One Direction had better watch out, as Simon Cowell wants to find an American replacement for the boys on his next series of The X Factor USA.
The boys may have achieved unprecedented success since appearing on the UK version of the show, taking America by storm, but as ever Simon's looking for the next big thing, even if that means an American rival to his current band of teen superstars.
According to The Sun, the music mogal told a US radio station: “You’re going to suddenly see this year the emergence of boy bands and girl bands taking over the charts. We had a group called One Direction who were on X Factor UK a couple of years ago.”
He was full of praise for the lads, talking warmly of their abilities: “Their album launched in America and debuted at No1. This band were completely unheard of but very talented.”
However he then went on to say that he'd love an American band to take on the British popsters, saying: “It would be great to find the next NSync, the next Backstreet Boys, the next Destiny’s Child on X Factor – there is a gap in the market right now for a group like that from America.”
The desire for a US act may be motivated by the fact that the One Direction boys have promised that they'll resist pressure to make a lucrative move to the States, which could see them fail to capitalise on their massive popularity there.
If Cowell's wishes come true next year we could well see a cross Atlantic chart battle, with One Direction taking on Cowell's new group. If the lads current popularity lasts, it could be one to savour!
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