Ever since Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger voted to let go of 14-year-old Drew Ryniewicz instead of 20-year-old Marcus Canty on the Dec. 1 episode of The X Factor, people haven't taken too kindly to the two female judges.
Angry fans took to their personal Twitter accounts to show just how upset they were -- and some went as far as tweeting death threats, including "@NicoleScherzy @paulaabdul go die." But now someone very close to the pair is coming to their defense: X Factor host Steve Jones.
"There is a lot of money and fame at stake, but still, everyone just chill out -- please," he tells Life & Style about the death threats. "It's a TV show."
And while these harsh statements are coming from a social networking site, Steve doesn't discount their severity.
"Death threats always raise a certain amount of concern," he tells Life & Style. "I think it's something you always have to take seriously and I'm sure security will be amped up at the studio."
Tune in to watch the remaining five contestants sing their hearts out on Wednesday at 8 p.m. on FOX.
Photo Credit: Picture Group
