Mel B reveals how Simon Cowell ‘betrayed’ her on The X Factor before brutal axing
Mel B has revealed how Simon Cowell betrayed her when the pair were judges on The X Factor.
The Spice Girl was on the judging panel on the ITV talent show in 2014.
Mel was joined for the 11th series by Simon, Cheryl and Louis Walsh, but was replaced by Tulisa for the final on doctor’s orders.
Simon then wielded the axe to shake up the show for the following series, bringing in Rita Ora and Nick Grimshaw as judges, with Caroline Flack and Olly Murs taking over hosting duties from Dermot O’Leary.
Mel did return on the 13th series, but only as a guest judge.
The 2014 show was won by Ben Haenow, with Strictly Come Dancing star Fleur East finishing as runner-up.
But in an exclusive interview with The Sun’s TV Mag, Mel has told how boss Simon would use the fact that it was his show to his advantage.
She says: “When I’ve worked with him, in the audition process – which is pre-taped – he’ll stop right after I’ve spoken, then [he’ll] use [my] words!
“I’m like: ‘No, you can’t do that, I said it first!’ and he goes: ‘Well, it’s my show.’
“I won’t be having any of it [laughs].”
Mel was talking exclusively to TV Mag ahead of the launch of her latest talent show, Queen Of The Universe.
She’s a judge on the global drag-singing competition alongside RuPaul’s Drag Race star Michelle Visage, singer and actress Vanessa Williams and US drag queen Trixie Mattel.
Graham Norton hosts the second series, which begins on streaming service Paramount+ on Saturday June 3.
Mel has also been a judge on Simon’s other shows, including America’s Got Talent, America’s Got Talent: The Champions and The X Factor: Australia.
When TV Mag asked if she’d been approached to replace David Walliams on Britain’s Got Talent before Bruno Tonioli was offered the job, she’s non-committal.
She says: “Oh, I can’t discuss [that].
“But I really enjoy what I do, and I enjoyed working with Simon and on his shows.”
Queen Of The Universe launches on Paramount+ on Saturday June 3. TV Mag is free inside The Sun every Saturday.