Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell | featured news

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.)

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.

The judging panel for Simon Cowell's U.S. version of "The X Factor" has yet to be set and he suggested Paula Abdul is in the running.

According to People, former judge Paula Abdul will join the show for a “special send-off” to the departing judge.

Even before Ellen DeGeneres took her seat on "American Idol," the roar began. Cries of "What does she know about music" and "Bring back Paula Abdul" lit up blogs and message boards. Then the next shoe dropped -- anchor judge Simon Cowell announced that the ninth season would be his last.

Simon Cowell and the other judges on 'American Idol' will not have Paula Abdul to kick around anymore.