Nicole Scherzinger: I’ll give X Factor 110% but I won’t wear my heart on my sleeve

She impressed viewers and critics alike during her stint as a judge on the X Factor USA and now UK X Factor fans can't wait to see her in action on the new series of the show.

In an interview with Cosmopolitan magazine, the singer revealed that, although she loves the show, she won't be letting her guard down this year - she said:

"X Factor UK has a special place in my heart. The thing I battled with last year [on X Factor USA] was the rejection part, having to let contestants go. But I've grown so much since then. I'll make sure I continue to give 110% of me but not wear my heart on my sleeve as much."

What's more, Nicole also confessed that she doesn't feel any rivalry with her fellow X Factor judge, Tulisa Contostavlos: "Women should empower each other - I felt close to Paula when I did X Factor in the US as well, and it's great to work with Tulisa she's a cool chick. We're all on the same team together; she's really fun. I love her a lot."

She may like the UK version of the X Factor, but eyebrows were raised when Nicole left the X Factor USA after only just one series. In her interview with Cosmopolitan, Nicole opened up about leaving the US version of the show:

"People didn't see I committed six days a week and put everything to one side to help those contestants. You only have one person to answer to at the end of the night, and if you're happy with yourself that's all that matters. It's hard when you feel the pressure. Sometimes people lose their identity in this industry. But I refuse to waver from who I am."

The X Factor judge didn't just talk about the show though, as she also broached the subject of her relationship with Lewis Hamilton: "You have to love yourself first before you can expect it from someone else. And trust and communication are key."

She added: "Me and Lewis are from similar upbringings, so we share a similar outlook. We're kindred spirits and hearts - that's what ultimately connects us."

Nicole was quick to add that like everything in life, her relationship needs work: "Ultimately, you want to be with someone you can be yourself around. My grandma taught me the person you want to be with isn't going to be Prince Charming - it's going to be the person you're going to be able to work on a relationship with. It's always a work in progress, like everything."

We can't wait to see Nicole in action on the new series of The X Factor, which hits our screens on Saturday 18 August.

The full interview with Nicole appears in the September issue of British Cosmopolitan, on sale August.