Paula finally has something to smile about!

2012 started off rocky for Miss Abdul after Simon Cowell fired her from her judging spot on the X Factor , so we couldn't be happier her luck has turned around! The 49-year-old has found love again with hot new boy toy John Caprio.

The 40-year-old handsome businessman has been dating the "Straight Up" singer since they were introduced by mutual friends in November.

The kooky choreographer definitely has a glow about her these days!

The former Laker Girl just sold her Sherman Oaks pad for $1.884 million. She purchased the gated contemporary Mediterranean home in 2000 for $1.285 million. That's a pretty hefty profit!

We wonder if these two lovebirds are looking for a love nest together?!

Paula Abdul is unloading her Sherman Oaks estate for $1.9 million.

The 4,679 square-foot home boasts five bedrooms, five baths, master bedroom with fireplace, gorgeous canyon and city views, high ceilings and large media area.

Abdul's Mediterranean-style home also features a grand double staircase, stunning pool and spa. Party at Paula's!

After seeing the decor of this home, the 44-year-old former X-Factor judge certainly has some interesting taste.

See a large gallery of Abdul's pad in our gallery below.

Looks like Paula Abdul was, indeed, fired from The X Factor. Although the 49-year-old singer is saying it was an amicable split.

Paula's rep released the following statement on her behalf:

"Yes, it's true; I won't be returning to The X Factor next season. I've learned through my longevity in this industry that business decisions often times override personal considerations. Simon and I, along with Fox and Fremantle, have been communicating about this for a while now, and I have absolute understanding of the situation."

X Factor's Executive Producer Simon Cowell released the following statement:

"I want to say a massive thank you to Paula, Nicole and Steve for being part of The X Factor last year. You do develop friendships with the people you work with and Paula, in particular, is a very close friend and I expect to be working with her on another project in the near future."

Nicole Scherzinger and host Steve Jones will also not be returning next season.

Next year's The X Factor will be looking a bit different ... now that Paula Abdul, Nicole Scherzinger and host Steve Jones have been given the boot.

The three show regulars have been fired, according to The Wrap.

A source tells the site:

"They expected Paula to be the goofy girl, and Nicole to be the pretty one. But Paula was so bad that it made none of it work."

The site adds that Executive Producer Simon Cowell wanted to make "a clean sweep" and will now be looking for new talent to replace the three.

The source adds:

"They survived this year, but it didn’t really work. So they’ve figured they have an opportunity to fix it.

Fox has confirmed that the former Pussycat Dolls singer and Jones have, indeed, left the show. However, the network has yet to confirm Abdul's departure.

The X Factor's September debut was watched by 12.49 million viewers. Simon Cowell claimed The X Factor would beat Idol in the ratings, however the show failed to achieve that goal.

Simon Cowell is one of Barbara Walters' 10 Most Fascinating People, and in his interview for the TV special, he admits that he once considered hooking up with American Idol and X Factor co-star Paula Abdul!

The two been been working together for nine years, and Simon told Barbara he eventually decided against a workplace romance because he was afraid of the aftermath. "I mean, the truth was, on the first two seasons, we couldn't travel on the same plane together. We really disliked each other that much," he said, boldly proclaiming that they clashed due to "sexual tension on her part." Umm, what!?

Simon also suggests that it was Paula who wanted a relationship with him! "I considered it, but then I thought, 'I don't think the after would be as good as the before.' I'd let her stay for a few hours, but then it would have to be goodnight," he joked.

Wonder what Paula thinks about this!?

Paula Abdul and fellow X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger hit up The Grove in LA to tape a segment for Extra, and the lovely ladies were happy to greet their fans.

While Nicole kept it simple in a black leather dress, Paula got a bit racy with a gown that had a slit way up her thigh. You go, girl!

Also on hand ... judges Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid. But when you show up with two sexy women, the guys obviously take a backseat. Sorry, Simon.

See all four judges in the gallery below.

X Factor/Fox

The X Factor premiere kicked off last night with Rachel Crow ... a 13-year-old singer who belted out Duffy's hit "Mercy" (click through to watch the clip).

After her powerful performance, judge Paula Abdul said, "You opened up your mouth to sing and blew us away."

Simon Cowell added, "We're going to hear a lot about you."

The teen is hoping to win the show's $5 million prize ... to help her family buy a new house. Crow told the judges, "We live in a two-bedroom house, and I have six people in my family. I'm a girl. I need my own bathroom."

Sassy!

Meanwhile, a slightly less-talented contestant surprised Paula with HIS X Factor, almost exposing himself on stage and causing Ms. Abdul to walk off ...

Simon Cowell had a smokin' hot time at The X Factor premiere with girlfriend Mezghan Hussainy despite rumors that the two had called off their engagement.

X17online caught up with the reality show's main man at the ArcLight Cinerama Dome in Los Angeles Wednesday night, and we asked him if he was still dating the 38-year-old makeup artist.

Simon looked confused, turning around and pointing down the red carpet towards Mezghan.

The question shouldn't have come as a big surprise, as last week Simon told Howard Stern: “I'm not sure [if we're still engaged]. I get embarrassed talking about things." After opening his admittedly big mouth, the 51-year-old said he wanted to keep his relationship private from here on out.

Reports have also surfaced that Mezghan has moved out of Simon's Beverly Hills mansion and into one of his nearby properties. "Yes, she is living here. She is here now," a member of the house staff told the Mirror.

Mezghan also did not wear her engagement ring to the premiere last night, as seen in the pic below. However, the two put on a united front throughout the evening.