Nicole Scherzinger Just Addressed The Previously Unseen "X Factor" Footage Of Her Creating One Direction, Not Simon Cowell

"Honestly, I never thought this footage would see the light of day. I thought Simon [Cowell] burned it."

Back in July, The X Factor UK released previously unseen footage of the formation of One Direction to celebrate the band's 12-year anniversary.

Fremantle / Via youtube.com

Now, IDK about you, but I was previously under the impression that Simon Cowell was the one who created the boy band. However, the footage told a different tale.

In the video, Simon, Nicole Scherzinger, and Louis Walsh were gathered around a table with contestants' pictures and deciding who would move forward in the competition. Nicole placed Niall's picture at the top of the table to start the formation of a boy band. As soon as she saw Harry's pic, she said, "Oh yes!" and tapped Niall's pic. "Put him with him."

Fremantle

"Nicole's right," Simon agreed.

Once Louis was added, she exclaimed, "They're the cutest boy band ever! The little girls are going to love them."

Fremantle

"You know what? They're just too talented to get rid of," she said. "They've got just the right look and the right charisma on stage. I think they'll be really great in a boy band together. They're like little stars, so you can't get rid of little stars — you put them all together."

"This one? Right here," Nicole said as she placed Liam's pic in the column to join Niall, Harry, and Louis. Simon said he was the standout audition and asked if Nicole thought Liam's pic should be moved over to the pile of boys moving forward as individuals instead. "I don't think so," Nicole replied. "If he's the standout, then he could be the leader."

Fremantle

Louis Walsh suggested Zayn as the final member, and Simon and Nicole both agreed.

Sooo, I think it's pretty safe to say that Nicole was the mastermind behind One Direction.

Fremantle

And she just opened up about it all for the first time!

Debmar-Mercury

On a recent episode of Sherri, the talk show host said, "I always thought that it was Simon Cowell who birthed One Direction, until I saw unreleased footage from X Factor of you creating One Direction."

Debmar-Mercury

"Mmhhmm," Nicole responded. "It's kind of crazy, Sherri. Honestly, I never thought this footage would see the light of day. I thought Simon burned it," she said with a laugh.

Debmar-Mercury

"And it's really cool that it came out, because what people are actually seeing is me actually putting them together, the way my mind was working. I just came out of a girl group. I know how successful and powerful it can be to be a group. We've gotta join forces."

Debmar-Mercury

"And it's amazing to think we didn't have anything at that time. So, I'm super proud that I got to play a small part or a big part–"

Debmar-Mercury

"No, you played a big part!" Sherri interrupted her. "Simon Cowell, you oughtta be ashamed of yourself!"

Debmar-Mercury

"Every time I see Simon, I'm gonna be side-eyeing him," Sherri continued.

Debmar-Mercury

"Say, 'Where's Nic's commission?'" Nicole added.

Debmar-Mercury

You can watch the full Sherri episode here (the interview moment starts at 19:51).

Debmar-Mercury