A new crop of singers shoots for stardom. But all eyes will be on judges Britney Spears and Demi Lovato when Season 2 premieres.
Britney Spears
Why she joined the show:
Spears began thinking about the show thanks to an unlikely source — the makeup artist she shares with Cowell. “We talked about [‘The X Factor’] a couple of times when I was on tour, but really never took it seriously until she went back and she started working for him,” Spears says of the go-between. “Then we just all met up, and it made sense.”
What she brings:
Few have weathered the ups and downs of stardom the way Spears has. “I’ve been able to help this talent come in and achieve their dream, and I can relate to them … because I started out at such a young age. I know the foundation and the depth of what you go through [to achieve] your dream,” she says.
Simon says:
“I’m not going to lie about this. I always said the No. 1 person I always wanted on one of these [singing competition] shows was Britney,” Cowell admits. “She’s a really, really good judge. Britney’s
quite mean, which you’ll discover.”
Demi Lovato
Why she joined the show:
Lovato had dreams of auditioning for “American Idol” — not that the former Disney star needed that show to achieve fame — but found her way onto a reality competition regardless. “By the time that I turned 19, here I am sitting on the panel with [Cowell, the former ‘Idol’ judge]. I never thought that I would be doing this. It’s such an honor.”
What she brings:
Lovato — who has worked in the industry for 10 years, or half her life — views her youth as an advantage. “The expertise that I’m able to contribute is … I know what my friends like,” she says. “We’re in our early 20s and late teens, and it’s a really interesting thing when you bring a much younger demographic into the competition. [Teens are] really great judges. We know what is needed in this industry.”
Simon says:
“Demi is a brat,” Cowell says with characteristic bluntness, then adds, “but there’s something really
likable about her as well. [She is] one of the hottest new artists around at the moment.”
“The X Factor”?premieres tonight at 8 on Fox.
