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Posh Reels In $5M Idol Contract

By Mary Papenfuss, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 16, 2009 7:34 AM CDT

(Newser) – Victoria Beckham has landed a $5 million contract to sit in for Paula Abdul on American Idol, even though inside sources claim she fumbled her audition, reports the Daily Mail. She has host Simon Cowell's support, though program producers are still worried she comes across as too British and is too painfully thin to satisfy American audiences. They'll be closely following approval ratings in focus groups to determine how long she continues in the hot seat.

In this undated handout image provided by Giorgio Armani, Victoria Beckham appears in a promotional add for Giorgio Armani. (AP Photo/ Giorgio Armani)

Too bony for America? (AP Photo/Charles Pulliam, file)

Victoria Beckham watches a soccer match in Milan, Italy, in May. (AP Photo/Alberto Pellaschiar)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 13 comments

jaguarj

Aug 17, 2009 6:55 AM CDT

Right on..youngblood!

Bambi

Aug 16, 2009 12:46 PM CDT

Sadly, the least compelling, and least role-model of the Spice Girls--all the others of who had giant warm personalities incorporating an upbeat and playful, if juvenile, feminism. Victoria won't be able to substitute for the maternal balance that Abdul brought to the judges panel. However, the broadcast juggernaut has a momentum of it's own, and I'm sure it won't cause a slide in advertising revenue.

cochiserocks

Aug 16, 2009 12:39 PM CDT

The Beckhams seem to have a limitless talent for convincing people at the top that they are worth serious money contracts - and then disappointing all concerned - yet mysteriously finding another gravy train to jump out of town on. Not Britain's finest export.

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Entertainment • Money

American Idol • Simon Cowell • Victoria Beckham • contract • Audition • Paula Abdul

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Simon Fires Practically Everyone From X Factor

Paula Abdul, Nicole Scherzinger, Steve Jones all get the boot

(NEWSER) - It was a "bloodbath" at X Factor yesterday, Nikki Finke writes at Deadline , with host Steve Jones and judges Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul all getting the ax. Apparently Simon Cowell himself made the decision to clean house, according to the Hollywood Reporter . Cowell and LA Reid are the only two judges who will return for the second season of the reality competition, which has garnered not-great ratings. Insiders tell the Reporter Abdul was seen as "irrelevant to the mix," and add that Cowell wants bigger celebrities on the panel. More»

Paula: Simon and I Are in 'Honeymoon Phase'

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(AP) - Paula Abdul says her reunion with Simon Cowell on his new talent show is "still in the honeymoon phase." The 48-year-old Abdul told reporters in Singapore today that Fox's The X Factor will probably be "ginormous" as the two former American Idol judges reunite to assess would-be singing stars. Abdul said she and Simon have "a wonderful, exquisite, challenging and frightening relationship." The X Factor taped its first judging session earlier this month and will debut this fall. (Click to read about Kara DioGuardi's rough experience with pot brownies ... at Paula's house.) More»

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(NEWSER) - It will be just like old times: Paula Abdul will join Simon Cowell as a judge on his new talent show, the X Factor, reports AP . The move had been rumored , but a source says Abdul will indeed be at the judges' table when the first taping takes place Sunday in Los Angeles. The show, based on a British version, will debut on Fox in the fall. Singers will vie for a $5 million record contract. Click to read about how one of the new American Idol judges is the show's best ever . More»

Jennifer Lopez Is Idol ’s Best Judge Ever

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(NEWSER) - Simon who? Jennifer Lopez has emerged as "the most cogent, sensible, and helpful judge Idol has ever had," writes Jon Caramanica in the New York Times . It makes prefect sense: Lopez, after all, is neither a great singer nor a great actress, but she's famous for both careers, he observes. That's "because she deeply understands the extrinsic factors and strategies that go into creating a star." More»

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(NEWSER) - The Simon Cowell-Paula Abdul reunion is almost on, according to an exclusive interview Cowell gave to Nikki Finke. The former American Idol judge says that while the deal is not yet done, he definitely wants Abdul as a judge on The X Factor, the US version of his hit UK show debuting this fall on Fox. "I've always wanted Paula. Always been very vocal about that," he tells Finke. "Always loved working with her even though she can be a pain. I don’t know what it is about her, but I've always clicked with her. You just have to get that chemistry, and she's right. I've never found anyone better than her." More»

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Posh Reels In $5M Idol Contract

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

American Idol • Simon Cowell • Victoria Beckham • contract • Audition • Paula Abdul

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More Newser Stories

Simon Fires Practically Everyone From X Factor

Paula Abdul, Nicole Scherzinger, Steve Jones all get the boot

Paula: Simon and I Are in 'Honeymoon Phase'

Pop singer expects 'X Factor' to be 'ginormous'

Paula Abdul Rejoining Simon Cowell on X Factor

Idol Judges Will Reunite for His New Talent Reality Show

Jennifer Lopez Is Idol ’s Best Judge Ever

Because she knows how to create a star from modest talent: Jon Caramanica

Simon Taps Paula for New Show

Deal isn't finalized, but Cowell says he's 'always wanted' her

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Posh Reels In $5M Idol Contract

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

American Idol • Simon Cowell • Victoria Beckham • contract • Audition • Paula Abdul

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Simon Fires Practically Everyone From X Factor

Paula Abdul, Nicole Scherzinger, Steve Jones all get the boot

Paula: Simon and I Are in 'Honeymoon Phase'

Pop singer expects 'X Factor' to be 'ginormous'

Paula Abdul Rejoining Simon Cowell on X Factor

Idol Judges Will Reunite for His New Talent Reality Show

Jennifer Lopez Is Idol ’s Best Judge Ever

Because she knows how to create a star from modest talent: Jon Caramanica

Simon Taps Paula for New Show

Deal isn't finalized, but Cowell says he's 'always wanted' her

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?