Simon Cowell Confirms Paula Abdul Is on ‘X-Factor’ Judges Shortlist

Simon Cowell has confirmed that former American Idol judge Paula Abdul is on the shortlist of judges for his upcoming Fox show The X-Factor.

"We've taken it down to a smaller group of people and she's in that panel," he tells Access Hollywood. "But, you know, it's more than me who makes the decision."   He said George Michael, former Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger and Mariah Carey also are being considered.   He denied that Katy Perry and Elton John are in the running. Of John, Cowell said: "Well, he's so grumpy nowadays, I mean, it would be like, he'd just be moaning the whole time."   He did not mention Jessica Simpson, who is rumored to be up for a spot.   But he said he met with two new candidates recently, including "somebody who I've never met before in my life, who I just loved. And that's why it's good to kind of delay the process. It's not about necessarily the TV show per se, it's people. You genuinely gotta trust that they're gonna be able to do the job you're paying them to do. And like I said, a hit-maker who worked in America and has had experience, I think is crucial to this panel as well."