It's not the fashion factor! Simon Cowell and Nicole Scherzinger lock heads over Stacy Francis' racy red PVC dress... as judges concentrate on style rather than singing

By Jade Watkins

Last updated at 8:45 AM on 10th November 2011

Last night's X-Factor was movie night, where the contestants sang songs from iconic film soundtracks.

But rather than squabbling over their dramatic musical acts, the judges were at each others throats about their wardrobe choices.

Especially Simon Cowell and Nicole Scherzinger, who locked heads over Stacy Francis' racy red PVC dress.

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Fashion factor: X-Factor judges Simon Cowell and Nicole Scherzinger locked heads over Stacy Francis' racy red PVC dress last night

The under 30, who also revealed a brand new hairdo after cutting off her heavy fringe in favour of a waved style, stepped on stage in the sexy attire, which Simon deemed inappropriate.

'Stacy you looked cute, but I would have had you wearing that somewhere else,' he said.

'You have to convince America you are a $5 million recording contract.'

Racy: The 42-year-old slipped into the tight attire to perform 'Queen Of The Night' from The Bodyguard

At war: Simon thought the clothing was inappropriate while Nicole thought she 'shined from within'

Shooting her co-judge a look of disdain, Nicole immediately jumped to her defense, heaping praise on her act.

'Stacy I think that you look gorgeous and what is most important is that you shined from within tonight,' she said.

On a more musical note, the 42-year-old's song choice of 'Queen Of The Night' from the movie The Bodyguard, seemingly rubbed L.A. Reid the wrong way.

New look: The under 30 also revealed a brand new hairdo after cutting off her heavy fringe in favour of a waved style

Perhaps it was due to the fact that he co-wrote the diva ballad, which happened to receive a Golden Raspberry Award nomination for Worst Original Song after the film's released in the early nineties.

The famed record producer thought the song was a bad choice, even before she stepped onstage to sing it.

'Stacy I didn't want the song... but you did much better job than I thought you would,' he said.

Too cabaret? L.A. Reid's Marcus Canty also got lambasted for his dress sense by Simon, following his performance of Simon Rose Royce's 'I'm Going Down' from Car Wash

Panned attire: Simon said he was glad Marcus took off his jacket during the act, because the clothing looked 'too cabaret'

Calming: Of course L.A. opposed, making the 20-year-old singer feel better about himself by making fun of his own fashion choices

Agreeing she also didn't like the song choice, Paula Abdul, too, thought she did a good job.

'Stacy you delivered, you delivered in a big way,' she said.

L.A. Reid's Marcus Canty also got lambasted for his dress sense by Simon, following his performance of Simon Rose Royce's 'I'm Going Down' from Car Wash.

More criticism: Once again remarks about fashion selections overshadowed the judges comments about actual performances when Drew took to the stage

Song choice: Simon chose sentimental ballad, 'Fix You' by Coldplay from the film You, Me and Dupree for the 14-year-old

Paring down his rendition of the 1976 cult classic tune, which didn't feature the young lad's signature dance moves, he slipped on a sparkling silver tuxedo jacket.

'That was a thousand percent better than last week,' Simon said. 'My only issue is thank god you threw that jacket off. You looked like a cabaret singer up there.'

Of course L.A. opposed, making the 20-year-old singer feel better about himself by making fun of his own fashion choices.

Feuding: Paula and Simon were divided about the teen's grungy dress, which featured a silver bustier dress with vibrant puffball skirt, paired with her multi-coloured crimped hair

'You look great, you sound great,' he assured. 'You have better taste than some people who sit on the end of this desk...Not Simon. I'm talking about myself, actually.'

Nicole was, however, blown away by the whole package.

'Marcus, two words: Ma-gic. You were like a vision up there. You are a superstar my love,' she praised.

More on the music: LeRoy Bell finally took the focus off fashion as he performed U2's hit song 'I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For' from the film Runaway Bride

Simon chose sentimental ballad, 'Fix You' by Coldplay from the film You, Me and Dupree for 14-year-old Drew.

But once again remarks about fashion selections overshadowed the judges comments about the actual performance.

Paula and Simon were divided about the teen's grungy dress, which featured a silver bustier dress with vibrant puffball skirt, paired with her multicolored crimped hair.

'I am not giving you props for what you are wearing. That outfit took the seriousness away from the performance,' Paula said.

Cowgirls: Paula's girl group Lakoda Rayne performed Keith Urban's 'Somebody Like You' from How to Lose A Guy In 10 Days

When Simon revealed that Drew had designed the ensemble herself, Paula immediately felt bad, but said she was sticking to her comments.

Simon clearly objected and defended his contestant.

'This is why I love working with you Drew. You have the guts to design something that shows individuality,' he said.

LeRoy Bell finally took the focus off fashion as he performed U2's hit song 'I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For' from the film Runaway Bride.

Rap star: Astro gave a crowd-pleasing performance of 'Lose Yourself' by Eminem from the film 8 Mile

The crowd went wild for the 60-year-old's take on the rock ballad, which is known for it's gospel influence.

'This time, I think you got it right,' L.A. said.

'LeRoy I have been waiting for this performance. Nicole, well done,' Paula said, giving props to Bell's mentor.

Paula's girl group Lakoda Rayne performed Keith Urban's 'Somebody Like You' from How to Lose A Guy In 10 Days.

The quartet donned similar Western-style outfits for the melodic performance.

IImpressive: Nicole thought that Melanie Amaro made Michael Jackson proud with her rendition of 'Man In The Mirror' from his documentary, This Is It

Impressive: Nicole thought that Melanie Amaro made Michael Jackson proud with her rendition of 'Man In The Mirror' from his documentary, This Is It

'I grew up in Kentucky. So you know how popular I would be if I took y'all home with me. You have such good chemistry girls,' Nicole gushed following the act.

'After the absolute horror show last week... Now you are the group I always hope and prayed you would become,' Simon agreed.

L.A. got a ribbing from Simon for choosing 'Lose Yourself' from the film 8 Mile for his 15-year-old boy Astro.

'This is so irritating,' he said to his fellow judge. 'You're like the cat who's got the cream. You cleared an Eminem song.'

Divided: The judges were divided at final 'Group' Stereo Hoggz's rendition of Christina Aguilera's 'Ain't No Other Man' from Get Smart

But nonetheless he praised the teen's sensational performance: 'You are incredibly creative. I think that you are a good role model right now...Astro, you have the X Factor,' he said.

'I am just in awe of you right now. This is what separates the good from the great... You were a champion tonight,' Nicole added.

Nicole thought that Melanie Amaro made Michael Jackson proud with her rendition of 'Man In The Mirror' from his documentary, This Is It.

'I think she made Michael proud,' she praised.

'Music heals the world and your voice truly does that. Well done Melanie,' Paula agreed.

Powerful: Josh Krajcik's rendition of Joe Cocker's 'With a Little Help From Friends' brought down the house

The judges were divided at final 'Group' Stereo Hoggz's rendition of Christina Aguilera's 'Ain't No Other Man' from Get Smart.

'On the real. All I gotta say is bananas. That was favourite performance from you to date,' gushed Nicole.

Simon took the opportunity to take a swipe at Paula 'for making her group less current' and also at Nicole for her 'cheesy' remarks.

'That was really helpful advice there Nicole, 'bananas'. Really digging deep there,' he moaned, before telling the group: 'You have to become less cabaret and become recording artists.'

Josh Krajcik's rendition of Joe Cocker's 'With a Little Help From Friends', however, brought down the house.

Massive potential: Chris Rene's slightly altered rendition of Coolio's 'Gangster's Paradise' from Michelle Pfieffer's hit film Dangerous Minds, blew all the judges away

'One of my favourite voices, one of my favourite songs,' L.A. said.

And similarly Chris Rene's slightly altered rendition of Coolio's 'Gangster's Paradise' from Michelle Pfieffer's hit film Dangerous Minds, blew all the judges away.

Simon took the time to say how proud he was of the embattled former drug addict.

'All I can say is welcome back Chris Rene. I am very proud of the fact you have stuck to what you have done. I think you are a potential real star,' he said.

Rachel Crow took Simon down a notch when she revealed that she was the one that chose Etta James' classic 'I'd Rather Go Blind from Cadillac Records, starring Beyonce Knowles.

Soulstress; Rachel Crow chose to perform Etta James' classic 'I'd Rather Go Blind from the film Cadillac Records, herself

Great in green: The 13-year-old teen wore a green dress and purple heels for the performance

As Nicole began to praise Simon for his song choice, the 13-year-old interjected: 'I picked my song this week.'

She also stunned the crowd and the audience with her sensational voice, with Simon dubbing her a 'mini-Beyonce'.

'Wow Rachel. Up until now I wasn't sure that you were a true contender for the $5 prize, but now I know,' L.A. said.