MADONNA is on course to claim SIMON COWELL’s crown as the world’s toughest talent-show judge.
The Queen of Pop is stepping into Mr Nasty’s high-waisted trousers in a new US star-search programme to be fronted by hip-hop singer MISSY ELLIOTT.
Madge got the thumbs-up from producers after destroying hopefuls during a screen test with some of the most biting criticism ever seen on a talent show.
Many of her comments were so strong they made Simon Cowell sound like Snow White, so we’ve used some computer trickery to turn her into the scourge of showbiz.
A source close to Madonna told me: “She doesn’t suffer fools gladly. She will have no patience with the have-a-go heroes trying to make a name for themselves.
“If someone walks into the room the wrong way she’ll say ‘no’ before a note is sung and that will be their chance gone.
“She will reduce people to tears because she is so direct.
“Her comments really find their targets, they don’t go flying past and hit the wall. There is no pantomime about her performance.
“She plays the role of a judge as she is in real life. There is no showing off like there is with Cowell.
“Only real hopefuls will get through to be judged by her. She is brilliant at separating talent from over-confidence and the best thing is that nobody can argue with her verdict.”
Madge filmed her screen test for the show in a London studio a month ago after she finished her Re-Invention tour.
She was given tapes of hopefuls and the producers recorded her reaction.
Missy Elliott personally asked Madge to collaborate on the show after they got to know each other while making a series of Gap adverts together.
They became so close they have given each other nicknames.
Madonna calls Missy “Miss Lissa” and Missy calls Madonna “Mad.” The new talent show, which has a working title of The Road To Stardom With Missy Elliott, has been pencilled in for launch on American television early next year.
I am told Madonna also expects it to be broadcast in Britain soon afterward.
Madonna will be making an appearance on the reality show the Road To Stardom With Missy Elliott February 16 on UPN. In the episode, the final five performers take a private jet to Los Angeles, where they move into a mansion and later are surprised when Madonna drops by for a visit. The diva takes time from her busy concert tour schedule to meet with them and share some valuable advice on the music business.
The Road To Stardom With Missy Elliott follows a group of aspiring performers as rapper Missy Elliott takes them out on the road and shows them what a performer's life is really like. Participants are eliminated from the show each week and the last remaining performer will win $100,000 and a contract with Elliott's record label to release his or her first single.
Us Weekly quotes Missy Elliott saying: "I don't think there is anything I would say no to Madonna for. I might not do a kiss situation, but anything else she needs me to do, she knows I'm there."
10-11-2004 06:32 AM
No thanks 
