Simon Cowell Wanted Paula Abdul To Remain On X Factor

The X Factor had a big shakeup last week when both Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger were removed from the lineup to make way for bigger names in the music industry, now Simon Cowell is speaking about the firings and according to the former American Idol judge he really wanted to keep Paula in the shows lineup.

Speaking to Extra Cowell, 52, says of his working relationship with his former American Idol partner:

“I would’ve liked to have kept [Paula]. She was very gracious, and I said that to her. She understands it’s business; it’s never personal.”

Cowell also comments on Scherzinger when adding:

“I don’t think she’s mad. I think she’s disappointed.”

Simon admits that his expectations for the show led to the firings:

“It’s only because I opened my big mouth and said we were going to get 20 million [viewers],” Cowell says. “If I hadn’t said that, everybody would be saying the show was a huge success.”

In the meantime Simon Cowell calls rumors of a Beyoncé judging slot “complete nonsense” which means she likely won’t be on the show earning $100 million per season as recently rumored

As for his choices, Simon says Madonna would be great to get but “expensive” while he thinks Katy Perry would be “fun and feisty.”

Cowell also says that Mariah Carey would be great to have on the show but he fears that just giving birth to not one but two kids would make the commitment needed for the show hard on Mariah.

Who would you like to see replace Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger on X Factor?