Report: Britney Spears Will Be Pushed Out at 'X Factor'

By Rolling Stone | Rolling Stone – Thu, Dec 27, 2012 11:15 AM EST

Britney Spears will reportedly be fired from The X Factor after just one season judging the talent competition, sources tell Us Weekly. Spears joined the show in May along with fellow newcomer Demi Lovato, but an insider says the pop star "will get the boot," adding: "Producers wanted her for the long haul, but it isn't working."

X Factor creator and judge Simon Cowell is reportedly leading the charge to axe Britney, with another source saying, "He wanted crazy Britney, but he got boring Britney." Producers say Spears, with her tepid judging style, hasn't earned her $15 million contract, with one more source noting, "They paid all that for her to say 'amazing' and offer half-claps." 

'X Factor': Rolling Stone's Complete Coverage

The news of Spears' imminent axing comes on the heels of L.A. Reid's announcement that he won't be returning to the show for its third season, wanting instead to focus on his work as the chairman of Epic Records. The X Factor has undergone several judging changes in just two seasons, losing or letting go of Paula Abdul, Nicole Scherzinger and Cheryl Cole.

The X Factor's second season wrapped up last week with 37-year old country singer Tate Stevens taking the crown. Be sure to check out our own X Factor season two awards, including Spears' most awkward moment – the dazed, scrunched face the pop princess made after Fifth Harmony beat out Emblem3 for a spot in the finale.

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