It seems the controversy surrounding last week’s “X Factor” elimination, which saw the not-so-shocking departure of the talented-but-moody Astro paired with the unexpected ouster of fan favorite Drew Ryniewicz, is far from over.
Judges Nicole Scherzinger, Paula Abdul and L.A. Reid all voted against saving Simon Cowell’s preferred singer, but Reid escaped Cowell’s anger simply because Ryniewicz was up against one of his mentees. The same can’t be said for the female panelists.
“I have no idea what (Paula) was thinking,” Cowell told OK magazine of Abdul’s decision. “I am upset with both of them to be honest. Not just because it was my artist. You’ve got to be fair about it.”
Cowell was in much the same mood when he later spoke to “Entertainment Tonight.”
When asked if there was any truth to the rumor that former Destiny’s Child member Kelly Rowland might soon replace Scherzinger, Cowell denied it, but added, “Now that you mention it, I think Kelly maybe, in poor ol' Nicole's position, would have been a better choice. No, but you know what, they're stuck to what they're paid to do, but I'm just not very happy."
But Cowell’s criticism is nothing compared to what some fans had to say about all of it. TMZ recently reported that both Adbul and Scherzinger were targets of post-show “death threats” in the form of anger-fueled Facebook posts and tweets, such as "@NicoleScherzy @paulaabdul go die."
Sources told TMZ the judges were “shocked” by such comments.
What do you think of all the drama over Drew's elimination? Should she still be in the competition, or did Paula and Nicole make the right call? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.
Related content: