LOS ANGELES – There's a familiar name at the top of Simon Cowell's wish list as he looks to finalize who will be sitting next to him for the U.S. debut of The X Factor – Paula Abdul.
In an interview with Deadline.com, Cowell echoes his past sentiments to reunite with his longtime American Idol pal.
"I've always wanted Paula," Cowell says. "Always been very vocal about that. I missed her the second she left the show. Always loved working with her even though she can be a pain. And I've been consistent about this."
While Cowell and Abdul often butted heads on Idol, he says she's a natural choice for his new talent show.
"I don't know what it is about her, but I've always clicked with her," he explains. "You just have to get that chemistry, and she's right. I've never found anyone better than her."
"I think there's a good chance it will be her," he adds. "We've agreed that we would meet as many people as possible, and now we're reaching the deadline we've got to make the decision soon. But I think she's got a really good shot."
Cowell has already finalized a deal with Antonio "L.A." Reid to join him on the judges' panel. He says the former chairman of Island Def Jam Music was his "No. 1 choice to sit alongside me on the show."
Cheryl Cole, a former judge on the British version of The X Factor, would be the fourth judge if all goes according to plan.
"This girl is special," he says of Cole. "She's just got a great ability to communicate. Shes a great judge. She's smart. It's just a hunch. If people take to her like the British public did, I think she's going to do really well in America. And Fox was desperate to hire her."
The X Factor premieres on Fox in September.
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