What's up New Jersey? Nicole Scherzinger and her fellow judges Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and LA Reid take the stage for the first day of X Factor auditions
There were both new and old faces on stage when the X Factor U.S. judges kick-started the first day of auditions in New Jersey today.
Waving her arms in the air, newcomer Nicole Scherzinger cheered triumphantly as she took to the stage for the first time since getting promoted from co-host to judge on the hit talent show.
The former Pussycat Doll didn't waste any time getting front and centre as she waved to the crowd of fans there to welcome her and fellow judges, Simon Cowell, Paula Adbul and LA Reid.
As 32-year-old Scherzinger looked like the cat who got the cream lapping up the glory of her dream job, jilted judge Cheryl Cole, 27, languished at home in London licking her wounds.
Saula is back: American Idol judges and close friends Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul look happy to be reunited
American Idol alums Cowell and Abdul, dubbed 'Saula' were already continuing their cosy friendship as the Straight Up singer perched on the British mogul's lap with her arm around the neck.
It looked like the first day of auditions went smoothly despite the recent X Factor dramas that have kept fans riveted with constant changes in the judging panels both in the UK and Stateside.
In an interview recorded earlier this week on The Graham Norton Show in Britain, which airs on Friday, Scherzinger claimed that she only found out she would be replacing Cole on the panel of the U.S. show when she read it in the newspaper.
Co-workers: Scherzinger and Adbul flew to New York, from London and Los Angeles respectively, to begin working together side-by-side in the judges' hot seats
'I haven’t said this yet, but I think it’s official that I have been made a judge. It's an amazing opportunity,' she told Norton.
'I’m kind of finding out (what’s happening) along with everyone else. It’s kind of crazy to read about it in the newspaper first.'
As her new co-worker settled into her job, Abdul pledged her continual support for the woman she replaced on Twitter and promised fans that she would stay in touch with Cole after the pair 'forged a wonderful relationship.'
Paula Abdul posted this picture of herself and fellow X Factor U.S. judge Cheryl Cole on Twitter along with the message: 'Gotta tell you about Cheryl - 'The Fierce' is STRONG w/ this one! :) she's lovely! xoP'
Paula took to her Twitter page to praise Cheryl, who was unceremoniously fired from the U.S. TV talent show after failing to impress television executives. She wrote: 'Cheryl is amazing. We have forged a wonderful friendship & have been & will continue to stay in touch.' Paula then hinted that she knows what Cheryl has planned for the near future, adding: 'I'm excited for everyone to see and hear what she is about to do next.' Cheryl and Paula worked together for just a week as the first X Factor USA auditions took place. After Cheryl left the U.S. show, she was offered a place back on the panel of the British X Factor, but left it too long to decide and was replaced on that panel by N-Dubz singer Tulisa Contostavlos.
Heartfelt tweet: Abdul claimed her and Cole forged a 'wonderful friendship' during their brief time together working on the show and she pledged her loyalty to her short-lived side-kick on Twitter
Moving on: Abdul hints in a cryptic tweet that she may know what Cole's next career move is
Meanwhile, Simon Cowell spoke out earlier this week to apologise to Cheryl for the way the whole situation with the X Factor U.S. had been dealt with.
He said: 'A hundred per cent I have to take full responsibility, because I do have a lot of sway.
‘This has been a rough two weeks. The hardest thing to accept is that everyone has painted me as a monster because I embarrassed her. But the truth was I was protecting her.
‘I apologise that all this has become public and I understand the stress she is under, and I hate that. But we have all been under a lot of stress.
‘When things like this happen I look at the contestants on our shows, they must think this is crazy. All the attention is on us.
‘I am sorry this has caused so much anguish and embarrassment, but I stand by what I believe was the right intention. And I would say that to her face right now.’
What's up New Jersey? Nicole Scherzinger and her fellow judges Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and LA Reid take the stage for the first day of X Factor auditions
There were both new and old faces on stage when the X Factor U.S. judges kick-started the first day of auditions in New Jersey today.
Waving her arms in the air, newcomer Nicole Scherzinger cheered triumphantly as she took to the stage for the first time since getting promoted from co-host to judge on the hit talent show.
The former Pussycat Doll didn't waste any time getting front and centre as she waved to the crowd of fans there to welcome her and fellow judges, Simon Cowell, Paula Adbul and LA Reid.
As 32-year-old Scherzinger looked like the cat who got the cream lapping up the glory of her dream job, jilted judge Cheryl Cole, 27, languished at home in London licking her wounds.
Saula is back: American Idol judges and close friends Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul look happy to be reunited
American Idol alums Cowell and Abdul, dubbed 'Saula' were already continuing their cosy friendship as the Straight Up singer perched on the British mogul's lap with her arm around the neck.
It looked like the first day of auditions went smoothly despite the recent X Factor dramas that have kept fans riveted with constant changes in the judging panels both in the UK and Stateside.
In an interview recorded earlier this week on The Graham Norton Show in Britain, which airs on Friday, Scherzinger claimed that she only found out she would be replacing Cole on the panel of the U.S. show when she read it in the newspaper.
Co-workers: Scherzinger and Adbul flew to New York, from London and Los Angeles respectively, to begin working together side-by-side in the judges' hot seats
'I haven’t said this yet, but I think it’s official that I have been made a judge. It's an amazing opportunity,' she told Norton.
'I’m kind of finding out (what’s happening) along with everyone else. It’s kind of crazy to read about it in the newspaper first.'
As her new co-worker settled into her job, Abdul pledged her continual support for the woman she replaced on Twitter and promised fans that she would stay in touch with Cole after the pair 'forged a wonderful relationship.'
Paula Abdul posted this picture of herself and fellow X Factor U.S. judge Cheryl Cole on Twitter along with the message: 'Gotta tell you about Cheryl - 'The Fierce' is STRONG w/ this one! :) she's lovely! xoP'
Paula took to her Twitter page to praise Cheryl, who was unceremoniously fired from the U.S. TV talent show after failing to impress television executives. She wrote: 'Cheryl is amazing. We have forged a wonderful friendship & have been & will continue to stay in touch.' Paula then hinted that she knows what Cheryl has planned for the near future, adding: 'I'm excited for everyone to see and hear what she is about to do next.' Cheryl and Paula worked together for just a week as the first X Factor USA auditions took place. After Cheryl left the U.S. show, she was offered a place back on the panel of the British X Factor, but left it too long to decide and was replaced on that panel by N-Dubz singer Tulisa Contostavlos.
Heartfelt tweet: Abdul claimed her and Cole forged a 'wonderful friendship' during their brief time together working on the show and she pledged her loyalty to her short-lived side-kick on Twitter
Moving on: Abdul hints in a cryptic tweet that she may know what Cole's next career move is
Meanwhile, Simon Cowell spoke out earlier this week to apologise to Cheryl for the way the whole situation with the X Factor U.S. had been dealt with.
He said: 'A hundred per cent I have to take full responsibility, because I do have a lot of sway.
‘This has been a rough two weeks. The hardest thing to accept is that everyone has painted me as a monster because I embarrassed her. But the truth was I was protecting her.
‘I apologise that all this has become public and I understand the stress she is under, and I hate that. But we have all been under a lot of stress.
‘When things like this happen I look at the contestants on our shows, they must think this is crazy. All the attention is on us.
‘I am sorry this has caused so much anguish and embarrassment, but I stand by what I believe was the right intention. And I would say that to her face right now.’
Who is that girl? Judges on America's Got Talent had to do a double take when contestant Dani Shay, who is a dead ringer for Justin Bieber, pictured right, took to the stage in Houston Texas
Judges on America's Got Talent had to do a double take when contestant Dani Shay took to the stage at the Houston, Texas auditions, last night.
The androgynous 22-year-old female performer was a complete dead ringer for 17-year-old pop sensation Justin Bieber.
With Bieber's former famous hair flip, Shay immediately had the crowd in a frenzy before she even opened her mouth.
Doppelgänger: With Bieber's former famous hair flip, Shay immediately had the crowd in a frenzy before she even opened her mouth
Introducing herself, the Bieber doppelgänger joked to the judges 'Justin Bieber looks like me,' as they discussed her extraordinary likeness to the teenage male star.
Shay performed a spoof of Bieber's hit song 'Baby', referring to her life as a lookalike.
The performance was met with laughs and cheers from the crowd.
'Dani you are truly amazing!!' exclaimed judge Howie Mandel.
Daring: High diver Darren Taylor, who goes by the nickname of Professor Splash, jumped from a balcony at the theatre in Houston, Texas, in front of a hushed live audience
'I think you are very talented young lady and I love the humour you brought to this. But I think you are talented in your own right,' said Piers Morgan.
All three judges then sent Shay to the next round.
Another contestant also stunned the judges when he belly flopped from a height of 26ft into a 12-inch deep paddling pool.
Take a deep breath: The diver is seen here preparing to belly flop from a height of 26ft into a 12-inch deep paddling pool
Splash: Audience members and host Nick Cannon gasped as he landed in the wading pool
He did it! The man who had already dislocated his neck twice and broken his heels five times, got a roaring applause from the audience after pulling off his stunt
High diver Darren Taylor, who goes by the nickname of Professor Splash, jumped from a balcony at the theatre in Houston, Texas, in front of a hushed live audience.
The man who had already dislocated his neck twice and broken his heels five times, got a roaring applause from the audience after pulling off his stunt.
'That was one of the most incredible things I have seen in all my life. Are you ok?' Piers asked.
Wild: First cab off the rank in the Texas auditions was the The Rhinestone Ropers, a wild west act involving a death-defying combination of guns and knives
Death-defying: Dan threw knives at his assistant Melody, while she span on a wheel, narrowly missing the cowboy clad brunette
'I have never seen anything like this, I think it was incredible.' said Sharon Osbourne.
All three judges also sent him through to Las Vegas.
First cab off the rank in the Texas auditions was the The Rhinestone Ropers, a wild west act involving a death-defying combination of guns and knives.
Dan threw knives at his assistant Melody, while she span on a wheel, narrowly missing the cowboy clad brunette.
The risky performance drew cheers and a standing ovation from the crowd.
Eccentric: Piano player and singer Daniel Joseph Baker thought of himself as the next Lady Gaga, performing the eccentric singer's hit, Bad Romance
'How many partners have you gone too, ' joked Howie. 'You bring a whole array of entertainment I have never seen on America's Got Talent.'
'I love it because it is traditional old American entertainment.' said Sharon. The duo also went through to the next round.
Next up was piano player and singer Daniel Joseph Baker, who thought of himself as the next Lady Gaga, performing the eccentric singer's hit, Bad Romance.
With characteristic flair and an incredible voice range, he impressed the judges, giving him another chance to make to impress in Sin City.
'That performance was just great fun... you have a great personality and I think I love you,' Sharon said.
'You have a lot of fierceness,' Howie said. 'But keeps your arm to your side,' referring to his nervous sweat.
Flexible: Twisting and twirling their way to Vegas was the Sandou Trio Russian Bar
'You are a strange one Daniel...you are going to polarise audiences, but you are not everybody cup of tea,' said Piers. 'But I quite liked it.'
Twisting and twirling their way to Vegas was the Sandou Trio Russian Bar.
Gymnast Cassie drew gasps from the audience with a dangerous series of backflips, twists and somersaults, all whilst landing and balancing on a raised bar.
'I can't wait to see what you have in your back pocket for later on.' Sharon said.
Adorable: Six-year-old Tanner, otherwise known as Lil T, booty-shaked his way to The Black Eyed Peas dance anthem Boom Boom Pow
'I could see this in Vegas and I think in terms of danger level,' said Piers. 'I think it was the most high-risk act that we have had on America's Got Talent.'
Adorable six-year-old Tanner, otherwise known as Lil T had the audience and the crowd melting before his performance, as he talked about his 'girlfriend' Abbie.
Booty-shaking his way to The Black Eyed Peas dance anthem Boom Boom Pow, the little one perfected moves like The Robot and The Worm, making his performance a sure-fire guarantee for a trip to Vegas.
Tweet, tweet: Over in Minneapolis, a bird act was first up with parrot Echo helping his handler get through to the next round
'I think you have amazing moves, for a boy of six doing that onstage,' said Piers. 'You are quite the cutest thing we have seen this year,' said Sharon.
Once again some scantily clad ladies got Piers Morgan temperature rising.
This time a troupe of cheerleader-esque dancers by the name of The Perfect Angels emerged in skimpy white bikinis to do the splits, much to the delight of the 45-year-old judge.
Following the performance Piers couldn't resist an opportunity to flirt.
'Ladies, how are you?' he asked with a sly grin. 'That was sexy, it was fun, I am going to say yes.'
Of course, the troupe were ushered through.
Tragedy into triumph: Tears welled up in the audiences eyes as Opera singer Lys Agnes took to the stage performing Ave Maria
Over in chilly Minneapolis, the entertainment didn't stop.
The auditions saw Piers turn up 18 hours late because of snow, leaving Howie and Sharon to judge the first few on their own.
Yet another bird act was first up, with parrot Echo helping his handler get through to the next round.
Tears welled up in audience members eyes as Lys Agnes took to the stage.
The female performer had lost her fiancé in a car accident, and following the tragedy she thought she could never sing again.
Scantily clad: Viva La Muerte, a midget stripper got through to the next round
But her rendition of Ave Maria proved her wrong as the operatic notes wowed both the judges and the audience, getting her through to the next round.
The Silhouettes added another dimension to the night, with their original and abstract performance.
The group of dancers aged nine to 18, danced behind a backlit screen appearing as silhouettes.
Sharon called the performance 'intoxicating' and Piers thought it was 'brilliant'.
Acts that weren't so lucky included an off-key R&B act Status B.L.A.K. impersonator Johnny Di Domenico, burlesque dancer Miss Cherries Jubalie and folk musician Walt Winston.
Raw talent: The Silhouettes added another dimension to the night with their original and abstract performance
Beautiful: The group of dancers ranging in aged nine to 18, danced behind a backlit screen appearing as silhouettes
Hopefuls: Teenage group Poplyfe took to the stage in scenes on aired last night on America's Got Talent in a bid to make it through to the Las Vegas round
Piers Morgan reduced a teenage girl to tears on America's Got Talent last night.
The former Fleet Street newspaper editor told the lead singer of Poplyfe that he was impressed with her vocal.
But he gave her a cruel ultimatum saying he would only put her through if she ditched her five other bandmates.
Mr Nasty: But Morgan told the lead singer she should dump her other five bandmates - otherwise he would give his vote
Saving the day: But fellow judges Sharon Osbourne an Howie Mandel came through and put the entire group through to the next round
Sticking to her guns, the girl, whose name was not revealed on the show, said: 'I cannot go without my brothers.'
Luckily for her, fellow judges Sharon Osbourne and Howie Mandel gave her and the rest of the band the thumbs up and put them through to the next round in Las Vegas.
But Piers said to them: 'Judging you as a group, I'm going to say no.'
The six-piece band, who are aged between 12 and 16 and who performed Travie McCoy's track Billionaire, were delighted with the final result after being saved by Howie and Sharon.
Introductions: The band is made up of members aged between 12 and 16
Acoustic set: They performed a version of Travie McCoy's track Billionaire
As they exited the stage, the lead singer triumphantly shouted at Piers: 'We will show you.'
But it appeared the stress of the audition was a little too much to take.
Moments later she dissolved into tears backstage when host Nick Cannon asked her why she was so emotional.
With tears in her eyes, she replied: 'Because I thought I was going to have to leave them.'
Last night's show kicked off with a hilarious skit by celebrity impressionist Melissa Villasenor.
Impressive: Kenyan acrobatic group Zuma Zuma got the thumbs up as they made a human pyramid
She earned laughs with her interpretations of Barbara Walters, Miley Cyrus, Kathy Griffin, Christina Aguilera and Natalie Portman.
Afterwards Sharon told the shop worker: 'You won't be working in retail much longer.' Melissa received three yes votes from the judges.
Next up was the A+C Twins, who failed to impress with their rendition of My Girl.
Wow: Anita McCoy did the splits to the surprise of the judging panel
Oh dear: The A+C Twins failed to impress despite comparing themselves to The Jacksons, seen here with judge Howie attempting to help them out
Howie even joined them on stage for a verse, but the twosome were sent packing after Sharon told them they couldn't sing.
An acrobatic group from Kenya called Zuma Zuma caught the attention of the judges as the put on a high-energy routine that saw them build a human pyramid. They secured the approval of all of the judges and made it to the next round.
But 33-year-old showman Mauricio Herrera was another flop in a night of weird and wonderful acts.
He performed Ricky Martin's Livin La Vida Loca, with Piers buzzing him out from the off before branding it 'horrendous'.
Other acts who made it through to Vegas included acrobatic couple The Daring Jones Duo, eight-year-old swing singer Sadie and The Elektrolytes, a hip-hop dance group.
How cute: Swing singer Sadie was a big hit with her very impressive voice
You're out: Mauricio Herrera failed to serve up the good with his rendition of Ricky Martin's Living La Vida Loca, leaving Piers with his head in his hands
Hopefuls: Teenage group Poplyfe took to the stage in scenes on aired last night on America's Got Talent in a bid to make it through to the Las Vegas round
Piers Morgan reduced a teenage girl to tears on America's Got Talent last night.
The former Fleet Street newspaper editor told the lead singer of Poplyfe that he was impressed with her vocal.
But he gave her a cruel ultimatum saying he would only put her through if she ditched her five other bandmates.
Mr Nasty: But Morgan told the lead singer she should dump her other five bandmates - otherwise he would give his vote
Saving the day: But fellow judges Sharon Osbourne an Howie Mandel came through and put the entire group through to the next round
Sticking to her guns, the girl, whose name was not revealed on the show, said: 'I cannot go without my brothers.'
Luckily for her, fellow judges Sharon Osbourne and Howie Mandel gave her and the rest of the band the thumbs up and put them through to the next round in Las Vegas.
But Piers said to them: 'Judging you as a group, I'm going to say no.'
The six-piece band, who are aged between 12 and 16 and who performed Travie McCoy's track Billionaire, were delighted with the final result after being saved by Howie and Sharon.
Introductions: The band is made up of members aged between 12 and 16
Acoustic set: They performed a version of Travie McCoy's track Billionaire
As they exited the stage, the lead singer triumphantly shouted at Piers: 'We will show you.'
But it appeared the stress of the audition was a little too much to take.
Moments later she dissolved into tears backstage when host Nick Cannon asked her why she was so emotional.
With tears in her eyes, she replied: 'Because I thought I was going to have to leave them.'
Last night's show kicked off with a hilarious skit by celebrity impressionist Melissa Villasenor.
Impressive: Kenyan acrobatic group Zuma Zuma got the thumbs up as they made a human pyramid
She earned laughs with her interpretations of Barbara Walters, Miley Cyrus, Kathy Griffin, Christina Aguilera and Natalie Portman.
Afterwards Sharon told the shop worker: 'You won't be working in retail much longer.' Melissa received three yes votes from the judges.
Next up was the A+C Twins, who failed to impress with their rendition of My Girl.
Wow: Anita McCoy did the splits to the surprise of the judging panel
Oh dear: The A+C Twins failed to impress despite comparing themselves to The Jacksons, seen here with judge Howie attempting to help them out
Howie even joined them on stage for a verse, but the twosome were sent packing after Sharon told them they couldn't sing.
An acrobatic group from Kenya called Zuma Zuma caught the attention of the judges as the put on a high-energy routine that saw them build a human pyramid. They secured the approval of all of the judges and made it to the next round.
But 33-year-old showman Mauricio Herrera was another flop in a night of weird and wonderful acts.
He performed Ricky Martin's Livin La Vida Loca, with Piers buzzing him out from the off before branding it 'horrendous'.
Other acts who made it through to Vegas included acrobatic couple The Daring Jones Duo, eight-year-old swing singer Sadie and The Elektrolytes, a hip-hop dance group.
How cute: Swing singer Sadie was a big hit with her very impressive voice
You're out: Mauricio Herrera failed to serve up the good with his rendition of Ricky Martin's Living La Vida Loca, leaving Piers with his head in his hands
Hopefuls: Teenage group Poplyfe took to the stage in scenes on aired last night on America's Got Talent in a bid to make it through to the Las Vegas round
Piers Morgan reduced a teenage girl to tears on America's Got Talent last night.
The former Fleet Street newspaper editor told the lead singer of Poplyfe that he was impressed with her vocal.
But he gave her a cruel ultimatum saying he would only put her through if she ditched her five other bandmates.
Mr Nasty: But Morgan told the lead singer she should dump her other five bandmates - otherwise he would give his vote
Saving the day: But fellow judges Sharon Osbourne an Howie Mandel came through and put the entire group through to the next round
Sticking to her guns, the girl, whose name was not revealed on the show, said: 'I cannot go without my brothers.'
Luckily for her, fellow judges Sharon Osbourne and Howie Mandel gave her and the rest of the band the thumbs up and put them through to the next round in Las Vegas.
But Piers said to them: 'Judging you as a group, I'm going to say no.'
The six-piece band, who are aged between 12 and 16 and who performed Travie McCoy's track Billionaire, were delighted with the final result after being saved by Howie and Sharon.
Introductions: The band is made up of members aged between 12 and 16
Acoustic set: They performed a version of Travie McCoy's track Billionaire
As they exited the stage, the lead singer triumphantly shouted at Piers: 'We will show you.'
But it appeared the stress of the audition was a little too much to take.
Moments later she dissolved into tears backstage when host Nick Cannon asked her why she was so emotional.
With tears in her eyes, she replied: 'Because I thought I was going to have to leave them.'
Last night's show kicked off with a hilarious skit by celebrity impressionist Melissa Villasenor.
Impressive: Kenyan acrobatic group Zuma Zuma got the thumbs up as they made a human pyramid
She earned laughs with her interpretations of Barbara Walters, Miley Cyrus, Kathy Griffin, Christina Aguilera and Natalie Portman.
Afterwards Sharon told the shop worker: 'You won't be working in retail much longer.' Melissa received three yes votes from the judges.
Next up was the A+C Twins, who failed to impress with their rendition of My Girl.
Wow: Anita McCoy did the splits to the surprise of the judging panel
Oh dear: The A+C Twins failed to impress despite comparing themselves to The Jacksons, seen here with judge Howie attempting to help them out
Howie even joined them on stage for a verse, but the twosome were sent packing after Sharon told them they couldn't sing.
An acrobatic group from Kenya called Zuma Zuma caught the attention of the judges as the put on a high-energy routine that saw them build a human pyramid. They secured the approval of all of the judges and made it to the next round.
But 33-year-old showman Mauricio Herrera was another flop in a night of weird and wonderful acts.
He performed Ricky Martin's Livin La Vida Loca, with Piers buzzing him out from the off before branding it 'horrendous'.
Other acts who made it through to Vegas included acrobatic couple The Daring Jones Duo, eight-year-old swing singer Sadie and The Elektrolytes, a hip-hop dance group.
How cute: Swing singer Sadie was a big hit with her very impressive voice
You're out: Mauricio Herrera failed to serve up the good with his rendition of Ricky Martin's Living La Vida Loca, leaving Piers with his head in his hands