Hurricane Irene Rains on Simon Cowell’s Super Secret ‘X-Factor’ Parade

Hurricane Irene rained on Simon Cowell's parade. No pun intended. Over the weekend, as Irene dropped wicked weather on the eastern seaboard, businesses closed, public transportation shut down and flights were cancelled; including one that Mariah Carey was supposed to be on.

According to TMZ, Mariah was supposed to be on a flight out of New York for important video shoot for Simon Cowell's new show, the 'X Factor.' The shoot was said to be at a remote location that Cowell is keeping on the hush. Cowell has stated that Mariah Carey is going to play a "big role" on the 'X Factor', but as far as what exactly that role entails, it seems that we're gonna have to wait a little longer to find out.

Come on Simon. The Jersey Shore cast can get out of New York, and you can't? If his show was on MTV, this wouldn't even be an issue.