The X Factor

Credit: Gustavo Caballero/Getty; Axelle Woussen/Bauer-Griffin

The X Factor

Kelly Rowland & Paulina Rubio Officially Join The X Factor

Originally posted 05/20/2013 09:10PM

There's going to be some girl power on The X Factor this fall!

Kelly Rowland and pop sensation Paulina Rubio will join Demi Lovato and Simon Cowell at the judges table when the show returns, FOX announced Monday.

"It's taken more than a decade, but I'm delighted to finally be on a panel with three girls (I think!)," Cowell said in a statement. "Paulina and Kelly both have great taste and massive experience in the music industry and together with Demi, this is going to be a fun panel. It just feels like the time to do something different."

Rowland, 32, was a judge on the U.K. version of the show. "I am very excited to be reuniting with Simon Cowell and The X Factor family,” said Rowland in a statement. "It feels great to be able to take this journey here at home in the States!"

Read More

Demi Lovato Is Returning to The X Factor for Season 3

Originally posted 03/28/2013 02:50PM

It's going to be Simon vs. Demi round two when The X Factor returns this fall.

Lovato is returning as a judge for season 3 of the Fox reality competition, the network announced on Thursday.

"I am so excited to return as a judge and mentor on The X Factor," the 20-year-old singer said in a statement. "Last season was an unbelievable experience and I really enjoyed developing personal relationships with the contestants and the panel. I look forward to taking my previous experience and applying it to make this season even better!"

Lovato, who was joined on last year's judging panel by Cowell, L.A. Reid and Britney Spears, famously clashed with the tough Brit during the show, swapping biting commentary as Cowell sometimes questioned Lovato's mentoring abilities.

Read More

Credit: Ray Mickshaw/FOX

The X Factor

Britney Spears: The X Factor Made Me Miss Performing

Originally posted 01/11/2013 03:50PM

It's official: Britney Spears is moving on after one season as a judge on The X Factor.

"I've made the very difficult decision not to return for another season," Spears, who mentored the show's youngest contestants, said in a statement on Friday.

Her rep confirms that Fox, which airs the singing competition, has been informed of her decision.

A source told PEOPLE Thursday that the pop superstar intends to focus on her music now that she's done with the hit show.

Read More

Credit: Scott Kirkland/PictureGroup

The X Factor

Tate Stevens's X Factor Win Proves Age Doesn't Matter, Says Simon Cowell

Originally posted 12/21/2012 02:00PM

While his girl group didn't win The X Factor, Simon Cowell thinks America got it right when viewers picked the show's oldest contestant, Tate Stevens, 37.

"We set out to do this show and take away as many rules as possible, partly to prove the point that you can sell records and be popular beyond the age of 29," Cowell said after the show's finale Thursday when Stevens, a married father of two, walked away with a $5 million recording deal.

"At my record label we don't have a sign on the door saying, 'If you're over 30 you can't sign here,' " he continued. "We don't run the business that way. This proves that there is a market for older people. I mean, look at Susan Boyle. I sold 30 million albums with Susan. So there's a market out there."

As for Simon's kind words, Stevens told PEOPLE, "[At the wrap party] Simon said some nice things which means a lot; he's the boss – and he seems to have a lot of confidence and in me going forward in my career."

Read More

Simon Cowell Calls Sandy Hook Tribute the Hardest Thing He's Done on TV

Originally posted 12/20/2012 10:05AM

It takes a lot to bring out Simon Cowell's softer side.

But the normally acerbic X Factor judge choked up Wednesday night as he introduced the show's emotional tribute to the Sandy Hook shooting victims – in what he later said was an extremely difficult moment for him.

"I would say it was the hardest thing I've ever had to do on TV in my life," Cowell, 53, said after the show, in which Carly Rose Sonenclar, Tate Stevens and Fifth Harmony made their final performances of the season.

Read More