PAULA ABDUL JOINS "THE X FACTOR USA"

Paula Abdul & Simon Cowell lock lips on American Idol

She's back! And it was only a matter of time. Paula Abdul is the final judge confirmed to sign aboard Simon Cowell's latest endeavour in the U.S., The X Factor USA.

Cowell told a crowd at the University of Southern California's Galen Center yesterday during the first round of Auditions, "I admire that at the 11th hour, she (Abdul) decided to play hardball. It's a little nuts.... she's got a lot at stake here.".

Abdul will be joining her American Idol alumni Cowell, Music Mogul Antonio "L.A." Reid and former Girls Aloud member Cheryl Cole as judges on the American version of the same popular UK Series which made Leona Lewis a Star.

The Show's Hosts will be former Pussycat Doll member Nicole Scherzinger and popular British TV personality, Steven Jones.

The winner of the Competition, which premieres this September on Fox, will win a $5 million record deal.

(Photo credit: Fox)

NEW MUSIC: ENRIQUE IGLESIAS FT. NICOLE SCHERZINGER - HEARTBEAT

OMG. Although I’m totally ashamed to admit it, I love both of Enrique Iglesias’ two first singles from forthcoming album Euphoria. First single I Like It ft. Pitbull is this summer’s When Love Takes Over (Kelly Rowland/David Guetta) and instantly makes me want to put on a pair of Sandals and frolic in the Sand. But second single Heartbeat featuring failed Pussycat Doll-cum-Dancing with the Stars Queen Nicole Scherzinger, is magic. The electro-pop ballad is sexy and understated and I predict that it will be one of those rare hits that crosses over from both Adult Contemporary Radio and Top 40 radio seamlessly. Euphoria will be released via Universal Music July 6, 2010 in North America.

Preview Heartbeat (ft. Nicole Scherzinger) in full below (courtesy of Universal Music):