Celebrity News & Gossip

Every time Simon Cowell’s American Idol contract comes up, we still marvel at the figures. Today, we’re marveling at the amount of money he actually turned down in order to depart the famous show. Reports that surfaced today have hinted that Cowell was offered an additional $100 million to stay with the franchise, but he opted out in order to work on his X-Factor series instead.

In other X-Factor news, there’s been a lot of chatter about what other music powerhouses Cowell will convince to join him on the show. Rumor has it Cowell has been considering Cheryl Cole, his UK co-judge, to join him for the U.S. version of the show. He’s also been considering Tommy Mottola - the head of Sony music and former Mr. Mariah Carey - to be a judge as well. And then of course there’s the rumor that he plans to bring Paula Abdul on board ever since Cowell was recently quoted as saying “It was always my intention in one way or another to carry on working with her.” The more we hear about this series’ progress, the more excited we’re getting. We wonder if Idol and X-Factor can co-exist peacefully, or if this will be the beginning of the end of Ryan Seacrest and Co.  [Photo: Getty Images]

Fergie Ferg’s had a rough old time dealing with reports that hubby Josh Duhamel was enjoying his “extra meat” with stripper Nicole Forrester. But soon after stepping out on their “everything’s fine, people” dinner date in Atlanta , Fergie’s been over in the UK this weekend keeping the show going with the Black Eyed Peas.

Super-fit Ferg firstly performed at the BBC Switch concert in London, looking sexy in all black. The group then dashed across town to sing at the “X-Factor,” where Fergie had to borrow Cheryl Cole’s shoes for her performance , despite being a size bigger than the tiny star. What a trooper! [Photo: WENN]

Over in the UK, we couldn’t love Cheryl Cole anymore than we currently do - the “X-Factor” judge and all-round superstar has just hit a double number one with her first solo efforts. Chezza’s single “Fight For This Love” is already the fastest-selling song of 2009 in Britain so far, and now she’s cemented that achievement with her new album “3 Words” hitting the top spot at the same time.

Surely everything is so perfect in the garden at the moment, nothing could spoil this? Apart from - according to the papers - the antics of her soccer-playing husband Ashley Cole, who refused to attend a celebratory party she’d planned for her successes. Supportive! [Photo: Getty Images]

$800k, to be precise. Cheryl Cole has joined the roster of A-listers around the globe to sign up to a big deal with L’Oreal Paris. The “X-Factor” judge and all-round British style icon is going to lend her (extended) glossy tresses to promote Elvive hair products in the UK. “I have always loved the brand and have always wanted to say the iconic phrase: ‘Because you’re worth it,’ so to be given that opportunity is absolutely amazing,” she gushed.

This seems to be just the first step in Cheryl’s carefully stage-managed global domination, tying in with the return of the reality TV show on which she stars. Her solo music is due out in October - ready yourself, world! [Photo: FilmMagic]

Finally, a celebrity trend that anyone with a couple of dollars can emulate (if they really want to). Yes, unlike hair extensions, Birkin bags and expensive trips to rehab, some British ladies are rocking the home-dye look by changing their locks to a shade of purple-red usually seen on the side of a cheap home hair-dye kit.

First Cheryl Cole gave her glossy locks a dodgy color rinse, and now Peaches Geldof has followed suit. We actually think Peaches looks pretty good with the new shade - and we’re loving this new recession-era hair chic. [Photo: Splash News Online, WENN]

Rumors have been swirling that the timing of Paula Abdul’s “resignation” from American Idol and the appearance in L.A. of Britain’s X Factor host Cheryl Cole isn’t just a coincidence — and that Cheryl could be lined up to replace Paula on the hit show. But apparently, this is way off the mark, and the truth could be that fellow X Factor judge Dannii Minogue could indeed be the younger(ish) model replacing her.

“There have never been any plans for [Cheryl] to go on US TV … she only wants to focus on her music,” reports Metro, instead playing up Dannii’s “exciting” talks with the show producers.

If true, it would be a neat victory for the Aussie star, sister of Kylie, who’s had to face down unfavorable comparisons with Cheryl since last year. Alternatively, it could all be another massive publicity ruse for the show, and Paula will return regardless. And Simon Cowell will rub his hands in evil glee at yet more money-making PR for his shows. Sigh. [Photos: Splash News Online]

She’s already conquered TV and music in Britain, and now Cheryl Cole has landed on U.S. shores, and seems to be making just as good of an impression as she does in the UK. The Girls Aloud star and X-Factor judge is taking a break from filming to record some of her solo material in Los Angeles with Black Eyed Peas star Will.I.Am. Cheryl landed at LAX early yesterday wearing a thigh-skimming babydoll dress, and was reportedly surprised by the level of pap and fan attention at the airport.

Cheryl is also rumored to be in town to discuss starring in an American version of X-Factor as a judge, something which mentor Simon Cowell is said to be lining up for her - as long as she loses her Geordie accent. “He’s joked about her needing elocution lessons, but in all seriousness, it’s something she’ll have to consider,” reports Now magazine. Judging by the effort she made to look stunning after an 11-hour flight, we’d say the problems of a pesky regional accent wouldn’t be too much. [Photos: Splash News Online]

Officially. We Brits love eccentric outsiders, and hey, Courtney Love’s pretty much defined this. But it was still a leftfield decision that saw British Elle magazine name La Love their Woman Of The Year at the Elle Style Awards last night. It could have been Cheryl Cole, who’s transformed from pop star into national treasure. Nah, too obvious. It could have been Adele, Estelle or Duffy, for making it big internationally. Boring! It could have been Kate Winslet, for combining a stellar career, motherhood and supreme hotness. Dullsville! No, we would prefer to honor someone who’s spent the year scribbling incoherent blogs, flashing the paps wearing fashion roadkill and throwing her daughter a “Suicidal 16″ birthday party. Surely there’ve been better years for Courtney?

Never mind, she still rocks. And is it just us, or does she look a hell of a lot like Madonna at the ceremony in London last night? Freaksome. [Photo: Getty Images]