We’ve been hearing rumors about potential X-Factor judges since Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger were unceremoniously dropped from the panel. I think the last story was that Beyonce was offered the insane sum of $50 million to join X-Factor. We’ve also heard that Mariah Carey might be in consideration, although Simon Cowell squashed both of those rumor and said that there’s no way that any judge would be paid $50 million as their entire budget is $100 million. (Which still sounds immense to me.) Cowell said of the Mariah Carey casting rumors that “I adore her, love her. But you can’t expect someone who has just had two kids [and] has a record career to make the kind of commitment we would need on this show.”
Well now there’s a story that none other than Ms. Britney Spears is in contention to judge on X-Factor. This is in Deadline, so it’s probably well sourced. Plus Cowell has been talking up Britney and how great she’d be on the show.
Britney Spears will likely fill one of the vacant mentor/judge seats next to Simon Cowell on The X Factor. I have learned that, following an overture by Cowell and an initial discussion, the pop star has received a $10 million offer to join the second season of Fox’s singing competition. The recruitment of Spears would bring the star power Cowell & Co. had been looking for after their decision to replace first-season X Factor judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger. The offer also would catapult Spears to the top tier of reality series talent as it is in line with what Spears’ former Mickey Mouse Clubhouse cohort Christina Aguilera will be making on the third season of The Voice and just below the $12 million Jennifer Lopez received on American Idol last season.
The offer comes on the heels of a couple of public statements by Cowell in which he has been effusive in his praise for the Toxic singer as a prospective X Factor judge. “Are we flattered there would be interest from Britney Spears? Yes,” he said during a conference call two weeks ago. During a radio interview with Billy Bush last week, Cowell went further. “I’m fascinated by Britney,” he said. “The fact that she’s one of the most talked about — not just pop stars but people — in the world today, means that you’ve got this star power. This girl has resilience. I would think that if she’s managed to sustain a family, a career, which is tough, (X Factor would be) a walk in the park. I would be fascinated to hear what she has to say. She’s still hot, she’s still having hit records and she’s still controversial. There’s a reason for that.”
If Britney could successfully fulfill her duties as a judge on X-Factor, and I’m sorry to say that’s a big “if,” then this would go very far in improving her image and that she’s well past her rough patch four years ago. She’s had two successful tours since, although her public appearances have been limited and we’ve heard that her team restricted her interviews to either print or pre-scripted and brief segments. Britney is shy and can seem out of it when she’s not performing. I don’t know if she’s up to this challenge. A stint as a judge on X-Factor would do wonders for her career and image. She certainly knows the business. Maybe she should start smaller, and go for a pre-taped “mentoring” role on American Idol for an episode. It seems like a lot for her to judge and entire season.
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They should ask Mary J Blidge. She was outstanding as a mentor on American Idol.
I love Britney, I just want her to keep getting better and be happy. Whatever it takes, career is secondary.
AGREED! Mary J. Blige was an incredible mentor and she was so passionate and sincere about it. she really wanted to help those kids sing better and she made a HUGE difference in their final delivery–umm, Jessica Sanchez? she would have never nailed that song teh way she did without her guidance. And I love Brittany too. I hope she takes the offer. she’d be a fabulous addition. much better than Paula or Nicole. I just wish they’d boot that L.A. Reid! so annoying and egomaniacal.
Yeah, I agree. If she can do the job it would be great for her…I just wonder if she can do it. I’ve never watched the show but I gather it’s like AI, right? Is it live or just taped? She might be ok if it’s taped but IDK how she’d do live.
I agree. Even when she performs lately she seems very timid and unsure of herself. I don’t think she likes big crowds, and it seems mean to put her in front of one every night.
They should just let her go live somewhere peaceful and quite with her kids. She doesn’t look like she likes performing at all anymore.
Leave Britney alone!!! (I just HAD to say that!) Nice idea, but the girl has all she can handle with her boyfriend, her kids, and a wedding coming up.
I think britney will be a great judge on x-factor.she has managed to put her life together and overcome all her scandals..that is great enough
It would be great for the show and hopefully for Britney as well. I hope she does it.
I’m a bit torn at the prospect. If she could pull it off it’d be great for her and the show but I too would be worried about the effect of the pressure.
TBH there’s no way they’re gonna get a star of Britney’s level on the show. It’s already flopping and all Simon does is throw these huge names around before he ends up picking some flop from the 80s and some other smaller artists.
$5m is not much to Britney spears and it’s not worth all the stress and scrutiny she’ll be under. Also her label have said she’s taking a couple of years off so I’m sure she’ll want to just be a mother and wife (once she marries Jason).
Mte…. He’ll throw around a bunch of buzzwothy names LeAnne Rimes, Britney Spears and Taylor Swift but end up hiring Taylor Dane… Lol b*tch is on a budget!
This suppose to be a singing competition right?! Well heres a bright idea get people who can you know actually Sing to be judges! But hey if they are willing to give her 10M I say take it!
bad, bad idea.
she will come across like paula abdul…mentally/emotionally unhealthy.
that’s funny that he would say that because jlo has 2 kids under 4 and she has a “recording” career and she is on idol….but then again MC probably doesnt have nannies raising her twins and a babydouche as a bf/husband!
I look at Britney and get the feeling she is just…over it. Over the touring, albums, award shows, etc. All you have to do is look at her performances and candids to see that. Why her fans keep demanding she put out albums/tours, when clearly her heart isn’t in it, is beyond me.
This would be a disaster. Britney was a mediocre ‘artist’ at best who was a merely a product created by other people. She also can’t sing to save her life. So, how can she possibly recognize singing talent in others, and then “mentor” them when she really had nothing at all to do with developing her own career? Not to mention that she’s completely unstable and a huge risk. Sadly, she’s not relevant as a performer anymore. People are still talking about her because what she’s become is just so sad, and proof that pushing child stars too hard can blow up and hurt them.
Please let this be true!
I watched the first season of X-Factor, and I enjoyed it. Honestly, I think Simon was the worst judge on it. He seems to have no clue what is “in” anymore. Like come one – Melanie Amarro? Sure she can sing. But she is just like every other reality singer before her – Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, etc. Nothing exciting or different about her. It annoyed me how Simon pushed for her so hard. So it annoys me that he got rid of two decent judges. I loved Nicole and Paula. Especially Paula, I was IMPRESSED by how much effort she put into the show. Why did Simon have to screw her over?
I love Brit but no. How many times can she say, that’s cool, that’s fun. You need a stronger personality.
She eternally looks like an illustration of “derrrrr.”
Nicole was totally useless as a judge. I think she thought the role required her to just sit pretty and say nice things, shed a tear or two. That’s why I liked Simon and LA Reid – they’re a little more honest. Though, I agree….they too often go for the belter girls with runaway vibratos like awful Christina A.
This would be awesome coup for Britney, but, really? You think she’ll be good? I have a hard time imagining her having much of a personality at that judging table.
Of course she shouldn’t do it. American Idol lost most of whatever little credibility it had by hiring Jennifer Lopez. Bringing the Queen of the Auto-tuned Nasal Whine would be the last nail in its coffin.
What will Britney tell contestants? “Your performance in this song wasn’t pe-recorded, your dancers didn’t draw attention away from your clumsy dancing, you didn’t bare enough skin and your range is wider than a note and a half… I’m not sure you’re a good singer!”.
I’m sure that contestants would be overjoyed to have the likes of her judging their talent.
She should just take a year off or something
I hope she gets it. If only because Leann Rimes is trying to get a spot soo badly and I would hate for her to get it.
I’m indifferent about Brittney being an XFactor judge. But please, nooooo Leann Rimes!!
To the commentors above saying she has no creative control of her career, can’t sing so she shouldn’t judge, etc. Let me remind you that no one can reach the height of fame-even before the breakdown- that Britney had if she doesn’t have that X-FACTOR to begin with. The girl has it, and during her prime she was indeed untouchable. She knows the ropes like a pro, she is the crucible of fame, the good, the bad and how it can ultimately destroy you if you’re not careful. Her rise and fall and rise again should be enough for her to judge and mentor.
As for her being a puppet, she may not be bright but she knows her craft. All her music video concepts were hers, even directed some of them. she took creative control of both her 3rd and 4th album. She’s co-written alot of her songs and co-produced plenty of them. And she always give credit where credit is due, and she has never stolen anyone else’s style or idea. Unlike some other big pop stars we know. She’s written songs for Selena Gomez. She knows her limitations and she’s ok with it. She’s a best selling author, even her movie, she helped write. She may not be the best singer, or most talented artist out there but she NEVER CLAIMED TO BE.
The girl is humble and modest even though she is the 6th best selling female artist of all time, selling over 106 million records. Talent alone, won’t get u that far in the industry. You gotta have IT. And Britney does.
Co-Sign with you 110% on ALL you said. Im a 43 year old, mom of one and grad student and I totally love her. However, because I love her I also have to say that although I think this gig would be amazing for her IF she could pull it off. UNFORTUNATELY, ……sadly, I DONT think she is strong enough mentally and emotionally. I fear she is still delicate, needs help, is on STRONG meds…….no good. Also, she will be put under a microscope continually, for these very reasons, and I fear the media will be cruel to her scrutinizing everything she says etc etc.
It could make her crack again.
If I were her manager Id say no way.
besides she should take a few years off at least just to enjoy herself. Shes more than earned it and her fans are loyal. they will be there when she returns.
We love you Brit. Stay well.
It would probably help her career, but I can’t imagine her trying to give constructive criticism to someone when SHE doesn’t even sing live, dance very well or play an instrument. I can just hear her saying, “Y’all were good!”
If the reports are true, Brittney is a diagnosed manic depressive (called bipolar these days), and she is on a boatload of medication to help stabilize the violent mood swings that typify that particular mental illness. I think it’s true, and I think that’s why Brittney seems so sad, confused and out of it.
Brittney tugs on my heart in a way that no other celebrity of her age group does. I certainly don’t feel as sympathetic to Christina Aguilera or Lindsay Lohan, for instance. I wish only the best for Brittney, but I’m not sure the X Factor is a good fit for her.
Those closest to her seem to think she does best when performing — I remember reading that her father thought she was most stable when touring. This is hard for me to believe. Those with mental illness benefit greatly from structure and routine, but high-pressure, high-stress situations are harder on them than on those who don’t have psychiatric disorders.
I’d really like to see Brittney retire to someplace quiet and get out of the spotlight entirely.
If J Lo is worth $12 million Britney is worth WAY more than that!
Well said pont neuf and scarlet vixen; as far as i’m concerned all these shows need axed, they are about ratings and egos, you can’t cookie cut real talent, they have all reached the point of exhaustion.
Apparently Britney won’t do it unless it’s 20M! u go girl! U know what you’re worth!