“X Factor breaks my heart”

Judge Nicole Scherzinger on fighting with Simon Cowell and her Boys’ beauty regime

Shes only been on this year’s The X Factor for a matter of weeks but newcomer Nicole Scherzinger has already made her mark on the panel.

From ruffling feathers by swapping seats with Gary Barlow to her amazing and often bonkers critiques, the former Pussycat Doll has proved she’s both fun and focused, and stolen the nation’s heart – and the other judges’ thunder while she’s at it.

“I’m very confident,” she says of how far she thinks she and her Boys can go. “That’s why I chose them, I feel very blessed to have mentored them. They’re very unique, individual artists.”

While few have questioned the talent of James Arthur (who Nicole refers to as “Clark Kent”) and shy Jahmene Douglas, Rylan Clark proved a controversial choice.

But Nicole, who found fame auditioning on the American version of Popstars, has no regrets about picking him.

In fact, she’s still laughing as she recalls the flamboyant Essex boy’s OTT crying when she broke the news that he was going to the live shows.

“I was like: ‘That was a very expensive pillow you’ve just wiped your tan on!’” she giggles. “I loved it. I was trying to be all dramatic and everything… I should have got an Emmy. It was intense.”

And it’s clear that after all the criticism Rylan has faced Nicole is fiercely protective of him.

“I told him the other day: ‘Do not read the press, it does not define you,’” the 34-year-old singer reveals, herself no stranger to being picked apart in the public eye.

During her Pussycat Dolls days, she was dogged by headlines about tensions within the band and her on-off relationship with Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton is rarely out of the headlines.

“Most of the stuff, 99 per cent of it, is not true,” she says. “I get through it by knowing exactly who I am. I know what I have to give. Everybody else is just hogwash, they don’t know what they’re talking about.”

Nicole is also quick to dismiss any suggestion of a feud with fellow judge Tulisa Contostavlos, even when it comes to those all-important outfits.

“I don’t think there’s any rivalry between us,” she muses. “She’s got her own style and I’ve got mine. I’m still a Pussycat Doll at heart so I like to get all glammed up and I love fashion. I want to push the limits with what I bring to the show.”

While getting dolled up is second nature to the petite star, there’s one part of The X Factor Nicole thinks she’ll never get used to.

“It’s really hard for me to let someone go [each week],” the star admits. “I’m always an artist first and a judge second so I’m very empathetic to what they’re feeling.

“I know exactly how much it means to them and how hard they’ve worked, so it breaks my heart. It’s my least favourite part of this entire competition.”

While the contestants certainly go through the wringer on the show, Nicole reveals that her Boys also get to enjoy quite a few celebrity perks as well.

“I said to them the other day: ‘I know the schedule is gruelling, what do you guys have on tomorrow?’ and they were like: ‘Yeah, well, we’re scheduled for our exfoliation!’”, She laughs.

I was like: ‘What?’ They get the spa treatment! These boys are spoiled.When I started out on my show I had nothing.”

It’s clear Nicole is extremely passionate about The X Factor but it could very nearly have been a different story when, earlier this year, she was replaced as a judge on the US version of the show by Britney Spears.

Being drafted on to the British series doesn’t seem to have upset Nicole one bit, and unlike Cheryl Cole, she has kept her peace with Simon Cowell.

“It’s weird for me to not have Simon on the show, getting under my skin and driving me nuts,” she jokes. “I’m actually having a pleasant time on the show.

“We keep in close contact because Simon is a great teacher and a great mentor to me as well. I was with him last week and he’s really excited about my category.”

He’s not the only one…

Source: thesun.co.uk