Nicole Scherzinger

Nicole Scherzinger (born June 29, 1978) is an American recording artist and judge of both X Factor USA and X Factor UK. She was originally hired to co-host alongside Steve Jones but later replaced Cheryl Cole as a judge. She was the mentor of the Over 30s group and her three finalists were Josh Krajcik, Stacy Francis, and LeRoy Bell. Krajcik finished second to Melanie Amaro.

Scherzinger is formally a member of the groups Eden's Crush and the Pussycat Dolls. She also competed on season 10 of Dancing with The Stars, which she won along with partner Derek Hough. Scherzinger also has judging experience, having previously been a judge on the NBC singing competition show The Sing-Off, leaving after two seasons to join X Factor USA.

In addition to her judging and mentoring duties on the show, she is also working on a solo career, having released her debut solo album Killer Love on March 18, 2011. The album's second single "Don't Hold Your Breath" hit number 2 on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart.

It was announced on January 30, 2012 that Scherzinger would not be returning to X Factor USA for its second season.

On June 15, 2012, it was announced that Scherzinger would replace Kelly Rowland as a judge on X Factor UK. For series 9, her first on the show, Scherzinger mentored the winner, James Arthur. On February 12, 2014, it was reported she left the show after series 10 to focus on her music career.

In a Season 1 episode in December 2011, Scherzinger was responsible for casting the vote to deadlock, which resulted in Rachel Crow's elimination. Crow collapsed to the floor and cried hysterically after the results were read as well as Scherzinger being very devastated. She shook her head and turned away after the host asked her if she wanted to say something to Crow, and was booed by the audience for placing the vote on deadlock. After the show, TMZ interviewed her and Crow came to her dressing room and comforted her, claiming that she didn't expect that to happen but she was fine and the vote being placed to deadlock wasn't Scherzinger's fault.