Nicole Scherzinger Just Addressed The Previously Unseen "X Factor" Footage Of Her Creating One Direction, Not Simon Cowell

  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

Back in July, The X Factor UK released previously unseen footage of the formation of One Direction to celebrate the band's 12-year anniversary.

Now, IDK about you, but I was previously under the impression that Simon Cowell was the one who created the boy band. However, the footage told a different tale.

In the video, Simon, Nicole Scherzinger, and Louis Walsh were gathered around a table with contestants' pictures and deciding who would move forward in the competition. Nicole placed Niall's picture at the top of the table to start the formation of a boy band. As soon as she saw Harry's pic, she said, "Oh yes!" and tapped Niall's pic. "Put him with him."

A view over Nicole's shoulder of her pairing photos of Niall and Harry

"Nicole's right," Simon agreed.

Fremantle

Once Louis was added, she exclaimed, "They're the cutest boy band ever! The little girls are going to love them."

A zoomed-in view that shows Louis's picture has been added to the first two

"You know what? They're just too talented to get rid of," she said. "They've got just the right look and the right charisma on stage. I think they'll be really great in a boy band together. They're like little stars, so you can't get rid of little stars — you put them all together."

Fremantle

"This one? Right here," Nicole said as she placed Liam's pic in the column to join Niall, Harry, and Louis. Simon said he was the standout audition and asked if Nicole thought Liam's pic should be moved over to the pile of boys moving forward as individuals instead. "I don't think so," Nicole replied. "If he's the standout, then he could be the leader."

Nicole placing Liam's photo beneath the previous three

Louis Walsh suggested Zayn as the final member, and Simon and Nicole both agreed.

Fremantle

Sooo, I think it's pretty safe to say that Nicole was the mastermind behind One Direction.

  Fremantle
Fremantle

And she just opened up about it all for the first time!

  Debmar-Mercury
Debmar-Mercury

On a recent episode of Sherri, the talk show host said, "I always thought that it was Simon Cowell who birthed One Direction, until I saw unreleased footage from X Factor of you creating One Direction."

  Debmar-Mercury
Debmar-Mercury

"Mmhhmm," Nicole responded. "It's kind of crazy, Sherri. Honestly, I never thought this footage would see the light of day. I thought Simon burned it," she said with a laugh.

  Debmar-Mercury
Debmar-Mercury

"And it's really cool that it came out, because what people are actually seeing is me actually putting them together, the way my mind was working. I just came out of a girl group. I know how successful and powerful it can be to be a group. We've gotta join forces."

  Debmar-Mercury
Debmar-Mercury

"And it's amazing to think we didn't have anything at that time. So, I'm super proud that I got to play a small part or a big part–"

  Debmar-Mercury
Debmar-Mercury

"No, you played a big part!" Sherri interrupted her. "Simon Cowell, you oughtta be ashamed of yourself!"

  Debmar-Mercury
Debmar-Mercury

"Every time I see Simon, I'm gonna be side-eyeing him," Sherri continued.

  Debmar-Mercury
Debmar-Mercury

"Say, 'Where's Nic's commission?'" Nicole added.

  Debmar-Mercury
Debmar-Mercury

You can watch the full Sherri episode here (the interview moment starts at 19:51).