Nicole Scherzinger vows to put the sex back into X Factor as she prepares for comeback
Singer shocks fellow judges by twerking for her favourite contestants
NICOLE Scherzinger promised to bring the Sex Factor back to X Factor – and delivered by using her famous derriere to “bum clap” favoured contestants while twerking on the judging panel.
In tonight’s highly anticipated launch episode, fellow judges Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh are left shocked when Nicole stands up after a performance by Finnish singer Saara Aalto and says: “My ass wants to clap for you.”
And in an exclusive interview, the 38-year-old ex-girlfriend of F1 ace Lewis Hamilton reveals she spent weeks perfecting the technique with professional dancers.
Referring to the audition, she tells The Sun: “Oh My God. Obviously I was so inspired. She [Saara Aalto] was amazing so she made me want to twerk. And actually twerking is really making your bum clap – that’s what twerking is.
“I had to learn it. It’s actually a quite skillful thing. Dancers had to teach me in a swimming pool.
“It’s quite technical, I’m serious, there’s an art to twerking – you’ve got to be able to tense up but also to let go.
“But also have muscle control but let it all go. And also you have to stay in rhythm so sometimes you can do the double bounce, the double clap.”
This is most definitely a more fun-loving Nicole to the one I remember backstage at The X Factor three years ago, who was regularly in tears as her eight-year on/off relationship with Lewis crumbled in the public eye.
She’s now in a much happier relationship with 25-year-old Bulgarian tennis ace Grigor Dimitrov, who I revealed she was dating last November.
Referring to her painful last experience on X Factor, she recalls: “Absolutely it was tough – it’s not easy to have it all out there. But that’s what makes us human and connects us.”
Then she adds tellingly: “I’m at a very good place now. I’m really happy. I don’t feel like there is any wall up or any tension or awkwardness.
“But that’s what’s so great with time and life and experience. What doesn’t break you or doesn’t kill you really only makes you stronger.”
The split from Lewis was only briefly mentioned during filming after a contestant performed Nicole’s heartbreak song Run, which include the lyrics: “He'll leave you with a broken heart.”
After the performance, Cowell said: “Why did this song make me think of Lewis Hamilton? It just came into my head listening to it. Run away, Nicole, run away fast.”
She then dedicated the lyrics of the song to Lewis, confirming they were written about the relationship.
Nicole says of the incident: “I wasn’t shying away from anything. But I’m not taking any low digs or slaps at my past relationship because that’s just not who I am.
“Music speaks for itself and it’s open to interpretation for everyone. But I will tell you that everything I sing, I sing it from my piece of truth.”
Nicole’s return alongside Sharon Osbourne, 63, in place of younger judges Cheryl, 33, and Rita Ora, 25 – a decision she believes will improve the talent show.
Putting on her best outraged voice, she screeches dramatically: “Someone asked me what I had that the other judges don’t? I was like: ‘Really?’ Do you really need to ask?”
Well, yes. What is it you have that Rita and Cheryl before you didn’t?
She answers: “I mean look I’m not taking anything away from anyone else. I’m all about women empowerment and lifting other women up.
“I’ve worked too hard to put other people down – I don’t need to do that.
“But as far as this goes, I think the biggest thing I have going for me is experience. Experience speaks for itself.
“I’ve been in the game for a minute. I've had the honour of performing with so many respected musicians. I’ve got a gig with Andrea Bocelli in two weeks.
“I’ve done theatre. I’ve done music. My work speaks for itself. I think that’s what it is.”
Nicole’s return to X Factor involved some drama – she managed to fall out with Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber by falling out of the Broadway version of Cats to take the job, which he said made him look like “an absolute twot”.
Former Pussycat Dolls Nicole says the theatre legend “feels like family to me” after spending nights at his house in London watching, somewhat ironically, X Factor and adds she “only ever want to make him proud”.
But is she on his famous blacklist now? “I hope not because everything I did from my heart was true,” she answers sincerely.
“When I did Cats I put everything into it and did everything for it. Hopefully he respects me with the decisions that I’ve made.”
Show boss Cowell – who she says is “milking” the situation – is facing his own battle with Nicole…over One Direction. Both claim they put the band together on the show in 2010.
Nicole argues: “I stand by that. I’d fight with him on this in front of him.
“He could at least give me the credit because he’s getting the cash flow from it. I didn’t even get a percentage.
“These kids (from 1D) are looking at houses the same price as mine. I’m like: ‘Wait a second here!’
“I’m the one having to stand in line to buy One Direction backpacks for my nieces.”
Cowell, she claims, is still stealing her ideas, saying: “It’s become a running joke now because it’s got so bad.”
At this point, I feel it’s an opportune moment to tell Nicole that when I interviewed Simon recently he branded her a “wacko”.
'Si bat-ter watch out'
DERMOT O’Leary says Simon Cowell better watch out because returning judge Nicole is “bat-s*** crazy”.
The host, 43, says this year’s panel of Nicole, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh will stand up to Simon — unlike Cheryl, Nick Grimshaw, and Rita Ora last year.
He added: “Sharon’s not scared of Simon and that empowers Louis.
“And Nicole’s bat-s*** crazy so she doesn’t give a s*** one way or the other. It’s a great panel.”
“He loves wacko. What’s interesting or fun about being normal?”
“But what Louis said as well is that I’m a hardworking person.
“Dermot was asked who his bet is to win and he said Scherzy. He’s behind-the-scenes so he sees how much I care.
“I really do care about my contestants – about the work, the art behind it.
“I get it from my family – I’m one of the most craziest, most insane people when it comes to work. I’m a workaholic.”
But she still has time to get into British pop culture, including a lesson on ‘vajazzling’ from new Xtra Factor presenter Rylan Clark.
She laughs before saying: “I’ve never had one. I don’t know why I would need to have one.
RELATED STORIES
“But Rylan told me about a waxing thing. I don’t think I need to think about vajazzling an area that will never be seen on TV.”
Nicole is now focused on mentoring her “strong” boys category and securing the services of Taylor Swift’s ex Calvin Harris to join her at judges’ houses (“we’ll see” is all she’ll say on the booking).
And given she’s in the country, she might even tune into X Factor for the first time too. Maybe.
She says honestly: “Actually I never watched any of them. Ever. I never have. I saw a couple when I was on it myself, just so I could critique myself about what I could do better. But I’ve never seen it.
“I’m asking people what’s different about it and they’re telling me it feels fresher and there’s a better energy on the panel.”
Keep up-to-date with all the latest news and gossip on our dedicated X Factor page.