Cheryl Cole suing 'X Factor' producers

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 7 (UPI) -- British pop star Cheryl Cole is suing the producers of the talent show "The X Factor" for at least $2.3 million, court records filed in Los Angeles indicate.

Cole was hired as a judge for the show, then fired before the first season began, reportedly because producers feared American viewers wouldn't be able to understand her accent.

The Hollywood Reporter quoted the lawsuit as saying Cole had a pay-or-play contract for two seasons and was not paid her $2 million salary and additional expenses for Season 2. She was, however, paid for Season 1, even though she never appeared on the U.S. show.