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)

KELLY CLARKSON ON "AMERICAN IDOL - WELCOME HOME SPECIAL"

Kelly Clarkson

"Kelly Clarkson, Burleson, Texas.".  Okay, I'll admit I teared up a little watching these American Idol - Welcome Home Special clips on YouTube featuring previous season's Winners.  The Cameras follow each  Singer as they re-visit their Hometowns, describing for us what it was like auditioning for the show and how it has changed their lives ever since.

My favourite Idol, Kelly Clarkson recalls stepping into the Audition Room, not realizing the competition was a Television Show, being surprised to see Paula Abdul as a Judge. "I knew Randy (Jackson) because I was a huge Mariah Carey fan and I used to be that Nerd who reads all the Liner Notes.... so I was flipping out a little bit more about Randy", Clarkson remembers.  "I think that's what so attractive about American Idol is that we're very the 'people the next door' - the American Dream - it gives people a sense of hope that they can do it too.". 

The Singer just completed work on her fifth studio album although some changes in personnel at RCA/Jive Records, run by Barry Weiss, likely will delay original plans to release the Disc early 2011.  Another interesting thing is that RCA (formerly part of BMG) will no longer be signing Idol contestants as a new deal has been inked between the show and Universal Music Group's A&M/Geffen/Interscope Records. The new season of American Idol, the first without Simon Cowell, premieres January 19, 2011 on FOX.

 

Watch all four Clips below.  Grab a Tissue.