Simon Cowell, Demi Lovato | 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.)

All signs are pointing to Khloe Kardashian as the new host of The X Factor, newly made-over by creator Simon Cowell with Britney Spears and Demi Lovato at the judges' table. So says TMZ, which reported Friday that Kardashian -- known as the funny one among her reality-famous siblings -- is the frontrunner to get the gig following a successful screen test. If Cowell, who apparently considers her a magnet for young viewers along with Spears and Lovato, hires the E! star for his Fox talent competition, then she would basicaly have to start right away. The second-season reboot of X Factor premieres Sept. 12 and 13.

Simon Cowell is making a bold bet Britney Spears and Demi Lovato will increase viewers and propel the second season of Fox’s reality competition, X Factor, into a ratings hit. Before a single episode of the British import aired in the US last fall, Cowell, its creator and executive producer, predicted it would draw 20 million viewers and best American Idol, Cowell’s former series.