L.a. Reid | featured news

Epic Records chairman L.A. Reid will not be returning for season three of  “The X Factor,” according to The Hollywood Reporter. The reality-TV judge is quitting the Fox talent show to focus more on developing new and signed musicians.

Britney Spears and Demi Lovato have been the subject of major media scrutiny in their day. Finally, the two new additions to X Factor 's panel are the ones doing the judging. Pop princess Spears, 30, and former Disney star Lovato, 20, replaced last season's Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger. On Wednesday, they joined music producer L.A. Reid and X Factor executive producer Simon Cowell at the judges' table for their first taped audition show. (Live comes later.)

The X Factor kicked off last night's episode with a bang when Brian Bradley, 14 hit the stage. Bradley mentioned backstage that he was going to treat the audition like a performance. It was one of the most unique ways to do an audition. Needless to say, Brian got all "Yeses" and a strong endorsement from the gullible LA Reid.

Fox announced Sunday that former "American Idol" judge Paula Abdul is joining her former co-panelist Simon Cowell on his new singing competition "The X Factor." Abdul will be the fourth judge, alongside Cheryl Cole and L.A. Reid.

L.A. Reid, whose contract with Universal Music is up in December, will get an early release so that he can take part in the show, according to The Hollywood Reporter.