Simon and Paula get lippy: X Factor U.S. judges come to blows as contestant Tiah splits vote (but gets last-minute reprieve)

By CHRIS JOHNSON

Handbags at dawn: Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul got involved in a heated dispute on the U.S. X Factor last night with differing views on contestant Tiah Tolliver

Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul were at each other's throats in last night's U.S. X Factor as they came to blows over a contestant who split the panel's vote in half.

LA Reid and Simon gave 19-year-old Tiah Tolliver a resounding 'yes' after her acapella rendition of Shontelle's Impossible.

But not even her distinctive gap-toothed smile and bee-stung lips were enough to impress female judges Nicole Scherzinger and Paula - who were left feeling flat, despite the powerful vocal.


Opinionated: Paula was unimpressed with vocal, saying it was all over the place, but Simon said the hopeful had great potential

Both Paula and Nicole said her voice lacked control and kept changing key - much to Simon's disdain who said anyone who could not see Tiah's potential must be 'deaf'.

There were tense scenes as Simon and Paula - dubbed Saula - expressed their opposing views.

But in the end she was given a last minute reprieve after singing another song - with Nicole offering her an olive branch.


Splitting the vote: Tiah got resounding yes votes from Simon and LA Reid after singing Shontelle's track Impossible, but no votes from Nicole and Paula


She's through: But after singing another track, Nicole relented and said she would give her a chance, securing her the extra vote to get her through to the next round

'I see the steel in your eyes,' Nicole told her afterwards, adding: 'But I need you to work on your vocals. I'm going to give you a chance and say yes,' she said, changing her vote.

Tiah was delighted with the about turn - but Paula stuck to her guns and still looked unimpressed with her second attempt.

The hopeful was auditioning in Seattle where judges Simon, LA Reid, Paula and Nicole were on the search once again for the next big singing talent.


Elated: The 19-year-old was delighted after the last-minute reprieve at the auditions in Seattle, seen here chatting with presenter Steve Jones

Earlier in the episode axed judge Cheryl Cole made a brief reappearance for the Chicago auditions - the last ones she filmed before she was sacked from the Fox show back in May after just four days of filming.

First up to audition in Chicago were teenage friends Makenna and Brock, singing Colder Weather by the Zac Brown Band.

Cheryl told them: 'The harmonies were spot on, your voices are so controlled,' before the duo were given unanimous 'yes votes' from the other three judges.


Look who's back: Axed judge Cheryl Cole made another brief turn on the show, her last appearance, as auditions from Chicago were aired


It's over: Cheryl took her final bow after making it into to week two of the Fox show


Back in place: Once again the British singer was seamlessly replaced by rival Nicole


Electric: Josh Krajcik, 30, sang Etta James's' At Last and was sent through to the next round


Thumbs up: A four-piece boyband impressed with a rendition of Boyz II Men's End of the Road, which was written by LA Reid himself


Trying his luck: Peet Monsingo sang Bruno Mars's track Billionaire - but failed to make the grade


Proud parents: The 21-year-old seen with his proud parents and host Steve before his audition


Just terrible: Mother and daughter duo The Good Girlz sang Marvin Gaye's What's Goin' On? and were promptly booted from the show


Emotional: Grandmother Elaine Gibbs brought the house down with her take on You've Got A Friend


I'm a fan: Nicole claps as confident waiter Phillip Lomax performs Fly Me To The Moon - and gets through


Chemistry: Paula and Simon were full of their usual quips during the course of the show


Sitting pretty: The judges made an appearance on Ellen DeGeneres's U.S. show earlier in the day


Josh Krajcik - Audition 1 - THE X FACTOR 2011


The X-Factor USA - Drew Ryniewicz - Baby


Peet Montzingo - Audition 1 - THE X FACTOR 2011


Elaine Gibbs - Audition 1 -THE X FACTOR 2011


The X factor USA 2011 - Rachel Crow - Mercy


CHRIS RENE - YOUNG HOMIE. X FACTOR USA 2011



source: dailymail