X Factor Buzz

For those of you who aren't too connected with the show, "X Factor", new judges are on board. Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger were once judges on the US "X Factor's" first season. However creator of the show, Simon Cowell, fired Abdul and Scherzinger after the first season ended.

Recently he has been looking for two new female judges for season two. Even Beyonce's name has hit the rumor mill. L.A. Ried, CEO of Epic Records and judge on The X Factor, has said he doesn't know who's going to be the judge replacements when asks during an interview.

Britney Spears and "X Factor" have struck a deal that will line the singer's pocket to the tune of $15 million for next season.

We're told Britney's team and "X Factor" are working out "the fine points" of the deal, but the major terms are locked.

Once the final contract is drafted and signed it will go to Jamie Spears, Britney's father and conservator, as well as lawyers for the conservatorship. If they sign off, it must then go to the judge who oversees the conservatorship for approval.

Sources connected with the deal say it's a "virtual certainty" everyone will sign off. By the way, we're told Jason Trawick is "very involved" in the negotiations.

Simon Cowell told TMZ Live on Tuesday, "I would love to have her on the show. I think she would be a fascinating person to sit next to." Simon said they may make an announcement within a week.

Britney would fill one of two vacant seats on the judging panel. She's also way more expensive than the castoffs -- Nicole Scherzinger reportedly pulled in $1.5 million, while Paula Abdul raked in $2.5 mil.


When Sherzinger was asked at an Elle event on the red carpet, what advice she has to give to Spears she sad, "I hope she continues to be herself. She's already a warm, bubbly person, and I hope she doesn't forget that. Good luck to her!"


Melanie Amaro, winner from season one of "X Factor" told E!, she hasn't heard for sure if the pop princess is going to be joining Simon Cowell when the show returns, but "It would be cool," Amaro said while helping to promote the new round of auditions.


"I know as much as anyone else does, but, yeah, it would be cool. I'm sure she'd have lots of things to say. But I do have to say that whoever Simon brings, they'll do an awesome job. He knows what he's doing. He's been doing this for years."


Amaro is currently in the studio working on her debut album. She's tight-lipped on details but says it will be all original tunes. She's come a long way from being booted off the show only to have Cowell bring her back to becoming the first winner of the much-coveted $5 million recording contract.



- Janyne