Paula Abdul on Her 'X Factor' Reunion with Simon Cowell: It's Like Riding a Bike

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Simon Cowell's highly anticipated show "The X Factor" debuts in the U.S. in September and for his former "American Idol" panel mate Paula Abdul, the premiere couldn't come soon enough.

"Sitting down, it was like getting on a bike again," Paula said of her first taping with Simon since her "American Idol" exit. "[Except on] a new path and with a turbo engine on the bike."

Nicole Scherzinger also weighs in on the judges' panel of the singing competition and at the FOX Television Critics Association event on Saturday she told us that her critiquing style might take after Paula's.

"I'm definitely coming from a place of empathy and compassion," said Nicole, who went on to remind us that her entry into showbiz was similar to the show's contestants. "That's how I got my start, on a pop reality series [called] 'Popstars.'"

Although she keeps the contestants' feelings in mind, Nicole noted that she also has a responsibility to choose the very best, considering the prize at stake. The winner of "The X Factor" gets a $5 million recording contract and will star in a commercial that will air during the Super Bowl.

"Being a part of the show is like a phenomenon," Nicole gushed. "This is something no one's ever seen before."