09 September 2011
Newsdesk
Simon Cowell is “fascinated” by Paula Abdul.
Paula worked with the British music mogul on American Idol between 2002 and 2009. The 49-year-old recording artist and choreographer decided to leave the popular show after eight seasons.
The pair are teaming up again on the judging panel for the American version of The X Factor, where they will be joined by Nicole Scherzinger and L.A. Reid.
Simon loves working with Paula, claiming she is a very kind person.
"From the minute I met Paula, I was fascinated by her," he told Redbook.
"She's a complex person, but – this is going to sounds very American – she's got a great heart."
Simon and Paula have a famously volatile relationship.
The 51-year-old TV personality, who is renowned for his cutting one-liners, likes working with people who have an opinion.
"I do really like people who disagree with me," he explained.
"Probably my best friends in the world are the people I argue with the most, because they don't always say what you want to hear."
The X Factor premieres on September 21. Simon is looking forward to showcasing the range of talent who have fascinating stories to tell.
"One woman in her mid-40s had gotten out of a horribly abusive marriage. When she sang, she was amazing," he said.
"We saw the 5,000 people in the audience all get on their feet. That's more powerful than a 17-year-old who comes in and says, 'I want to be a star.'”
