Simon Cowell News

THE X FACTOR is expanding its audition process to reach more singers than any talent show ever before in its search to find the best new solo artists and vocal groups in America. In addition and new for Season Two, artists with pre-existing management contracts can now audition (subject to limited restrictions).

Icon, philanthropist, Oscar nominee and Emmy Award winner Oprah Winfrey will guest on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live: After the Academy Awards' Oscar Sunday, February 26. One of the most influential individuals in the world, Winfrey will join Kimmel for the very first time on Hollywood's biggest night of the year.

This week on AMERICAN IDOL, the 185 remaining contestants are to be whittled down with both group numbers and solo performances. As the groups prepare to perform, some singers oversleep while others are ill-prepared, some are just ill, and still more are fighting with their own group.

As first reported in the Hollywood Reporter, actor Henry Winkler will guest star in the role of Ava's (Maya Rudolph) father in the NBC comedy series UP ALL NIGHT.

The Golden Nugget, Las Vegas, will be the site of THE REEL AWARDS (21st Annual) on Monday, February 20, 2012. This annual spectacle, produced by International Celebrity Images, brings together the best celebrity impersonators from around the world. It's a surreal gathering of talent including red carpet arrivals to a show featuring music, dance, comedy, and an awards show like no other. This year's emcees are Joan Rivers clone, Dee Dee Hanson and Stephen Sorrentino, a musical comedian and master of improvisation with over 200 impressions.

AMERICAN IDOL producer Nigel Lythgoe revealed on his Twitter account that superstar Whitney Houston who died in her hotel room this past Saturday night, was in talks to serve as a mentor on this season's AMERICAN IDOL.

In an exclusive interview with Extra TV, the X FACTOR's Simon Cowell broke his silence for the first time regarding the recent firing of judges and host from the Fox singing competition.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, X FACTOR Judge L.A. Reid has officially signed a deal to return for season two of the Fox singing competition.

The New York Post reports that Simon Cowell has offered superstar Beyoncé Knowles a record-breaking $100 million to join the judge's panel on the next season of Fox's THE X FACTOR.

Now that there are some vacancies on the judge's panel for the Fox singing competition THE X FACTOR, celebrity gossip maven Perez Hilton has decided to put in a bid to fill one of the seats.

THE X FACTOR has finally confirmed the news that has been rumored for months, host Steve Jones and judge Nicole Scherzinger will not be returning to the show when it returns for its second season.

Simon Cowell's Syco Entertainment partner with Jada Pinkett-Smith and Will Smith's Overbrook Entertainment on the development and launch of a live, new international TV format to find the world's greatest DJs.

X FACTOR Season 1 contestant Astro has announced via his twitter account that he has just signed a record deal with Epic Records. Astro will join his mentor on the Fox singing competition, LA Reid at Epic Records along with the Season 1 winner, Melanie Amaro.

Thriller - Live, the spectacular concert show that celebrates Michael Jackson, is celebrating its 4th year in the West End.

Today, as a special corollary column to this weekend's extensive InDepth InterView with Tony-nominated stage and screen star Constantine Maroulis, we are shining a special spotlight on his career trajectory as he has risen up through the ranks to become one of the most successful alumni of AMERICAN IDOL from humble beginnings in the non-Equity tour of RENT. Since that landmark Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical, Constantine has carved out a unique niche in the Broadway landscape as one of most charismatic and compelling performers of rock-based musical theatre, who has also shown considerable skills tackling the more diverse scores of shows such as JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN PARIS, THE WEDDING SINGER, and, now, THE TOXIC AVENGER, co-composed by the Tony-winning team behind MEMPHIS comprised of Bon Jovi's David Bryan and Joe DiPietro. Of course, no Constantine-centric conversation would be complete without a thorough look at his unforgettable turn in the hit 80s rock jukebox musical ROCK OF AGES, the expanded film adaptation of which he will be taking to the big screen later this year. RENT to IDOL to TOXIC AVENGER and beyond, Constantine Maroulis is one of the brightest shining new Broadway stars of the 21st century and it will be a treat to see and hear TOXIC AVENGER as it sets its sights on the Great White Way.

On Friday, I had the enviable privilege of talking to ROCK OF AGES Tony Award nominee and AMERICAN IDOL star Constantine Maroulis all about the new musical he is starring in at the Alley Theater in Houston as it eyes Broadway, THE TOXIC AVENGER. In addition to discussing all aspects of the science fiction-themed musical spoof and its creators, David Bryan and Joe DiPietro - of MEMPHIS fame - Maroulis and I also take a look back at his career onstage thus far and his essaying of roles in RENT, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, THE WEDDING SINGER and JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN PARIS and ROCK OF AGES, as well as what we can expect from him in the future, near and far. Additionally, he shares his reflections on appearing on AMERICAN IDOL Season 4 and being mentored by fellow InDepth InterView participant Simon Cowell, as well as the immense impact that that entertainment entity, along with GLEE, has had on a whole new generation of theatregoers in the 21st century. Plus, Constantine clues us in to the exciting expansions that have been made to ROCK OF AGES for the forthcoming feature film version that he makes an appearance in, directed by HAIRSPRAY's Adam Shankman, and also shares his experiences recording the ASTEP benefit album A NEW YORK CITY CHRISTMAS, his new role as a dad and much, much more!

Epic Records announced yesterday that it has signed Melanie Amaro to a recording contract following her triumphant win on season one of Fox's THE X FACTOR. Her new home with Epic Records places her under the leadership of legendary music executive, Epic Records Chairman/CEO and The X Factor judge, Mr. Antonio 'L.A.' Reid.

According to the Hollywoodreporter.com, TV mogel Simon Cowell will be returning to the British talent competition 'Britain's Got Talent' in the Spring.

In a recent interview with the Hollywoodreporter.com, judge Simon Cowell revealed that X FACTOR contestants Astro, Josh Krajcik and Chris Rene may be receiving Sony Music record deals in addition to the season winner Melanie Amaro. As winner of Season 1 of the Fox singing competition, Amaro was guarenteed a $5 million recording contract with Sony.

In a recent interview with RadarOnline.com, X FACTOR judge Nicole Scherzinger hinted that she may not be returning to the Fox talent competition next year when it returns for a second season.