Cheryl Cole puts on her big hair for a big new job... but fellow X Factor judge LA Reid admits he's never heard her music
By Natalie Trombetta and Chris Johnson in Los Angeles
Last updated at 9:07 AM on 9th May 2011
Perhaps too many Dynasty re-runs have left Cheryl Cole thinking that this is how everyone wears their hair in America.
Whatever the reason her huge bouffant 'do' certainly made an impact as she arrived for the first day of filming the U.S. X Factor.
But while she may have worked hard on her 'look', as an unknown in the States Cheryl is fast finding she will have to work hard to prove herself.
Legendary music producer LA Reid told MailOnline he hadn't even met Cheryl. And when asked what he thought of Simon Cowell's choice he replied: 'I don't know man. I've never listened to her music.'
Hello America: Cheryl Cole shows off her huge bouffant, which she described as 'crazy wild hair', as she arrives for the first day of the U.S. X Factor auditions in Los Angeles today
Who is she again? Cole's fellow judge LA Reid admitted he had never heard her music
Reid was speaking as fans gathered to cheer the judges at the University Of Southern California in Los Angeles, where the first day of auditions was taking place.
The start of filming was delayed as fourth judge Paula Abdul hammered out the final details of her contract, signing on the dotted line with moments to spare.
The 48-year-old kept Cole, Reid and Cowell waiting on the first day of live auditions as she deliberated, but finally signed at 11am local time.
Cole was the second judge to arrive, flaunting her slender figure in an eye-catching pair of purple Diane von Furstenberg trousers and an Oscar de la Renta top, teamed with a turquoise belt.
She laughingly described her over-the-top hairdo as 'crazy wild hair'.
When asked how she felt about the fact Reid had never heard of her, or her music, the 27-year-old singer wasn't annoyed.
New girl on the block: Cole was lapping up the attention as she arrived for her first day of filming
'I quite like it, it means I feel really challenged,' she said. 'I have so much respect for LA Reid. I've always admired him, so it's great for me.
'It's one of those moments where you don't know what to say or how to feel.'
Cole, the show's British judge, arrived in Los Angeles earlier this week, ahead of the taping.
Following months of speculation she was only recently confirmed as a judge on the new U.S. version of the hit British reality series.
But her recruitment has led to accusations that the show is too British, with some worried the American audience won't understand Cole's strong regional accent.
But Cole laughed off the criticism, saying: 'I'm hoping people are going to embrace it.
'I'm not worried (about my accent). It's going to be interesting. I hear a lot of accents here too.'
But she conceded: 'I'm sure there will be words or phases where people are like, excuse me?'
Camera ready: The American media were eager to get a glimpse of the new judge
Meeting her fans: Cole might still be a relative unknown in the U.S., but a huge crowd cheered her as she climbed out of her limousine
Asked if she would adjust or change her voice, she replied emphatically: 'Never! I would be crucified where I'm from if I tried to change my accent.'
Cowel also gave a hint that she might be planning on staying in the U.S. long-term, saying 'watch this space'.
If she does stay she admitted she'll miss the comforts of home, not least her favourite TV shows.
'I'm a real soap girl, I love my British soaps,' she said.
After her last-minute negotiations earlier in the day, Abdul finally arrived for filming three hours later than planned.
She refused to comment on her late signing of the deal, saying only: 'I'm here'.
Wearing an Yves St Laurent outfit Abdul gave Cole a more positive reception, saying she was looking forward to working with her.
'I'm excited I get to meet her, I've heard such lovely things about her.'
THE FULL JUDGING LINE-UP FOR X FACTOR USA
Rivals: Both Paula Abdul will take the coveted spot next to head judge Simon Cowell, and away from Cheryl
She was more familiar than Reid with Cole's music, citing Parachute as her favourite song.
Although she did struggle with the name of Cole's other song, calling it Fight rather than Fight For This Love.
Asked if she wanted to sit next to Cowell on the panel, the American Idol alumni said: 'I don't think I have a choice.'
Cowell arrived in a Rolls-Royce Phantom as she was talking to the press, and the pair hugged for the cameras.
Head honcho: Cowell arrived in a Rolls-Royce Phantom to start the ball rolling on his high-risk talent show
Asked how Cole will be received in America he said: 'She's nervous and so she should be.
'But when I came out here for the first time nobody knew who I was. I just said I'll do the job I'm being paid to do and hope it works.'
And Cowell predicted a rivalry between the two female members of the panel. He said: 'You put pretty girls together it's like three cats in a sack, isn't it. And it needs a bit of a shake.'
Perhaps he plans to encourage a headline-grabbing rivalry.
He told MailOnline that Cole would no longer sit at his side, as she had in the UK show.
Instead Abdul will get the prime spot because Cowell says it 'feels right'. Of course, that may change if Cole proves more popular - Cowell said they may change the seating as the competition rolls on.
Inside, the packed auditorium was bristling with anticipation as the audience waited for the show to begin.
Co-presenters Welshman Steve Jones, 34, and Nicole Scherzinger, 32, were first to take to the stage.
While former Pussycat Doll Scherzinger didn't need much introduction, British export Jones certainly did.
'Steve who,' said one audience member as the Welsh T4 presenter's name was announced. Jones was, of course, fully aware of his non-celebrity status in the States.
'You're probably wondering who the hell I am,' he modestly said to the crowd, before introducing himself: 'I'm Steve Jones. I'm new to LA. I moved here two days ago.'
The pair then went backstage, armed to interview the contestants after their auditions and, for many, after their dreams of stardom had been crushed.
Cole was the first judge to step onto the stage, followed by LA Reid, Abdul and then Cowell himself.
A few words were said by each judge to the audience.
Tough-talking Reid promised to be 'brutally honest, Abdul said it was 'such a pleasure to be here' while Cole was 'absolutely thrilled'.
The Girls Aloud singer even joked: 'You might have to bear with me on the accent,' before adding, a little nervously: 'I hope you are all looking forward to getting to know me.'
But Cole proved to be a hit with the audience. She was a little mute at first, but it didn't take long for her spirit to shine through.
At one point she even remonstrated with Reid after he said no to a contestant, persuading him to give her another chance.
Touchy feely: The duo were very affectionate while they posed for the cameras, looking excited to be working together again
There were times when you could see that her distance from Cowell was, perhaps, a little unsettling for her as she shuffled nervously in her seat.
However, a chant of 'we love you Cheryl' from the crowd appeared to give her the assurance she needed.
True to form, Cowell drew laughs and gasps from the auditorium with his withering put downs - Mr Nasty was on form.
'Your outfit looks like it's from a dressing up box,' he told one group of young teens. 'Did your mother pick your outfits?'
'You're the type of person who should be singing at home,' he told another act. In the meantime, the UK version is having trouble finding a new panel with Cowell and Cole gone.
Gary Barlow is the only confirmed judge in Britain, with questions marks still hanging over Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh