Former “X Factor” judge Cheryl Cole and Black Eyed Peas founder Will.i.am (who is part of Cole’s management team) have taken to Twitter to reassure people that they are fine after getting into a car accident that left both of them with minor injuries. According to various published reports, including the Press Association, the accident occurred in Los Angeles on the night of August 29, 2012.
Will.i.am was driving, while Cole was the only passenger. He reportedly lost control of the Cadillac that he was driving and slammed into a parked car. While his air bag worked, Cole’s did not. Sources have told the media that they both received minor cuts that left them bloodied and shaken but not seriously injured.
Will.i.am was treated at Cedars Sinai Hospital, while Cole did not have to be hospitalized. He later tweeted: “Car accidents are not dope…I’m glad I’m o.k#wiplash … We’re fine. Cheryl Cole (and I) were coming back from the studio but she and I are fine … just a little wiplash.”
Cole tweeted: “Don’t worry me and @iamwill are fine, promise.”
Cole (who rose to fame as a member of Girls Aloud) and Will.i.am each have solo albums out in 2012. Cole’s third solo album, “A Million Lights,” debuted at No. 2 in the U.K. in June 2012. The album will not be released in the U.S.
Will.i.am.’s fourth solo album, “#willpower,” is set for release worldwide on October 15, 2012.
Cole was was judge on “The X Factor” U.K. from 2008 to 2010. She left the show to become a judge on “The X Factor” U.S., but was notoriously fired from the U.S. show in May 2011, after doing just four audition dates. “The X Factor” executive producer told the media that he took “full responsibility” for Cole getting fired. She said she was removed from “The X Factor” U.S. because he thought she did not appear to be comfortable with being on an American show.
Cole turned down an offer to go back to “The X Factor” U.K. and she has said in several interviews that she won’t work on “The X Factor” or with Cowell again.
Meanwhile, Will.i.am (who is a coach/judge on “The Voice” U.K.) has slammed Cowell and “The X Factor” in several interviews. Several media outlets have reported that Will.i.am encouraged Cole never to work with Cowell again.
Meanwhile, Will.i.am continues to work with female judges from “The X Factor.” He has reportedly recorded a song (title to be announced) with “The X Factor” U.S. judge Britney Spears for his “#willpower” album. Will.i.am also worked with “The X Factor” U.K. judge Nicole Scherzinger on her second solo album, whose title and release date are to be announced. He has recorded music with Spears and Scherzinger before they became “X Factor” judges.