Simon Cowell lines up Tommy Mottola for X Factor USA
|  | | Simon Cowell and Tommy Mottola | | Simon Cowell is lining up legendary American record executive Tommy Mottola to star on the US X Factor, the Daily Mail can reveal. The two music titans wined and dined at swanky Hollywood restaurant Cecconi's last night and beamed as they left. A Fox source said: "Simon and Tommy have known each other for years since their days at Sony and Simon has wanted to get Tommy on board one of his shows for a long time. They get on extremely well and this could be the moment where they finally get on screen together. Tommy's from the Bronx in New York, he's tough talking, doesn't pull any punches and will make great TV."
However, if Mr Mottola - the former boss of Sony Music - takes the role, it could scupper an appearance by Mariah Carey, his ex-wife. Heavily pregnant Miss Carey, who is expecting twins next month with her husband Nick Cannon, had made clear her interest in joining Cowell, 51, on the judging panel of the new talent TV show - and was certainly a name on Fox executives' wish list. But it could be said that it may not be possible for the ex-couple to appear together.
Mr Mottola, 61, is one of the most high-profile record executives in the industry and throughout his 15-year tenure at Sony was responsible for launching Miss Carey's career as well as discovering Jennifer Lopez. Ironically, Miss Lopez, 41, is now a judge on American Idol after Cowell quit the show to launch the X Factor in the States. Mr Mottola is now the co-owner of Casablanca Records in a joint venture with the Universal Music Group. His other famous protégés include Carly Simon, John Mellencamp, Hall & Oates, Gloria Estefan and Jessica Simpson.
Meanwhile, Cheryl Cole is still very much in the frame to join Cowell on the American X Factor in the autumn - despite the fact that some Fox executives are believed to be less than keen after audience focus groups showed that she was not that popular. Auditions for the American X Factor will not even start until May - where producers will whittle down contestants - with judges coming on set shortly afterwards.
And there is still a month before Cowell will make an official announcement about who will join him on the show. The 27-year-old star is currently in Los Angeles - but, contrary to reports, she has not met Fox chiefs and there are no plans for her to. Instead, she is recording music. Former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger is slated to take over from Mrs Cole on the UK X Factor.
And the Fox insider added: "Cheryl was a shoo-in up until a few weeks ago when Simon appeared in the Superbowl advert that was watched by billions. It was the first taster of the X Factor America and since then big names have been coming forward, which means that everyone is now taking their time about making decisions - they don't want a celebrity just for the sake of it. Most importantly, there has to be the right chemistry on the panel. Names like Naomi Campbell are absolute rubbish. We have six to eight weeks before filming and it has to be right.
Mrs Cole's record bosses are already making plans to launch her in the States with a makeover and the source said: "Cheryl has some very senior Fox people in her corner. And Simon, of course." An X Factor spokeswoman refused to comment. (Mail Online)
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