by Kim Masters, The Hollywood Reporter
In her continuing drama with the producers of "The X Factor," it appears that British pop star Cheryl Cole may yet be headed to the U.S.
According to The Hollywood Reporter's industry source, Cole -- who was dropped from the U.S. version of the show after four days for reasons that remain unclear -- was willing to return to the U.K. version of the show, as Fremantle producers had wished. But TMZ reports that she was owed $1.5 million in her contract for the U.S. season regardless of whether she appeared on the show, and she wanted to be paid the agreed-upon amount as well as a separate fee for performing in the British show. The industry source tells THR that Fremantle bristled at this point and the two sides are in a stand off.
To avoid breaching her contract for the U.S. show, Cole will have to seek a visa in the days ahead, return to the U.S. and turn up for "X Factor" tapings. Whether she will have a role in the show is unclear; certainly it's possible that the two sides will reach some sort of agreement returning her to a role in the U.S. show to end an embarrassing public dispute.
Cole has not yet applied for a visa due to paparazzi hounding her, according to a source in her camp, but intends to do so. The show's next auditions in New Jersey are scheduled for June 9th at the Prudential Center in Newark N.J.
Fremantle and Fox, which will air the show in September, declined to comment. A source close to Cole says "nothing would make her happier" than to collect the payout she's due. Cole and Cowell's representatives also declined to comment.
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