Simon Cowell has confessed he didn't recognise Cheryl Fernandez-Versini when she arrived in the US to film the US 'X Factor'.
Simon Cowell didn't recognise Cheryl Fernandez-Versini on 'The X Factor USA'The music mogul has opened up about his relationship with the 'Crazy Stupid Love' singer to reveal she just wasn't herself when she arrived in America to take on the role of a judge on the talent show following her success on the UK version of the programme.
Speaking about his decision to axe her from the show, he explained: "There was so much expectation on the show in America, and I definitely wasn't myself. I was uptight. When I saw her I didn't recognise her. Literally. The hair and the outfit were crazy. Just totally crazy."
The 54-year-old star thinks Cheryl's recent split from her then-husband Ashley Cole played a massive role in her lack of confidence.
Simon continued: "I asked her manager, 'What's she wearing, what's happened to her hair?' He was defensive about it. I haven't a clue why she turned up like that.
"We then did the first day of auditions, and she was nervous, shy, not in her comfort zone. She'd put on a bit of weight, but not loads.
"That wasn't the issue. The only way I can describe it is that it wasn't Cheryl sitting in that seat. She'd lost her confidence."
And despite previously claiming Cheryl - who is now married to French restaurateur Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini - just wasn't right for the US show, Simon's now confessed it was the programme itself that didn't work across the pond.
He told the Radio Times magazine: "There was something not quite right about that show in America."
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