'X Factor' USA Marcus Canty 'shocked by Paula Abdul, Scherzinger exit'

Marcus Canty has confessed that he was surprised by the axing of Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul from the X Factor USA judges' panel.

Canty, who competed in the first season of the Fox singing competition, said that he enjoyed working with Scherzinger and Abdul and felt that they brought "drama" to the programme.



"I actually was kind of surprised [they left]. I thought it was a lot of drama on the show with Paula and Nicole, but they were so nice," he explained to MTV News.

"I feel like Paula was honest. I feel like Nicole was honest - even in certain situations on the show that they got into, with me and Rachel [Crow] and at one point, me and Drew [Ryniewicz]. If I was in that situation, I probably wouldn't know what to do."

Canty also voiced his support for the possibility of Britney Spears joining the X Factor USA judging panel, adding: "Oh wow, I haven't heard that one. Britney Spears, wow. That should be interesting.

"Britney Spears can be my mentor because, first of all, I was the entertainer. I know she would give me that pop I need. That's definitely a great fit."

In January, Canty signed a recording contract with mentor LA Reid's label, Epic Records.

Watch Marcus Canty perform on The X Factor USA below: