Friday, 27 May 2011

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Now Says

Justine Harkness, Acting News Editor

Is America missing Cheryl Cole already?

Looks like Simon Cowell was a bit premature in sacking her - she was starting to win the yanks over!

The clash, er, calm before the storm for Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole

Ever since news of Cheryl Cole's shock chop from the US 'Axe Factor', the word ‘humiliated' has been typed by thousands of journalists worldwide over and over again.

And while it appears the 27-year-old singer has been royally stitched up and Britain is ready to declare war on America and brand Simon Cowell a traitor for shafting the nation's sweetheart, Cheryl can rest assured there is still hope for her American dream.

The response from the US public has been mixed, to say the least, but it seems she was already winning fans across the pond - and one comment from an American punter online did get me thinking.

There's no doubt she's been treated very unfairly - and my best Cheryl tipster informs me Paula Abdul was at the heart of her demise - but to use such a lame reason as her accent as reason to lob her head off smells like a grand old pile of bullshit.

Are Simon and the entire Fox network so stupid that they'd hire someone without screen-testing them? Are they trying to tell us they didn't bother to hear her speak before offering her the job?

Come on, how thick do you think we are? Even worse, how thick do they think the American public is?

One Stars & Stripes punter wrote about Cheryl's eviction on Perez Hilton's site: ‘Wow, that was close... Americans almost had to face the fact that some people don't speak like they do.'

Now I'm not going to start bashing America over a woman who is known for dishing out bashings of her own, but it seems there were a lot of locals who were really looking forward to seeing cute-as-pie fashion fright Cheryl take on the might of Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell, with one saying:

‘Now, it's just has-beens and record executives again. I think losing Cole will affect this show more than they know... There were people like me who were looking forward to watching her become a household name in this country.

And now, I have literally no interest in this. Trying to re-brand American Idol for younger audiences. That's all this is now. Oh, and groups are allowed. Okay. Cool. Who cares. [Rival show] The Voice is where it's at.'

So don't despair, Chezza. You should listen to your new manager Will.i.am - you could still make it over there if you tried. Show those Fox bores what you're really made of, luv.

SEE PICTURES The photos of Paul Abdul and Cheryl Cole Simon Cowell didn't want you to see>>

SEE PICTURES Cheryl and Ashley Cole: The story so far>>

FASHION GALLERY SPECIAL Cheryl Cole's fashion history - the highs and the lows>>