Will Britney Spears and Demi Lovato revitalize The X Factor?

The notoriously erratic pop supernova and the 19-year-old Disney Channel star will join Fox's singing competition next season as judges... for better or worse

Britney Spears
(Image credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images, Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

After weeks of speculation, Fox confirmed Demi Lovato and Britney Spears as the newest judges of its reality singing competition The X Factor during the network's annual upfronts presentation to critics and advertisers on Monday afternoon. The two pop stars will join Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid on the panel, replacing Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul, who were fired after the show's first season. Both new hires are unlikely choices: 19-year-old Lovato is a former Disney Channel star with only a few mainstream radio hits, while Spears (who will reportedly earn $15 million for one year on the show) is notoriously erratic and not exactly known for her vocal talent. But are these precisely the personalities The X Factor needs to rebound from a lackluster first season?

They'll save the show: I'm more likely to watch now that Lovato and Spears are judges, says Brittany Mahaney at And Pop. Lovato will bring a unique young perspective, setting X Factor apart from its rivals. And Spears' appeal is obvious: She's such a wildcard that people will tune in just to see how she fares. Unlike many reality TV judges who "offer wisdom from their past successes," both stars are relevant now. And since both have overcome personal obstacles, audiences will be rooting for them to succeed.

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