Paula Abdul joins Simon Cowell's 'X Factor'

By Bill Keveney, USA TODAY

LOS ANGELES � The joyful reunion is official.

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  By Kevin Winter, Getty Images

  Paula Abdul will join the judges' table for Simon Cowell's X Factor this fall.

By Kevin Winter, Getty Images

Paula Abdul will join the judges' table for Simon Cowell's X Factor this fall.

Paula Abdul has joined the judging panel on ex-Idol companion Simon Cowell's new singing competition, The X Factor, this fall on Fox.

Right after Sunday's announcement, she took her seat at the taping of the first auditions before the full panel of judges ? Cowell, Abdul, music producer Antonio "L.A." Reid and British pop star Cheryl Cole? at USC's Galen Center. (X Factor's auditions, unlike American Idol's, are staged in front of a live and lively audience of fans.)

The revelation filled the X Factor lineup, which also includes Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger and British TV personality Steve Jones as hosts.

In a red-carpet reception outside the audition arena, Reid was asked what was going to make British import X Factor stand out in an increasingly crowded singing-competition field. "Simon Cowell," he said. "He's the X-factor."

Of course, that was before Abdul made her debut. "I am thrilled, I am exhilarated, I am terrified," she said of her reclaimed place beside Cowell. "When this show airs, it will have been three years since we sat next to each other. I really miss him. It's awkward and wonderful."

Indeed, in the taping, she did sit next to Cowell, who was at one end of the table, as Reid sat at the other end, with the women between.

So why did Cowell, who is executive producer as well as judge, bring her back on board? "Can you imagine if I didn't? I had that feeling, after all the speculation, all the TV ? here's my fourth judge, and it's not Paula? I could just sense the public would be disappointed," he said. "They see what we're like together. We get on really well. That kind of chemistry isn't always easy to replicate."

Abdul expects the panel to develop its own chemistry. "It's a brand-new adventure, a whole new journey, a different show. Anything goes. I'm sure with passionate people, things happen."

The big question: Will she and Simon be able to avoid bickering? "I don't know if that's possible."

But she does see one key difference from her Idol days: With a $5 million record contract at stake, she expects singers to deliver polish, not just promise. "To me, potential is wonderful if it's maybe 10% to 15% left to work on," she said.

Her nurturing nature might come in handy. Unlike on Idol, X Factor's judges also act as mentors to contestants, who compete first within categories arranged by age (ages 12 and up are welcome) and type of act (solo and groups).

Cole, who was a longtime judge on the top-rated British version of the show, said that "X Factor is going to be like nothing you've ever seen before. I promise you this. Expect the unexpected, because I have to, and I've been part of this for four years."

But even if everything else seems new, just don't expect a new Paula. "I am who I am," Abdul said. "I don't try to be or become anyone else. I am passionate, I get to do what I love to do. I've mentored and sought out talent for the past 20 years. I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be."

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