Cheryl Cole, former Girls Aloud singer and judge on Britain’s “X-Factor” will join Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell in the upcoming U.S. version of the show.

The deals are not finalized, Cowell told Deadline Hollywood in an interview, but he feels confident that the two women will sign on so the show can start airing on Fox in September.

Though Cole might not be well-known state-side, she became Britain’s sweetheart when she joined the panel for the U.K.’s “X-Factor.” Cowell does not think this will hinder her success in the U.S.

He told Deadline Hollywood “if people take to her like the British public did, I think she's going to do really well in America. And Fox was desperate to hire her.”

Cole and Abdul will join Cowell and the already-confirmed record executive Antonio “LA” Reid to round out the judges for the upcoming season. Such well-known names in the U.S. might draw plenty of viewers, but many, like Cowell, think that Cole will bring some attention of her own.

Cowell said he thought “she was bright, cute, knew what she was talking about, ambitious. And you meet someone special a few times in your life…And this girl is special. She's just got a great ability to communicate. She’s a great judge.”

Back in the U.K., Cole’s personal life and career started out as a common feature in the tabloids. At this time, she was Cheryl Tweedy, an aspiring singer who decided to enter the world of television. She was selected from “Pop Stars: The Revival” in 2002, to be in the girl group, Girls Aloud.

The group went on to be immensely popular in the U.K., earning 20 consecutive Top-Ten singles as well as four Number-One singles.

But in 2003, Cole’s life became a much-read about scandal after she allegedly punched a black nightclub toilet attendant in the face at the Drink in Guildford, England. She claimed it was self-defense and it turned into what was seen as a racist attack.

The singer was only convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, but got the racially-aggravated assault charge dropped and was sentenced to community service and to compensate the attendant.

She then began dating famous footballer (soccer player) Ashley Cole and they married in 2006 and moved to a huge mansion in Oxshott. Her husband proceeded to cheat on her twice before they divorced in 2010, after four years of marriage.

But her appearance as one of the judges on U.K’s “X-Factor” in 2008 catapulted her to new positive levels of fame. She became the nation’s sweetheart with her good looks, charm, and kindness.

Most recently, she has been embarking on a solo career, collaborating with will.i.am. on “Heartbreaker” in 2008 and on another song with Nicki Minaj, “Check It Out,” last year.

Reach Staff Reporter Kristin Yinger here. Follow her on Twitter here.