She's got the X, Y and Z Factor! Nicole Scherzinger steals Simon Cowell's attention away from Paula Abdul in a sizzlingly short dress
By Chris Johnson
Last updated at 9:04 AM on 20th December 2011
Last week it was Paula Abdul who stole the spotlight in a daringly minuscule dress.
But Nicole Scherzinger was clearly not planning on getting upstaged again tonight as she slipped into her own eye-catching ensemble for an X Factor USA press conference in Los Angeles.
The 33-year-old talent judge looked stunning in the low-cut, zipped cream outfit - while Paula, 49, covered up in a similar-coloured trouser suit.
Lucky Simon: X Factor boss Simon poses for a photograph with fellow judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger at a press conference in Los Angeles tonight ahead of the U.S. show's season finale this week
Enamoured: The talent judge appeared to be particularly enamoured with Scherzinger's daring outfit
A certain Simon Cowell appeared to be quite enamoured by Ms Scherzinger as the pair cosied up for cameras.
In one amusing pose the 52-year-old X Factor boss is seen stood between Nicole and Paula, with his hands raised questioningly.
Cowell recently admitted that he almost bedded Abdul - but tonight he seemingly only had eyes for the stunning former Pussycat Doll.
Killer body: The singer showed of her toned legs and stunning figure in the short zipped outfit, which she teamed with peep-toe Christina Louboutin heels
Stealing back the spotlight: After being upstaged by Paula last week on the X Factor, Nicole appeared to know her efforts to woo had worked
Along with fourth judge LA Reid, the panel were on hand to chat at a press conference ahead of this week's season finale.
Ballad singer Melanie Amaro, 19, bluesy Josh Krajcik, 30, and rapper Chris Rene, 28, will sing for the X Factor prize on Wednesday.
Cowell said each finalist would sing a duet with a surprise superstar as part of Wednesday's competition.
She means business: Paula opted for a very similar colour scheme, but dressed in a pin-striped trouser suit
The winner will be chosen by public vote and announced after a two-hour finale on Thursday.
All three finalists are expected to get recording contracts, but only the winner will be assured of the $5 million deal.
Judge and record producer Reid said he was proud and happy of the singers who had made it to the final after four months of nationwide auditions and live shows.
In it to win it: X Factor USA finalists, from left Chris Rene, Melanie Amaro and Josh Krajcik
Songbird: Melanie wore an animal print outfit with black top, seen here posing with her mentor Simon
'They are all amazingly talented, unique in their own right (and) each one of them has a distinct competitive advantage,' Reid said.
'I think they represent us well. They look very modern, big on talent and loads of charisma, so I couldn't be happier.'
Meanwhile Cowell conceded he was over probably 'too cocky' when he launched the U.S. TV talent show earlier this year, boasting it would overtake his old program, No. 1-rated American Idol.
Showing their support: Nicole with her act Josh and, right Chris with mentor and talent judge LA Reid
Taking to the stage: The judges and finalists arrive on stage to take their seats for the press conference
But Cowell, who admits being confident by nature, pledged that the two-part X Factor finale this week will be worth watching and any of the three finalists is worthy of the unprecedented prize of a $5 million recording contract.
The acerbic British entrepreneur judge said that Justin Bieber, rapper Pitbull and R&B singer Ne-Yo would be among the superstars performing on Thursday's finale, before the winner of the first season is revealed.
The X Factor launched in the United States in September after months of hype from Cowell, who predicted it would beat American Idol as the most-watched show on U.S. TV.
Question time: Host Steve Jones chats to Simon and Melanie
Lively: An animated Rene sits next to his mentor Reid, who had apparently dug out his festive Christmas jumper
He had his reasons for the boast. X Factor, after all, has been the most popular TV show in Britain for several years and winners have generally gone straight to the top of the pop music charts.
In the U.S., American Idol is no different, and Cowell was a key force behind its success.
Yet, X Factor has underperformed Cowell's expectations.
Although it has been a hit for broadcaster Fox drawing about 12 million viewers weekly, its audience is less than half that of American Idol, which returns to Fox in January.
Dapper: Jones looked sharp in a suit, white shirt and skinny tie
'I think I probably came here a little too cocky, but I am cocky by nature. I had come off the back of a massive hit in the U.K., had the adrenaline (and) couldn't wait to put the show on here, and it is going to take a little longer than I thought,' Cowell said at a news conference ahead of the final.
'But with these three finalists ... this will be the greatest final we have ever been in ... This is $5 million talent here,' he said.
'We are going to put on a show this week. And it's going to be better next year.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2076417/X-Factor-USA-Nicole-Scherzinger-steals-Simon-Cowells-attention-away-Paula-Abdul.html#ixzz1h5R1WWr4