insider said. "She has a unique talent for winning everybody over. She gets involved emotionally with her acts, whereas the other judges don't. She is incredibly passionate, genuine and caring and he knows he needs a judge like that on the line-up."

The source continued: "Simon also loves that Cheryl isn't afraid to stand up to him on the show. He knows their banter will be a massive hit with American audiences. Not only does he want her on American X Factor but he wants her to be sat on the much sought-after seat directly next to him. Cheryl has told Ashley. Now they are working out what to do."

Meanwhile, Cowell also revealed that he has abandoned the idea of having five judges in the next series of The X Factor.

"There will be four judges on both the British and American X Factors," he explained. "There won't be a fifth judge this time."


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Cheryl Cole might be feeling down in the dumps at the moment but thanks to her friend, Simon Cowell, she may soon have something very big to smile about. According to The Daily Mirror Simon wants to take the singer to America to judge on their X Factor and is paying her a huge $2.2m for her judging ability. He told the paper, ‘I took more of a gamble taking Piers Morgan to the States. Cheryl will be loved immediately. We've got to nail her. She’d be great over here – Cheryl’s a star.’

Sinitta has claimed that she will appear on the US version of The X Factor.

According to The Sun, the 'So Macho' singer revealed that Simon Cowell has already promised her a job on the show.

"I told him that I want to and he said, 'It shouldn't be a problem'," she explained.

Current X Factor judge Cheryl Cole recently said that she would consider appearing on the show but is worried that Americans will not be able to understand her "weird accent".

However, Sinitta suggested that she should "take elocution lessons".

Hilary Duff has revealed that she is interested in being a judge on the American version of The X Factor .

The 22-year-old, who has been rumoured to have been offered a judging role on the Simon Cowell show, has insisted that she would love to team up with the music mogul when he launches the US show.

Duff told The Ellen DeGeneres Show : "I would totally do it."

As for having any reservations judging contestants, she added: "It's got to be hard to judge people to their face."