Cheryl Cole puts X Factor USA disappointment behind her as she lands first Hollywood movie role
By Ben Todd
Last updated at 10:36 PM on 11th August 2011
She suffered the indignity of seeing her dreams of American stardom on the US edition of the X Factor dashed after just four days work.
However, now the Daily Mail has learned Cheryl Cole is to take her revenge on former friend Simon Cowell - by appearing in a Hollywood film.
The star - who was surprisingly axed from the new Cowell series at the end of May - is to make her film debut in a new big-budget film.
The sweetest revenge: Cheryl Cole has put her disappointment over being fired from X Factor USA behind her and landed a role in Hollywood movie What To Expect When You're Expecting
Mrs Cole, 28, will appear alongside Hollywood superstars Cameron Diaz, 38, and Jennifer Lopez, 42, in forthcoming film What To Expect When You’re Expecting.
Success: Cheryl and manager will.i.am were seen looking happy in Cannes earlier this month
The film, which is an adaptation of the successful pregnancy guide, is being made by Lionsgate and is due for release next May.
It began shooting in mid-May. And Mrs Cole – who is in ‘advanced talks’ to appear – will shoot her scenes in the US later this month.
In what will be seen as a clear side-swipe at Cowell, Mrs Cole will play a TV talent show judge for her cameo role in the film.
The film –whose cast also includes actors Dennis Quaid, Chris Rock and Matthew Morrison - chronicles the lives of four couples as they prepare to become parents.
Miss Diaz plays Jules who auditions in an X Factor-style contest in front of the TV talent show judge which is Mrs Cole’s character.
Mrs Cole is said to have initially impressed Hollywood film bosses during a four-day appearance at the Cannes Film Festival in May.
In recent weeks, the pop star has been in Los Angeles enjoying some extended time off – following her early axing from Cowell’s US show.
A film source revealed: ‘This is a bit of fun for Cheryl. She will film the scenes imminently and is really looking forward to it.
The source went on: ‘It doesn’t mean she suddenly wants to become actress.
It was just an opportunity that has come up while she has been having some down time and she thought it would be great fun to take part.’
Big names: Jennifer Lopez has already started shooting scenes for the movie alongside Rodrigo Santoro (left), while Cameron Diaz will join the set later this month
The role also represents a coup for Mrs Cole’s new manager, Will.i.am – real name William Adams - from US pop band Black Eyed Peas.
Mrs Cole parted company with erstwhile manager Hilary Shaw in April after six years together.
She replaced Miss Shaw with Will.i.am and his associate Seth Friedman who were tasked with overseeing her US launch.
However, within weeks, those initial plans were left in tatters after her X Factor USA axing.
This film deal will now allow Mrs Cole to receive all-important exposure in the US.
Disappointment: Cheryl was left humiliated when she was fired from X Factor USA, on which she was due to be starring alongside friend Simon Cowell
Mrs Cole - who has also been close to a reconciliation with her former husband, Chelsea and England footballer Ashley Cole - initially rose to fame as a contestant on TV talent show Popstars: The Rivals in 2002. The band, Girls Aloud, formed from the series then went on to be a successful pop act.
Mrs Cole then became a household name across the nation when she replaced Sharon Osbourne as a judge on the hugely successful programme The X Factor in 2009.
Svengali Cowell then chose to take her to the US for the American launch of the programme.
However, their relationship when she was sensationally axed from the series - although Mrs Cole was left with the solace of receiving her full £1.2million fee for the series from just the four days work.
New line-up: The X Factor USA judging panel now consists of Cowell, Nicole Scherzinger, Paula Abdul and L.A. Reid
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2025025/Cheryl-Cole-puts-X-Factor-USA-sacking-lands-Hollywood-movie-role.html#ixzz1UnFw1pb1
