Britney Spears, Demi Lovato Are New ‘X Factor’ Judges

REUTERS – Britney Spears and former Disney Channel star Demi Lovato will join talent show “The X Factor” as judges when the U.S. version of the contest returns to television in September, Fox television and the show’s creator Simon Cowell said on Monday.

Cowell said in a Twitter message that Spears, 30, the world’s biggest pop phenomenon of the 2000s, will join him on “X Factor,” which searches for a new pop star from tens of thousands of ordinary Americans.

Spears will be joined by singer and actress Lovato, 19, to fill the judge’s seats left by Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger, who were both fired by Cowell after a disappointing first season in 2011.

Cowell announced the news on Twitter, sending a photo of himself with record producer Antonio “L.A.” Reid, Spears and Lovato and saying “Can’t believe it’s finally happening. Very exciting!”

Read more: http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/05/14/britneyspears-xfactor-idINDEE84D0KN20120514

Simon Cowell Cleans House At X Factor

It would seem all the rumors swirling around for months have come true.  X Factor‘s host, Steve Jones got fired.  That rumor was the first one I heard.

Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger have been let go as well.  The two women spent most of the season crying or telling us they couldn’t vote to send people home.  Paula was also the first judge to have all her contestants eliminated, rather early in the competition.

Simon evidently has another project for Paula.  I don’t think Simon ever cared for Nicole.  Steve grew on me as the season went along but he certainly doesn’t have the appeal of a Ryan Seacrest.  Even though Simon and LA Reid fought a lot, LA Reid was a fierce competitor to the end and has probably gained Simon’s respect because of it.

Names circulating around are Mariah Carey, Nicki Manaj and Katy Perry for judges.  Cheryl Cole is also allowed to return if she wants to.  Perez Hylton also threw his “hat in the ring’. (Please ignore that train wreck!)

So we wait and see who Simon ultimately chooses.  It would seem that things can only get better.

And The Winner Is? Melanie Amaro Crowned Winner Of X Factor USA

In a star-studded finale that concluded months of competition, Melanie Amaro was crowned the first winner of the American version of X Factor and the winner of a $5 million recording contract.  The biggest prize ever awarded for a singing competition.  Melanie will also appear in a Pepsi commercial.

Star after star graced the stage this evening, Justin Bieber w/ Stevie Wonder, Leona Lewis, 50 Cent, Pit Bull and Neo.  The final twelve returned to perform group numbers and several of the finalists made cameo appearances with the superstars.

Josh Krajcik finished in second place and Chris Rene finished in third place.

Congratulations to all this evening’s finalists. 

X Factor USA will be back in 2012 for a second season!