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Simon Cowell criticises sacked X-Factor New Zealand judge Natalia Kills Simon Cowell criticises sacked X-Factor New Zealand judge Natalia Kills
(about 17 hours later)
X Factor creator Simon Cowell has spoken about the scandal that enveloped the New Zealand version of the show.X Factor creator Simon Cowell has spoken about the scandal that enveloped the New Zealand version of the show.
Judges Natalia Kills and Willy Moon were kicked off the show in March after slinging insults at contestant Joe Irvine. They were replaced by Australian singer Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Kiwi drummer Shelton Woolright.Judges Natalia Kills and Willy Moon were kicked off the show in March after slinging insults at contestant Joe Irvine. They were replaced by Australian singer Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Kiwi drummer Shelton Woolright.
“It was hateful ... It didn’t even make sense,” Cowell told the Daily Mail’s Weekend magazine.“It was hateful ... It didn’t even make sense,” Cowell told the Daily Mail’s Weekend magazine.
He said the judges didn’t apologise early enough and were quite defensive.He said the judges didn’t apologise early enough and were quite defensive.
Kills said it was “disgusting” how Irvine had copied her husband Moon and he went on to compare Irvine to the fictional Psycho murderer Norman Bates.Kills said it was “disgusting” how Irvine had copied her husband Moon and he went on to compare Irvine to the fictional Psycho murderer Norman Bates.
Related: Ex-Factor: Willy Moon and Natalia Kills' dinosaur insults
At the time Mediaworks chief executive Mark Weldon said both Kills and Moon made comments that were completely unacceptable.At the time Mediaworks chief executive Mark Weldon said both Kills and Moon made comments that were completely unacceptable.
“While the judges on X Factor are expected to provide critiques of performances, we will not tolerate such destructive tirades from any of the judges,” Weldon said.“While the judges on X Factor are expected to provide critiques of performances, we will not tolerate such destructive tirades from any of the judges,” Weldon said.