Cheryl Cole sues American X Factor for £1.4million after being unceremoniously dumped
Monday 10 December 2012
Cheryl Cole is suing the makers of X Factor US for £1.4million after Simon Cowell unceremoniously dumped her after just three weeks.
The Say My Name singer was furious when Simon Cowell decided to get rid of her before the show even aired, and has now lodged a claim in Los Angeles Superior Court claiming a clause in her contract entitles her to the money she was promised doe the show’s second series as well as a list of perks.
The 11-page lawsuit filed on Friday says she was paid her £1.1 million salary for season one but that the producers still owe her £1.25 million for the show’s second season plus a £62,000 wardrobe allowance, a £15,500 stylist allowance, a £9,300-a-month living allowance and £1,550-a-month living expenses.
A legal source said last night that the case would be a real blow for Cowell: ‘This has sent shockwaves through Hollywood. It could be disastrous for Simon because he has publicly taken responsibility for firing Cheryl. He will almost certainly be deposed.
Cheryl was a hugely popular judge on UK X Factor and Simon was hoping her magic formula would work in the US
‘And Cheryl could face huge legal fees if the case goes against her. She’s taking a big gamble because she was paid her full salary for season one, even though she only worked for a matter of weeks.
‘It could be perceived that she was handsomely rewarded for her work.’
Cheryl was hired in April 2011 but was sensationally sacked in May, amid claims the US audience struggled with her Geordie accent. US X Factor bosses also apparently demanded immediate changes with the show after chemistry between the judges, who included Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and record boss LA Reid, was weak.
In her autobiography, Cheryl criticised Simon for not sacking her face-to-face, but leaving it to executives from the Fox network, which screens the show.
She wrote: ‘Simon didn’t even have the guts to phone or send a message warning me what was coming. I was furious. . . I believed we had a good friendship and I couldn’t understand why he hadn’t been straight with me.’
Cheryl was furious at Simon for firing her after just three weeks
She also admitted that she texted the music mogul saying: ‘I hate you. I understand you’re a businessman and what I’ve learned from this is that business means more to you than our friendship.’
And a source close to Simon said: ‘This is a bolt from the blue. Simon thought he’d patched things up with Cheryl. But now she’s attacking when the show is weak.
‘She’s kicking him when he’s down.’
When asked about the lawsuit, Cheryl said: ‘It’s got nothing to do with me or Simon. The lawyers can deal with whatever is going on.’
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