Simon Cowell: Abdul is fascinating

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Simon Cowell is 'fascinated' by Paula Abdul.

Paula worked with the British music mogul on American Idol between 2002 and 2009. The 49-year-old recording artist and choreographer decided to leave the popular show after eight seasons.

The pair are teaming up again on the judging panel for the American version of The X Factor, where they will be joined by Nicole Scherzinger and L.A. Reid.

Simon loves working with Paula, claiming she is a very kind person.

"From the minute I met Paula, I was fascinated by her," he told Redbook.

"She's a complex person, but ' this is going to sounds very American ' she's got a great heart."

Simon and Paula have a famously volatile relationship.

The 51-year-old TV personality, who is renowned for his cutting one-liners, likes working with people who have an opinion.

"I do really like people who disagree with me," he explained.

"Probably my best friends in the world are the people I argue with the most, because they don't always say what you want to hear."

The X Factor premieres on September 21. Simon is looking forward to showcasing the range of talent who have fascinating stories to tell.

"One woman in her mid-40s had gotten out of a horribly abusive marriage. When she sang, she was amazing," he said.

"We saw the 5,000 people in the audience all get on their feet. That's more powerful than a 17-year-old who comes in and says, 'I want to be a star.''