Simon Cowell presents the NEW X Factor judges, Britney Spears and Demi Lovato, at the FOX upfronts today. “Can’t believe it’s finally happened. Very exciting!” tweets Simon.
VIDEO from the X Factor Presentation at Upfronts:
ETAA: The presentation was stilted. Britney looked awkward. Demi came off like a teenager at a pep rally and so far there is NO CHEMISTRY WHATSOEVER between these four people. A lot of work is going to have to be done to make this panel work, by the looks of things.
ETA: I have such mixed feelings about Britney and Demi as X Factor judges. Simon treated Nicole and Paula like silly girls who couldn’t think beyond their own “female” insecurities. For instance, calling Paula and Nicole “jealous cats” when they said no to a pretty girl. It will be super annoying if the two new judges are treated like Barbie dolls, there to be popular and pretty, and to amuse the boys, who know everything.
Demi and Britney are both really young, but they’ve spent their entire lives in show business and may be surprise us as judges. I’m not going to dismiss them until I see what they can do.
Ironically, both may have a broader understanding of pop music than either L.A. or Simon, who both have a very narrow understanding of pop culture. I mean, when Drew sang Demi’s “Skyscraper” on Season 1, L.A. Reid called it obscure and too old for the 14 year old. He obviously had no ideal who Demi was!
The two should help bring in a younger demographic, which is what advertisers are looking for. Which is, in the end, a good thing for the show.
Some quotes from today’s upfront presentation, via TV Guide
“We delivered,” Cowell said at Fox’s Upfront presentation for advertisers on Monday. “This has taken a year to get where we got to today and I am thrilled to confirm the return of L.A. Reid, the addition of Demi Lovato and superstar Britney Spears.”
Spears, 30, took the mic first. “It’s going to be so much fun and so different from anything I’ve ever done,” she said. “I’m ready to find the true star.”
Lovato, 19, called it an “honor” to stand with Cowell, Spears and Reid. “I’m excited to represent my generation and I’m excited to find a winner.”
“I’m thrilled that The Voice has decided to compete with us,” Cowell added, referring to how the other reality singing show had only previously aired during midseason but recently announced it will return in the fall. “We are going to make this the best series ever made.”
Official Press Release:
Multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning worldwide pop icon Britney Spears and singer, songwriter and actress Demi Lovato will join L.A. Reid and Simon Cowell as judges on THE X FACTOR, the hit singing competition series returning this fall on FOX.
Spears is one of the most successful and celebrated entertainers in pop history. Her musical career boasts nearly 100 million albums sold worldwide and countless awards and accolades, including the 2011 MTV Video Vanguard Award and Billboard’s Best-Selling Female Artist of the Decade (1998-2008). Spears first captivated audiences with her first single “…Baby One More Time,” an international hit that is currently 14x Platinum in the U.S. So far, Spears has earned a total of five No.1 debut albums and 24 Top 40 songs in her career.
Lovato is an accomplished singer and actress with a devoted and engaged young fan base. Her single, “Skyscraper,” off of her most recent album, “Unbroken,” recently went platinum, while the video for her new single, “Give Your Heart a Break,” already has garnered 10 million YouTube views. Her first album, “Don’t Forget,” debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart and her second album, “Here We Go Again,” debuted at No. 1. Lovato began acting at the age of 10, and starred in the cable television series, “Sonny With A Chance.” Her film credits include “Camp Rock” and “Princess Protection Program.”
“I’m absolutely delighted Britney and Demi are joining us,” said Simon Cowell. “Britney remains one of the biggest stars in the world, she’s talented, fascinating – and I believe she knows exactly how to spot THE X FACTOR. Demi’s had an amazing career in music, TV and film for someone her age. She’s young, confident, and enthusiastic. I think it’s really important that she speaks to our younger audience. The new panel will be dynamic and will work really well with the changes we are making to the show.”
Spears added, “I couldn’t be more excited to join THE X FACTOR judging panel. I’m a huge fan of the show and now I get to be a part of the action. Simon and L.A. better watch out!”
“I’m so thrilled to join this legendary group of judges on THE X FACTOR,” said Lovato. “To be able to spend each week with Simon, L.A. and Britney watching the best that America has to offer is truly a dream come true.”
Mike Darnell, President of Alternative Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company, noted, “Britney is an unparalleled superstar. Her success in the music industry over the last two decades makes her a perfect fit for THE X FACTOR judging panel. Demi has mass appeal and is beloved by her fans around the world. We are incredibly lucky to have them on board and we know they will bring so much excitement to the judging table for Season Two!”
“Britney Spears has done it all – she is the ultimate pop icon – and I am thrilled that she has agreed to join THE X FACTOR,” said executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz. “Nobody embodies THE X FACTOR more than Britney – she has shown the world what it means, how to do it and how to sustain it! Demi, like Britney, was discovered at a young age. Her ambition and drive solidifies her as one of the most popular young artists today. Now they will each get a chance to share their experiences and skills with the acts that they will mentor on THE X FACTOR.”
In its first season on FOX, THE X FACTOR shot to the top of the ratings as the No. 1 unscripted series of the fall and currently ranks as a Top 10 series among Adults 18-49 and the No. 1 new series among Women 18-49.
THE X FACTOR is searching for undiscovered talent 12 years old or over – both solo artists and vocal groups – who are willing to brave the panel for a chance to win a $5 million recording contract with Syco/Sony Music. Interested solo artists and vocal groups should sign up now for audition information at www.fox.com/theXfactor.
In a departure from other singing competition series, the first time contestants audition for THE X FACTOR judges, they will do so in front of an audience of thousands – raising the stakes and increasing the pressure to impress not only the judges, but also a potential legion of fans. This will be the ultimate test to prove they have the vocal ability, charisma and stage presence that it takes to win an unprecedented $5 million recording contract with Syco/Sony Music.
THE X FACTOR was created by Syco Television and is produced by Syco Television and FremantleMedia North America. Rob Wade and Siobhan Greene are executive producers for Syco Television. Cecile Frot-Coutaz, Richard Holloway and Andrew Llinares serve as executive producers for FremantleMedia North America.
About Britney Spears
In a little more than a decade, Britney Spears has sold nearly 100 million records worldwide, making her the fourth best-selling female artist ever in America. Born in Mississippi and raised in Louisiana, Spears became a household name as a teenager when she released her first single “…Baby One More Time.” Her recently released album, “Femme Fatale,” includes the No.1 hit “Hold it Against Me,” and additional hits “Till the World Ends,” “I Wanna Go” and “Criminal.” “Femme Fatale” is her seventh studio album since her 1999 debut album, “…Baby One More Time,” which broke sales records selling over 27 million copies worldwide and established Britney as a prominent figure in popular music and culture. Spears also recorded high-grossing albums “Oops!.I Did It Again”; “Britney”; “Blackout”; and “Circus.” An artist so beloved that she inspired her own episode of GLEE, Spears began crafting her most recent album, “Femme Fatale,” while on the road for “The Circus Starring Britney Spears” tour. The tour grossed more than $130 million to become the fifth highest grossing tour ever by a female. Spears has been nominated for eight Grammy Awards and won for Best Dance Recording in 2005.
About Demi Lovato
Singer and actress Demi Lovato started in show business as a pre-teen and rose quickly. By the time she was 15, she was a bona fide TV star cultivating a promising singing career. In the late 2000s, while maintaining a rigorous TV and film shooting schedule, Lovato released two massively successful solo albums, “Don’t Forget” (2008) and “Here We Go Again” (2009); the former debuted at No. 2, the latter at No. 1.
She recently hit the studio with an all-star list of collaborators, including Timbaland, Jason Derulo, Ryan Tedder and Missy Elliot on her 2011 album “Unbroken.” The first single, “Skyscraper,” debuted at No. 1 on iTunes’ chart and recently went Platinum. Lovato’s new single, “Give Your Heart a Break,” is cruising up the Top 40 radio charts, while the music video has reached over 10 million YouTube views, as she has some of the most engaged fans in the business. Earlier this year, Demi accepted the People’s Choice Award for Favorite Pop Artist, an award chosen solely by the fans. This summer, she will embark on a 21-date U.S. tour.
THE X FACTOR
THE X FACTOR launched in the U.S. in Sept. 2011 on FOX, immediately becoming the No. 1 unscripted show this fall. It was FOX’s highest-rated Wednesday night premiere in 13 years among Adults 18-49. The show averaged a 4.3/12 among Adults 18-49, and averaged 12.6 million viewers. THE X FACTOR significantly improved FOX’s year-over-year time period performance on Wednesday and Thursday nights among Adults 18-49 by +52% and+40% respectively. Local versions of “The X Factor” are now produced in more than 40 territories and the U.S. version of THE X FACTOR airs in over 162 countries. Artists discovered by “The X Factor” format have sold more than 100 million records worldwide, including 110 No. 1, 270 Top 10 and 501 Top 50 releases. THE X FACTOR was created by Syco Television and is produced by Syco Television and FremantleMedia North America. Rob Wade and Siobhan Greene are executive producers for Syco Television. Cecile Frot-Coutaz, Richard Holloway and Andrew Llinares serve as executive producers for FremantleMedia North America.
