Mariah Carey May Replace Nicole Scherzinger on ‘X Factor’

Mark Davis / Stuart Wilson, Getty Images

Call it a clash of the divas! Following a tumultuous first ‘X Factor‘ season, Nicole Scherzinger is rumored to be leaving … And to have a pretty pricey replacement: None other than the best selling female artist of all time, Mariah Carey, may fill the Over 30s judge’s designer shoes!

Sources have been whispering that because Scherzinger wasn’t comfortable seeing contestants get eliminated, she wanted out. Once Mimi heard the news, she reportedly let Simon Cowell know she’d be willing to take Scherzy’s place.

The move, while dramatic, would hardly be surprising. Scherzinger was rumored to have a potential country switch with U.K. ‘X Factor’ judge Kelly Rowland, but it appears that may have fallen by the wayside as she focuses on other projects. In an interview in December, Scherzinger revealed that she was looking forward to finally finishing and releasing her long-delayed album, ‘Killer Love,’ and that she wanted to focus on a burgeoning acting career as well.

Scherzinger’s rumored emotional motives are also likely to play a role in the decision. The former Pussycat Doll faced massive backlash when her deadlock vote sent fan favorite Rachel Crow home. “I’m used to being on stage and performing and singing for people and people cheering for me,” Scherzinger said. “I am an artist first, not a judge first! The elimination process for me has been very difficult.”

For her part, Carey has always been welcome on ‘X Factor’ — but factors like weather, scheduling and cash kept her at bay. Cowell was determined to find a role for Carey on the series. When it was decided that she would be his guest during the judges’ home auditions, Hurricane Irene nixed her travel plans. In December, Carey’s request for a $300,00 payout to perform ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ with teen phenom Justin Bieber was denied.

While we’ll miss Scherzinger — tears and all — we’d love to see what advice and sass Mimi has up her sleeves!

via popcrush.com

Nicole Scherzinger: Paula Abdul Told Me to Vote Rachel Crow Off X-Factor

via tmz.com

"X-Factor" judge Paula Abdul secretly instructed Nicole Scherzinger to vote off Rachel Crow last week ... just moments before the earth-shattering elimination -- and we have proof.

Paula's mic was down when Nicole was making her decision -- but with a little volume tinkering ... you can clearly hear Paula whisper to Nicole, "Just let it go to a deadlock."

Nicole did just that ... a decision that sent Rachel Crow packing -- and resulted in a torrent of death threats from angry fans everywhere.

Everyone's blaming Nicole, but the audio raises the question -- is Nicole really at fault for sending Rachel home?

CAN'T SHE MAKE UP HER MIND AT ALL? IF THERE IS ONE THAT NEEDS TO LEAVE THAT SHOW IT IS NICOLE!

Nicole Scherzinger Speaks on Rachel Crow Ousting

For the record, Nicole Scherzinger did not send Rachel Crow home on Thursday night.

This X Factor judge instead chose to let America decide between the 13-year old and Marcus Canty, yet Scherzinger is the panelist facing the harshest fan rebuke after Crow's name was called for elimination.

"My heart comes from the right place, so I get really sensitive when people are negative," the former Pussycat Doll told reporters after the show. "Don't [critics] know I only want the best for every single person?"

Nicole added that she thought Canty would be selected by voters, though they never got a chance to hear Crow's incredible survival song.

"When I saw that look on her face, [I felt] that I had let her down, like I dropped her," Scherzinger, who shed tears for 30 minutes after the episode, said. "I could have been holding on and I dropped her. She is the sunshine of our show, so it's hard to see her cry."

Crow, however, has come out and said the public should not blame Nicole, while the young crooner's fortunes are already looking up: sources say Disney has requested a meeting with Rachel.

via thehollywoodgossip.com

Nicole Scherzinger and Lewis Hamilton Split. Again.

Nicole Scherzinger can now devote all of her attention to The X Factor.

Following a back-and-forth four-year relationship with racecar driver Lewis Hamilton, sources tell Us Weekly this couple has finally called it quits.

"They were just never together and saw no end to that," an insider said. "Their careers have them working in separate places. Being apart that much never works, so they decided to end it."

Scherzinger and Hamilton met backstage at the MTV Europe Awards in Munich, Germany in November 2007. They split in January 2010, but reconciled soon after.

[Photo: WENN.com]

via thehollywoodgossip.com