Nicole Scherzinger has hit back at claims the X Factor’s Jukebox, which picks the theme of each Saturday show, is fixed
Fans were sceptical when the mechanical jukebox which determines the song theme for the upcoming show mysteriously landed on the spooky choice
X FACTOR judge Nicole Scherzinger has hit back at claims The X Factor’s Jukebox is fixed.
The new gimmick, designed to freshen up the latest series, is spun by host Dermot O’Leary on Sunday nights to determine the theme for the following Saturday’s live show.
However the jukebox conveniently selected Fright Night from its revolving list of options, also including Movies, Eighties and Boyband v Girlband, just in time for Halloween this weekend, sparking claims from viewers it’s fixed.
Nicole, 38, stands by the fairness of the Jukebox, despite co-judge Simon Cowell hinting on spin-off show The Xtra Factor last Sunday there could be “somebody inside stopping it.”
The former Pussycat Doll said: “I genuinely think that it’s not fixed because I know every week I can’t pick my songs until we know what [theme] we’re doing - and the producers aren’t picking anything as well.”
The singer, who this year is mentoring the Boys, added: “I think it’s perfect. I think it’s meant to be. It’s fricking Fright Night.
"No one wants Fright Night around Christmas time or Thanksgiving.”
Last week Sun Bets gave odds as short as 2-1 that Fright Night would be ‘randomly chosen’ to take place on Halloween.
And Nicole admitted boss Simon, 57, was expecting a fan backlash after the spooky theme was chosen.
The mentor revealed: “When it did land on Fright Night, Simon said ‘Oh we are going to get reamed because everyone’s going to think it’s fixed now.’”
This week Nicole performed at the Rays of Sunshine concert alongside the charity’s children’s Wish Choir, comprising of fourteen seriously ill children.
She’ll return to The X Factor this weekend to support her remaining acts Matt Terry, 22, and 20-year-old Ryan Lawrie.