"X Factor"... The REAL deets on why so many were fired!

SOOO what's the real story behind the blood bath on "The X Factor"?

Reports say a careful analysis of the first season of “The X Factor” was dones by show producers and the Fox network — whose research indicated Abdul was thought too “soft” to compete with the other judges and the audience “just did not connect with Nicole,”... Though both show creator

Simon Cowell (who will remain as a judge with L.A. Reid) and Abdul went out of their way to indicate they remain close, sources on “The X Factor” contradict that.

The parting was “anything but amicable and there were a lot of angry words,” said a key show staff member. “I know Simon and Paula say they’re still friends, and Simon’s claiming he and Paula will again work together, but there will have to be some time for that [rift] to heal after what went down the past few days.”

What about Steve Jones and Nicole Scherzinger's firing?

An “X” staffer said that “while Steve knew he wasn’t coming back [and] realized that sadly he just didn’t connect with the U.S. audience — everyone was stunned that Nicole thought she’d be back for the second season.

“On top of being an impossible diva to work with, so many fans really hated her — especially after her vote led to [popular young contestant] Rachel Crow being eliminated.”

Cowell reportedly is courting major music stars such as Beyonce and Mariah Carey as potential judges for the sophomore season of “The X Factor.”