Nicole Scherzinger talks US X Factor, One Direction and life in the air
Nicole Scherzinger joined Scott in the studio as she balanced the launch of her single “Try With Me” with her new role as a judge on the American X Factor. Scott reminded her of their earlier Radio 1 movie filming at Big Weekend, where he had played a superhero, before asking how she was finding the pace of the US show. Nicole said the live programmes had begun and she was still in constant contact with the contestants she was mentoring.
Simon Cowell was never far away, even when Nicole was in London. She explained that he sent regular instructions by text and wanted her to stay closely involved with her acts, although she also described him as genuinely committed to making the programme work. Having originally been lined up as a host, she said she had been delighted when he asked her to take a judge’s seat instead, even if singing remained the role she felt most naturally comfortable doing.
Scott also asked about Enrique Iglesias, who had joined Nicole at the judges’ houses stage. She said they had known one another for years and were close, while Scott recalled an awkward Radio 1 dance he had once done with him. Their conversation moved naturally to One Direction, with Nicole happy to accept some credit for helping to put the five boys together after arguing they were too promising to send home as individual contestants.
The pair compared the British and American versions of X Factor, including Nicole’s excitement at meeting Johnny Robinson during her UK performance. She spoke warmly about the talent on the American show, while Scott made the case for the more eccentric pleasures of the British contestants. The interview kept returning to the way Nicole was moving between countries, performance dates and live television without much time to stop.
That travel led to a surprisingly enthusiastic exchange about planes. Nicole said she enjoyed the chance to be unreachable, using a flight to sleep, listen to music and have a small “date” with herself, while Scott and the team admitted their own fascination was mainly with the airline meal. A discussion of Nicole’s apparently far more glamorous meals, beds and caviar ended with Scott recalling his spectacularly unsuccessful attempt to make soup, a suitably domestic ending to an international pop-star interview.
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