• Demi Lovato returning as 'X Factor' judge

    Jordan Strauss / AP file

    Demi Lovato.

    By Rebecca Ford, Sophie Schillaci , The Hollywood Reporter

    Amid a major judges overhaul for season three of "The X Factor," there will be at least two familiar faces looking back at the contestants -- one of them smiling.

    In addition to "X Factor" mastermind Simon Cowell, Demi Lovato will be back in a judge's chair for the third season of the Fox series.

    PHOTOS: 'The X Factor' Finale in Pictures: A Country King, a Teen Diva and a Girl Group

    The pop singer, who joined the singing competition in its second season, was the youngest judge on the show and mentor to the Young Adults category.

    "I am so excited to return as a judge and mentor on 'The X Factor,'" said Lovato. "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."

    'X Factor': Ryan Seacrest Asks to Guest Host, Simon Cowell Wants Demi Lovato Back

    Season three of "X Factor" began the first round of auditions on March 6 in Los Angeles. So far, replacements have not been named for exiting judges L.A. Reid and Britney Spears, nor have co-hosts Mario Lopez and Khloe Kardashian been confirmed to return. Open auditions for season three continue in New Orleans on April 14, followed by Long Island, N.Y., on April 25 and Denver, Colo., on May 14.

    PHOTOS: An 'American Idol' to 'X Factor' Timeline

    "I couldn’t be happier that Demi wants to come back this year," said executive producer Cowell in a statement. "She’s a superstar in her own right and was a fantastic mentor last year. Even though she can be really, really annoying -- I truly enjoyed working with her and so did the artists. I'm especially pleased she’s back even during her world tour!"

    Lovato has had a busy 2013 already. The first single off her currently untitled fourth studio album, "Heart Attack," debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes chart in 18 countries (including the U.S.) and No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (the second-best Billboard debut of the year).

    'X Factor': Melanie Amaro's Debut Still in Limbo as Tate Stevens, Emblem3 Release New Music


    Though Lovato was the first mentor knocked out of the competition, with all four of her acts sent home early, she was a hit with audiences. Even in studio tapings, the former Disney star was the subject of constant and deafening screams, and countless signs. Her fanatical followers stayed glued to Lovato’s every move and offered words of praise and encouragement via social media, making her one of the most obvious fan favorites on the panel.

    Earlier this month, during an appearance on Ryan Seacrest's radio show, Cowell confessed that he hoped Lovato would return to the series. "We’d be crazy not to have her back," he said, adding that "I liked having Demi on the show" and that "she’s fun to work with."

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  • Britney Spears makes 'X-Factor' departure official

    By Courtney Hazlett, TODAY

    Britney Spears made official what scores of outlets were speculating over recent days: that she'll be leaving "The X-Factor" after just one season on the show.

    Jason Merritt / Getty Images file

    Britney Spears.

    The singer released a statement to The Clicker, saying, “I’ve made the very difficult decision not to return for another season. I had an incredible time doing the show and I love the other judges and I am so proud of my teens but it’s time for me to get back in the studio. Watching them all do their thing up on that stage every week made me miss performing so much! I can’t wait to get back out there and do what I love most.”

    Spears informed Fox as well; they've yet to make an official comment on the departure of their judge.

    During a Television Critics Association panel on Tuesday, Kevin Reilly, chairman of entertainment for Fox, told reporters, "I think Britney did a really good job. She came on, people remain fascinated with her and always will be."

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  • Britney Spears' future on 'The X Factor' in doubt

    Jason Merritt / Getty Images file

    Britney Spears judged season two of Fox's "X Factor," but will she be there for season three?

    By Ree Hines, TODAY contributor

    Just two days after a Fox bigwig delivered high praise for Britney Spears' work on "The X Factor" last season, comes buzz that the show's second season might be her only one.

    "I think Britney did a really good job," Kevin Reilly, chairman of entertainment for Fox, told reporters during a Television Critics Association panel on Tuesday. "She came on, people remain fascinated with her and always will be."

    But if recent reports are to be believed, people will have to be fascinated with her elsewhere.

    According to E! Online, Spears decided to "jump ship before she was pushed out." A source told E! the pop princess hopes to shift focus back to her own music career, rather than focusing on the efforts of the reality show's hopefuls.

    The word was much the same from The Hollywood Reporter, with sources informing the publication that "Spears was not going to be asked back and so she will not return for season three."

    Us Weekly reports that two separate sources have confirmed Spears' exit, though a Fox rep had no comment when contacted. And yet another show source spoke to Reuters and offered confirmation.

    The Clicker reached out to reps for both "X Factor" and Spears for comment. So far there's been no response.

    But while Spears remains mum about her "X Factor" future, a recent tweet from the singer seemed to back up rumors that her own music is what's on her mind for the year ahead.


    "I'm seeing so much chatter about new music out there. Glad to see you're all paying attention ;) Lot of work to do in 2013! LETS GO!" she wrote.

    If Spears leaves "X Factor," who would you like to see take her place on the panel? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.

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  • LeAnn Rimes calls her shaky 'X Factor' performance 'professional'

    By Kristin Dos Santos, E! Online

    LeAnn Rimes completely stole the show on "X Factor" Wednesday night...and not in the way we're thinking she'd hoped!

    The iconic songstress took to the stage with 13-year-old finalist Carly Rose Sonenclar for a duet to "How Do I Live," and stumbled right out of the gate, appearing to forget the words to her own hit song -- and falling off-key -- as she walked down the steps to the stage. It didn't get better from there, adding up to a live performance that was ... not her best, to put it lightly. 

    More from E!: Is L.A. Reid regretting his decision to leave 'X Factor'?

    So, of course we had to laugh when mentor Britney Spears called the duet "shockingly amazing." And Sonenclar, who looked horrified at one point during the song, thanked Rimes for making her feel "really comfortable." 

    So what went wrong? A Fox rep for the series has no comment, and Rimes' rep has yet to respond to our request for comment. 

    Rimes took to her Twitter today to comment on the performance: "In my 18 years of performing, I have never been anything but professional onstage. It is a shame that gossip and lies are overshadowing the performance of Carly, a very talented young girl. And while I have not given any media outlet a quote, if you want one, here it is 'It was an amazing opportunity to share this experience with Carly and I know I'll be watching for her to win tonight.' " 


    Hmm. 

    Thursday night, "X Factor's" big winner will be revealed ($5 million is at stake!) and we'll see if the Rimes duet has any impact on Sonenclar's fate. 

    What did you think of the performance? Tell us on our Facebook page!

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  • L.A. Reid: 'I will not return to 'X Factor' next year'

    Nino Munoz / FOX

    "X Factor" judge L.A. Reid.

    By Jolie Lash , Access Hollywood

    L.A. Reid is leaving “The X Factor,” Access Hollywood can reveal. “I have decided that I will not return to ‘The X Factor’ next year,” he told Access’ Shaun Robinson in an exclusive interview. “I have to go back and I have a company to run that I’ve kind of neglected and it saddens me a little bit, but only a little bit.” 

    Photos from AH: X Factor Stars: Then & Now 

    L.A. said he needs to get back to business as the chairman and CEO of Epic Records. 

    “It was a nice break, it was a nice departure from what I’ve done for the past 20 years, but now I gotta go back to work,” he said. 

    Photos from AH: The Verdict Is In! Judges Of Reality Television 

    The exiting reality show judge said he needs to focus on his musical performers. 

    “I have a huge responsibility to a roster of artists and it’s kind of time for me to stop doing the ‘me’ show,” he said. 

    L.A. insisted he is not leaving the show on anything but good terms with boss (and fellow judge this season) Simon Cowell. 

    Photos from AH: Anything But Dreadful! Hot Shots Of Simon Cowell! 


    “I love Simon. We have a great relationship, we have fun together, we talk, we laugh, we do bad things, we’re friends. I owe so much to Simon,” L.A. said. “I really have a lot [of] respect for him and I always will. I support him, I support the show and I’ll always be in business with him.” 

    Looking back on his two-season tenure, which is about to wrap up, L.A. said he has no regrets. 

    Photos from AH: The X Factor: Season 2 

    “It was fun! I had a great time,” he told Shaun. 

    And as he leaves, L.A. said he has some knowledge he can apply to his business. 

    “I probably have to say its understanding television a little bit better. I do everything sort of as a strategist, so really, the idea was go and learn television. I know a little bit about it, so now let’s go produce some shows,” he said. 

    With a seat about to become vacant on the FOX reality show, L.A. offered his suggestion on who should fill the spot. 

    “You know who I would love to see take it, and by the way I have nothing to do with it, but my choice would be like Jon Bon Jovi,” he said. “That’s who I would pick.” 

    L.A. also told Shaun he could be back somewhere down the line. 

    “I’m not ruling ever coming back, but I’m definitely not coming back next year,” he said. “I have a job to do and once I get some work done and get some momentum then maybe I’ll revisit the idea a little later.” 

    Will the show be as good without L.A.? Share your thoughts about his departure on our Facebook page.

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  • Demi Lovato loses last remaining act as 'X Factor' reveals final four

    By Natalie Finn, E! Online

    "The X Factor" tried to make Thursday night's double elimination compelling, it really did. But with the indomitable forces that are Carly Rose Sonenclar and Tate Stevens having incredibly strong showings Wednesday, it would have taken an electronic voting breakdown of epic proportions to keep them out of next week's semifinals.

    So that left Simon Cowell's remaining groups, Emblem3 and Fifth Harmony; Britney Spears' teen protg Diamond White, who had a close shave last week; and Demi Lovato's last contestant, CeCe Frey, who, if nothing else, could win an award for most Consistently Criticized.

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    And, Thursday, it was finally time for CeCe to pack that suitcase -- but she accepted her fate stoically and, despite her initial cocky vibe, remained graceful in defeat. Unlike some.

    "I'm very proud of everything that I've done on this show," said the 20-year-old. "I'm ready to leave it with this entire platform I've acquired for myself, and I hope that I taught everybody at home that you need to love who you are--because the more you love who you are, the less you're going to need anybody else to."

    Demi, rocking leopard spots on her face in support of CeCe following the torrent of "I like you, but" critiques she received last night, choked up while bidding her mentee farewell.

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    "I didn't have time to react, otherwise I'd probably be bawling my eyes out right now 'cause I've grown so close to you and," Demi sniffled, "I'm just so proud of you."

    After Carly Rose, Tate and Emblem3 were ushered to safety, Diamond had to sing for her life again, this time against Fifth Harmony.

    The girl group turned in what would have been a fitting swan song, Mariah Carey's "Anytime You Need a Friend," and Diamond, her voice heavy with emotion, sang a less countrified version of Lee Ann Womack's "I Hope You Dance."

    'X Factor' top 6 talk Demi vs. Simon and more backstage scoop

    Simon, of course, voted to save Fifth Harmony, and Britney threw her support behind Diamond. But, despite almost never detecting Fifth Harmony's harmony, L.A. Reid thought it Diamond's time to go, as did Demi.

    "After I get off tour I'll be sure to come back here with one of my hit songs and I'll perform for you guys," said the ever confident-sounding Diamond.

    So off the 13-year-old goes, into her very bright future. 

    Did the right acts go home? Who are you rooting for in the final four? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.

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  • 'X Factor' feud: Demi Lovato slams Simon Cowell's act with 'incredibly dumb' comment

    By Natalie Finn, E! Online

    Fox

    Demi Lovato grabs the mic and blasts one of Simon Cowell's acts on "The X Factor."

    Look out, Justin Bieber--Carly Rose Sonenclar kinda just showed you who's boss. The 13-year-old phenom did a show-stopping, stripped-down version of "As Long as You Love Me," part of Wednesday night's all-acoustic first round as "The X Factor's" top six were tasked with two songs apiece for the first time.

    "I love it when I hear unplugged versions of songs that are better than the actual song," Demi Lovato praised Carly Rose. "You sang it better than Justin did."

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    Demi is proving herself to be as easily unimpressed as any contest judge out there, so she obviously wasn't just slinging praise right and left.

    For instance, she called Simon Cowell's beloved Emblem3, who did a perfectly fine job with Bruno Mars' "Just the Way You Are," "a downgraded version of the Jonas Brothers five years ago."

    "That was incredibly dumb, what you just said, honestly," Simon fired back, having already referred to Demi as "Cruella" before she shared her opinion.

    Demi was also alone out on the ledge defending CeCe Frey, whom Simon advised to pack a suitcase last week. We agree with Demi, that the 20-year-old's acoustic performance of Lady Gaga's "Edge of Glory" was her best vocal yet.

    Even L.A. Reid grudgingly admitted he was becoming a fan, but Simon flat-out told CeCe, "I don't think you are worth a $5 million recording contract."

    However, L.A. still refused to hear any harmonies coming from Fifth Harmony, which, as Demi pointed out after they sang Adele's "Set Fire to the Rain," is made up of talented singers who maybe shouldn't be performing as a group.


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    When Simon insisted that the ladies of Fifth Harmony was the "nicest, most humble" group he's worked with, L.A. reminded him, "Simon, this isn't a competition of niceness."

    No, it certainly is not.

    Diamond White, on the chopping block last week, chose to pluck James Brown's "This Is a Man's World" out of her own personal "X Factor" archive, a choice that dismayed Simon, even though he agreed with the rest of the judges that her vocal was strong.

    Demi managed to sit through five songs without getting bored, but, alas, Tate Stevens' good but uninspiring version of Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer" was a snoozer for her. Simon, in a diss at L.A., warned the country crooner that he needed to be in charge of picking his own material.

    Well, maybe another time, because the songs in round two were all chosen by folks who voted on what the contestants should sing in the online Pepsi Challenge.

    First up, CeCe did a serviceable Katy Perry on "Part of Me," but her Gaga was better. And we don't know whose idea it was to have her not sing some bars, giving the impression that she was out of breath. We do know, however, that the fans voted for her to wear color and spikes and to bring back the leopard spots, hence her everything-but-the-kitchen-sink get-up.

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    "What is the matter with you tonight?" Simon demanded of Demi when she questioned why Emblem3 didn't "work the stage" more doing the rejuvenated Alphaville classic "Forever Young."

    Quizzed by Khloe Kardashian Odom, Demi joked that "of course" she has a crush on one of the three guys and that a restraining order was preventing her from offering more favorable criticism.

    Carly Rose, meanwhile, sounded scarily mature on Beyonce's "If I Were a Boy," but that certainly didn't hurt anything--although Demi would like something "more up-tempo" to avoid becoming too predictable.

    "Here's some advice: Don't listen to a single word this one has said," Simon told the teen, motioning toward Demi. When Simon questioned the "odd lyric," Demi reminded him that Beyonce sang those very words, adding, "You interrupt me every time I speak, so don't think I'm not going to interrupt you!"

    So back into the lions' den went Fifth Harmony, singing, of all things, Demi's "Give Your Heart a Break."

    "I think this song should have been your song," purred the lioness, and Simon praised America for picking a great song. (Well, what do you know?!)

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    Simon and L.A. weren't crazy about Diamond doing Rihanna's "Diamonds in the Sky" (couldn't resist, could you, America?), but Demi said the 13-year-old did it justice. But was that a dig at CeCe when Simon cracked that Diamond was "in a very competitive top six, or maybe top five, actually"?

    Tate closed the show with Garth Brooks' "If Tomorrow Never Comes," a match made in country heaven, and was warmly welcomed back into the competition by Simon.

    "I admit I got a little sleepy during that performance, but I'm also really tired, so it's probably me," apologized Demi, who also loved it.

    But that explains a lot.

    What did you think of Demi's comments and Simon's reaction -- constructive criticism or just more feud fodder? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.

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  • Britney Spears and Demi Lovato slam contestants, fellow 'X Factor' judges

    By Natalie Finn, E! Online

    Once again, 'The X Factor' remains a competition on two levels: the contestants battling it out for a $5 million recording contract and the judges jabbing and snipping at each other for bragging rights.

    The top 12 took on "songs of the divas" Wednesday night, artists ranging from Shania Twain to Beyonce to Tina Turner, with the usual varying results. But while there were a few killer moments onstage, the drama mainly played out at the judges' table, where Simon Cowell directed his utter disdain at a new target.

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    "I thought the song was boring. It just went on and on and on," Simon told 13-year-old Beatrice Miller after she polished off Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time." "For some reason, Britney isn't picking the right songs."

    But instead of firing back at Simon himself, as Demi Lovato did so proficiently last week, Britney Spears may have gone a little overboard by attacking the Brit's young charges instead.

    "She has more talent in her pinky than you do in all of your contestants today," the pop star fired back, to which Simon retorted, "Not according to the leaderboard last week."

    Miss last week's "X Factor" elimination? Catch up right here!

    Demi, meanwhile, started with a compliment!

    "I listened to Simon. I think he knows what he's talking about," she batted her eyes after Jennel Garcia kicked off the show with "Proud Mary," a performance Simon praised for how different it was than last week's, when he took Demi to task for leading the 18-year-old in the wrong direction.

    "I'm glad you listened to me," he winked.

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    Tate Stevens followed up last week's first-place showing with a very solid rendition of Shania's "From This Moment" that even had Simon praising L.A. Reid's mentoring skills.

    Diamond White started off a little flat with Beyonce's "Halo," but she turned it around pretty quickly and finished strong. We're just wondering how long "I'm so glad you're back in the competition" will be part of the commentary.

    We also liked Lyric 145's "ET"-"We Will Rock You" mashup, totally getting where Simon was going with the Katy Perry-Freddie Mercury diva characterization.

    So why didn't anyone else get it?! Britney wondered why they're not doing hip-hop songs. L.A. mused, "This could be the last time we see you." And Demi understood that Mercury was a diva, but she didn't get where "ET" came in...

    "Thank you! We love you, too!" Lyric Da Queen told a fan, blatantly cutting off Demi.

    But everyone agreed, however, on how amazing 13-year-old Carly Rose Sonenclar sounded on one of the most divalicious songs of all, Cline Dion's "My Heart Will Go On."

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    "Britney, it pains me to say this, it really does," L.A. admitted. "I don't want to say this, but...we could be looking at the winner."

    Paige Thomas got all four judges in her corner, too, with Donna Summer's "Last Dance," though Simon found the choregraphy distracting. Fifth Harmony, each member of which carried her weight on Mariah Carey's "Hero," also charmed. And we thought Vino Alan killed Al Green's "Let's Stay Together," but only Britney and L.A. agreed.


    Demi praised his voice but said she got bored watching him. Huh?!

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    "I'm not trying to get people to vote for this group intentionally, but I just want everyone to know at home, they saved some kittens drowning in a lake this week and risked their own lives," Simon said in introducing Emblem3. "Just thought I'd mention that."

    No need to lay it on so thick, Simon! The trio worked their usual 311-reminiscent magic on Alicia Keys' "No One" and won raves all around.

    Not so magical were Arin Ray and CeCe Frey, who came in 11th and 12th last week in the voting.

    Arin looked pretty dejected after taking on Madonna's "Crazy for You," a task he clearly wasn't up for. Demi, once again, was bored and actually told the poor lad he lacked soul. Simon told him, "For you, taking on that song was like asking a cat to eat a tiger."

    Speaking of big cats, CeCe ditched the spots but probably didn't win any new votes with a pitchy "All By Myself," which was all over the vocal map.

    "Hater! Sorry she was better than your Vino," Demi said, sing-song, to L.A. when he expressed mixed feelings about CeCe's sound and look.

    Um, who's the hater here again? 

    Do you think the judges are going too far with the jabs? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.

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  • Simon Cowell: New 'X Factor' ranking system 'has pissed me off'

    By Shirley Halperin, Michele Amabile Angermiller, The Hollywood Reporter

    FOX

    "The X Factor's" results show Thursday night certainly had its share of surprises -- in particular, the revelation that country singer Tate Stevens leads the pack of remaining talent in the top 12.

    The one most blindsided by the news, however, was show producer and judge Simon Cowell, who voiced his befuddlement in a post-show interview with journalists.

    “I thought my acts were doing much better than what was revealed tonight, so we do have to change a few things up,” he said.

    More from THR: 'X Factor' Recap: Top 12 Revealed in Shocking New Format

    Cowell revealed that it was his call to return ousted contestant Diamond White to the stage, a decision that was favorable for Britney Spears. He also was not surprised by the last-place finish of Jason Brock.

    "I never believed he had a cat in hell's chance of winning," said the quotable Brit. "He is what he is -- a nice guy, a cabaret singer -- but he does not have the X factor."

    Cowell also was confounded about his miscalculation that Emblem3 would finish atop the leader board.

    "My acts are going to need a big confidence boost," he said. "Sometimes when you have a record out, you think you're going to go in at No. 1 but you go in at No. 8. So your second record has to be better. That's how I treat it."


    Cowell shared his thoughts about the big change to reveal contestant rankings, as well as what it was like to watch the series' success story, One Direction, perform for the first time in front of the seasoned judge since their time on the British version of "X Factor."

    Photos from THR: 'X Factor' Top 12 Sound Off on Their Mentors: Red Carpet Interviews 

    Cowell's Q&A below:

    Tell us about the ranking decision. Was that a huge thing to do?

    I suggested this about three or four weeks ago. I said what might be interesting is the one thing everyone wants to know -- including me -- every week, is who won. So I said, "What if we just tell everyone, then see what happens?"

    As creator and one of the executive producers of the show, it’s hard to believe you didn't know the order already.

    You know, even last year I had no idea.

    Last year we had that great Rachel Crow moment that came out of nowhere. Do you think showing the results will take away from that, the surprise moment?

    I don't know, I think we should try for a couple of weeks, and we can always bring it back in. Certainly it's the right thing to do this week because now we know where we stand. Particularly for someone like Beatrice Miller, and perhaps Arin Ray, who may have been thinking they were doing much better than they were. They have to change their game plan now.

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    What was the biggest surprise for you out of that?

    I would say Emblem3 not doing better. I thought they would have been top three. But I said this about the U.K. show. When the U.K. show finished, we published the vote results and I thought One Direction was winning every week. We never won a single week. If I had known earlier on, I would have made a change.

    They said this was the first time they had performed in front of you since 'The X Factor.'

    It was a blast. Just to see how far they have come and remembering how they were formed in the first place. It could easily been that we said goodbye to them as individuals, but we took a risk with them and they took the opportunity and … now look where they are. I think it was a good example for the other contestants on the show that if you do well on the shows, you can have a massive career when the show ends if you’re smart.

    Who do you think has changed the most since the first time you watched them perform?

    Zayn Malik. He definitely has more confidence and was the shy one in the group. In fact, he nearly didn't make it on one of the boot camp days. I had to drag him from the back of the auditorium and say, "You are going to do this." He was about to walk out. He was just so shy. So to see him, it's a big difference.

    Are there more surprises in store besides the ranking?

    I don't think we can bring anyone else back. But the ranking thing is something we will consider week on week, if we do it or not. It was the right thing to do tonight. And it has pissed me off.

    What do you think of "X Factor's" new ranking system? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page!

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  • 'X Factor' deadlock ends in surprising elimination

    By Natalie Finn, E! Online

    Maybe Britney Spears knows what she's doing. All four of her teen acts sailed through into the top 12, including Diamond White, who after first being cut by Britney was deemed too darn talented to be let go.

    And boy did she sparkle Thursday night, pulling off Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing" like it was, well, nothing.

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    Instead, the first viewer vote of the season resulted in Jason Brock and CeCe Frey singing for their lives for a shot at continuing in the competition.

    As far as we're concerned, Jason deserved to stay after belting out "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and CeCe delivered a shaky version of Cher's "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me."

    Diamond White talks comeback and more 'X Factor' backstage scoop

    But the judges deadlocked and America agreed with Demi Lovato and Simon Cowell that Jason's time was up. So L.A. Reid became the first judge to lose a team member at the behest of the fans.


    "I want to say, I did it for the gays and Japan," the visibly disappointed showman said good-naturedly. "But I'm really happy to have been here."

    No Rachel Crowe-style theatrics there.

    Do you agree with the voters (and Simon and Demi) that it was Jason's time to go, or were you pulling for him against CeCe? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.

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  • Khloe Kardashian: I'm glad Simon Cowell joked about my nipple on 'X Factor'

    FOX

    Khloe Kardashian and Simon Cowell on "The X Factor."

    By Us Weekly

    At least she has a good sense of humor! When Khloe Kardashian made her co-hosting debut on "The X Factor's" first live show Oct. 31, the 28-year-old E! reality star wore a sheer purple blouse that accidentally exposed her left nipple. Judge Simon Cowell, 53, joked that the studio's air conditioning unit must have been "on high" and said Kardashian's ensemble was "distracting."

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    When Us Weekly caught up with Lamar Odom's wife the following night, Kardashian admitted she was actually grateful Cowell addressed the elephant in the room. "I didn't mind that he talked about it because it was there!" she explained. "Like if you didn't talk about it, it would have been weird."

    Cowell called the incident "hilarious" and admitted the studio is "freezing" during tapings. "We were all told off today, 'Under no circumstances are you allowed to mention the word 'nipple,'" he explained to Us. "I said, 'I didn't say the word!'"

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    "All I said was the air conditioning was on," he added. "You've all got dirty minds!"

    Kardashian said she didn't have time to do a full dress rehearsal since "everything got moved up because of the hurricane and my stuff got stuck on the East Coast. "I tried the top on, it was lined with a nude lining, and I was like, 'Oh, this is fine.' We double taped it, and the first time I ever went onstage was when it was live!"


    She continued, "Production was telling me 'areolas' in my ear! They were like, 'Your areolas are out' -- literally! And I couldn't do anything until the break - that's live TV!"

    VIDEO: Britney Spears mentors the teens with will.i.am on "The X Factor"

    "I mean, it is what it is. We all have nipples," Kardashian laughed. "But I was just like, 'It's my first day! Why did this happen to me? Am I going to get fired?' So when Simon said it, it broke the ice, because everyone was probably like, 'Dude, what is up with her shirt?'"

    "The X Factor" airs Wednesdays and Fridays at 8 p.m. on FOX.

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  • Britney Spears defamation lawsuit dismissed by judge

    Vince Bucci / AP

    Britney Spears.

    By Eric Kelsey, Reuters

    A Los Angeles judge on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit by the one-time confidante of pop star Britney Spears, ruling there was insufficient evidence to go forward with the trial on allegations of defamation, assault and breach of contract.

    "I really thought long and hard. It's the right thing to do, so I am going to do it," Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Suzanne Bruguera said, announcing her decision to throw out the case after hearing two weeks of evidence in the civil trial.

    Bruguera's ruling was a major victory for Spears and her family, despite damaging and sometimes humiliating testimony that lifted the lid on the singer's controversial career and personal meltdown five years ago.

    Sam Lutfi, the self-styled manager of the pop star for a brief period in 2007 and early 2008, had sued Spears' mother, Lynne Spears, for defaming him in her 2008 book "Through the Storm." Lynne Spears wrote that Lutfi controlled her daughter, cut her telephone lines and tried to cut the star off from her family.

    Bruguera also dismissed claims filed by Lutfi against Spears. He said the singer hired him as her manager after they met in a nightclub in 2007, and he was entitled to a portion of her earnings.

    Lutfi case against Spears' father, Jamie Spears, was also thrown out. Lutfi alleged that Jamie Spears punched him in 2008 while the singer was in a Los Angeles psychiatric ward.

    Lutfi, 38, said he would appeal the ruling.

    Spears, 30, has since staged a comeback with world tours, hit albums and a new job as judge on Fox's TV talent show "The X-Factor." She did not attend the trial.

    In testimony last week, Lutfi sobbed on the witness stand, saying he received death threats because of the villainous portrayal of him in the book. He also claimed he tried to get Spears off drugs and protect her from paparazzi photographers who hounded her day and night.


    His most sensational claim was that Spears shaved her head in February 2007 because she feared her hair could be tested for drug use in her bitter child custody battle with ex-husband Kevin Federline.

    Lutfi also told the court that he brought drug-sniffing dogs to her home and flushed a bag of white powder down the toilet.

    Jamie Spears' attorney told the court that his client was afraid that his daughter would die from drug abuse and believed that Lutfi was making her problems worse.

    Lynne Spears testified that Lutfi crushed up drugs and put them into the singer's food to help her sleep.

    Spears' meltdown led to her father's conservatorship, which gives him legal control over her finances and health. 

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