Even though she showed off her incredible voice and mountains of talent, Simon and the viewers accused her of ignoring her acts to make herself look better
Nicole Scherzinger opened this week's X Factor with a tribute to two of the greatest divas ever - Aretha Franklin and Chaka Khan - and Simon Cowell promptly tore her to shreds.
Unfortunately the former Pussycat Doll was incredible leaving the poor X Factor contestants facing having to follow her outstanding performance and head judge Simon accused of her of ignoring her acts to focus on her self after Ryan Lawrie performed.
Ryan it is quite clear, watching Nicole at the start of the show and her performance where her attention went this week because it wasn't you," Simon said, echoing many viewers' thoughts.
Hitting back, a furious Nicole told him: "You need to cool your jets mister, because I found out I was singing on Thursday and got my stuff together yesterday and all my focus was on him," she said, putting Simon in his place.
Viewers flocked to social media to gush over the diva's performance of Aretha Franklin's Respect and Chaka Khan's I'm Every Woman but slam her for making the contestants look terrible.
One wrote: "Nicole Scherzinger literally takes every opportunity she can show off her voice."
Another added: "So sick of the #XFactor being the 'Nicole Scherzinger show'. Sit down you attention-seeking exhibitionist."
However, others were thrilled, with one saying: "Nicole is a great performer and singer! Show them how it's done. #XFactor"
After the public chose Divas as the song categories, the remaining ten acts took to the stage performing the hits of some of the nation's favourite divas. And Vanilla Ice.
Matt Terry took to the stage to perform Mariah Carey's I'll Be There, while Ryan Lawrie sang Adele's Rolling in the Deep and Emily Middlemas went with Whitney Houston's How Will I Know.
Michael Jackson's Earth Song was performed by Sam Lavery, Gifty Louise did Sam Smith's Lay Me Down and Honey G did a mash-up of Vanilla Ice's Ice Ice Baby and Queen's Under Pressure.
Relley C performed Aretha Franklin's Natural Woman and Saara Aalto performed Bjork's Oh So Quiet.
Meanwhile, 5 After Midnight sang Amy Winehouse's Valerie and Four of Diamonds performed a medley of Lady Marmalade and Arianna Grande's Bang Bang.
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