Nicole Scherzinger has discussed her departure from The X Factor ahead of its 11th season, saying she was only originally supposed to sign up for one year.

The singer was a huge hit with viewers when she joined the 2012 run, taking James Arthur to victory and also having Jahmene Douglas finish in second place.

On the 2013 run, she coached Tamera Foster – who has now signed a major record deal.

Now, she says: “I was only ever meant to sign on for one year. I almost didn’t come back for a second year, but because of that darn British public – I love them so much – I came back.

“I loved my job and I took great pride and put a lot of passion and hard work into working with the contestants. I loved my family of judges, but they weren’t coming back and it had its time.”

She went on: “I had also been so hungry for years to get back to the music. I never did the show to put out music. I’ve never put out an album from it, because people forget I’m from America as an international artist and so I have to work all of the territories. So when I was here for The X Factor, I couldn’t fly back. I just don’t do that. I didn’t make one trip back to LA in three months.”

The star said that she decided the time had come to get a new record out, following her 2011 effort Killer Love.

“I’ve made the decision that it’s time for my music. I’m not getting any younger,” she joked. “I always say, ‘I look good under bright lights, but I’ve got to seize the moment now!’

“Being part of the show inspired me and made me more hungry for it, so now I have this new album, I’m ready to get back out on the road and tour. That’s what I really want to do.”

To that end, her new single ‘Your Love’ is out on July 13.

Source: entertainmentwise.com