American Idol judge Randy Jackson is to quit the show after 12 years.

The producer/musician will give up his seat on the panel next week (16May13) after the latest Idol queen is crowned.

The news comes amid reports that all four judges - Jackson, Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban - are poised to depart after the current season ends, and hours after it was announced that Carey had dropped Jackson as her longtime business manager.

He tells E! News, "To put all of the speculation to rest, after 12 years of judging on American Idol I have decided it is time to leave after this season...

Kristen Stewart and One Direction dominated Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards on Saturday night, landing two top awards each. The winners received special orange blimps as trophies.
 
"The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2" star won Favorite Movie Actress, and she also picked up the Favorite Female Buttkicker award for "Snow White and the Huntsman." The 22-year-old was inadvertently covered in green goo after hugging award presenters Sandra Bullock and Neil Patrick Harris, who had been slimed.

U.K. boy band One Direction was unable to attend the ceremony because they were performing a ...

Music mogul Simon Cowell is teaming up with bosses at YouTube.com to launch a global online talent contest.

The X Factor creator has spent years searching for the next big music star as a judge on TV shows American Idol and Britain's Got Talent, and now he's turning to the Internet to find skilled professionals who have yet to be discovered.

Cowell's new project, The You Generation, will launch next month, and allow everyone from magicians to chefs to upload videos of their talent on a specific YouTube channel, where members of the public and chiefs at his production company, Syco Enter...

Carmen Electra has spoken out to finally silence rumors linking her to Simon Cowell, insisting she is just "good friends" with the TV mogul.

The X Factor boss worked with Electra when she joined his show "Britain's Got Talent" last year as a temporary guest judge and they have since been spotted on numerous outings together.

Cowell fuelled the rumors last month when he called her "adorable" and revealed they are "people who date," but the model/actress is adamant they are nothing more than friends.

When quizzed about her rumored romance with Cowell at the Golden Globe Awards in Los An...

Music mogul Simon Cowell has confirmed he is dating Carmen Electra following months of speculation about their relationship.

The X Factor boss has been spotted on numerous outings with the glamorous actress/model since September and Electra has made no secret of her affection for Cowell, telling Access Hollywood last month, "We worked together on Britain's Got Talent... I really like him. I think he's really cool. Now, obviously he's in town (Los Angeles) with The X Factor and we've started to hang out and we've become friends. I think he's a great guy."

Cowell has now opened up about t...

Los Angeles police have arrested a youth in connection with false emergency calls made about homes belonging to Justin Bieber and Ashton Kutcher. Last week detectives made a breakthrough in the investigation when they managed to track down the suspected perpetrator.

Police issued the following statement: "On December 10, 2012, Hollywood Detectives arrested a juvenile from the Southern California region for the Ashton Kutcher swatting incident, as well as a similar swatting incident that took place at the home of Justin Bieber. Other swatting incidents involving this individual have been id...

Simon Cowell is seeking a replacement for L.A. Reid on "The X Factor," and Rihanna and her on/again, off/again boyfriend Chris Brown are reportedly at the top of the list.

According to Aceshowbiz.com, a source explained, "Simon is a huge admirer of Rihanna and knows she's star quality. As well as bringing an aura to the panel thanks to her current standing in music, she is also feisty and will make great TV. Simon loves these sort of characters."

Rihanna broke up with Brown in 2009 after the hip hop star beat her up the night before the Grammy Awards. He performed community service and co...

Music mogul Simon Cowell is joining forces with his TV rival will.i.am to find the world's next technology giant.

The two stars faced off in a ratings war earlier this year, when Cowell's British version of The X Factor went head-to-head with the U.K.'s The Voice, which features will.i.am as a judge.

However, the pair is now putting the rivalry behind them in a bid to discover the next technology genius, according to Britain's The Sun newspaper.

The Black Eyed Peas hitmaker tells the publication, "We're working on a project called X Factor for Tech - and it's going to be out of this worl...

Sometimes celebrities do strange things, and Simon Cowell is one of them. The "X Factor" judge recently hired a psychic to "heal" his Los Angeles mansion.

Fans were stunned to learn Cowell employed a healer to purify his luxurious California home in order to get rid of any negative energy hanging around it.

The TV mogul explained his strange decision on Twitter: "I have to say the house healer did a great job. I did it because if you believe something can make you feel happier then try it.

"I wasn't trying to get rid of bad things but I believe your home should be peaceful. And two peopl...

Simon Cowell has praised actress/singer Demi Lovato for turning her life around after her stint in rehab.

The former child star checked into a clinic in 2010 to treat issues including bipolar disorder, self-harming and an eating disorder.

Earlier this year she began her new role as a judge on the U.S. version of Cowell's hit TV show The X Factor, and the media mogul has revealed he specifically targeted Lovato because of her 'Disney star gone bad' background.

He tells YoungHollywood.com, "I like the fact, with Demi, that she was this sort of Disney product who went bad, and knows that sh...

The number one show on both Wednesday and Thursday night last fall is back!

What’s that? You think I’m talking about something other than ‘The X Factor’? Well, you would be wrong. Despite all the negative press, the ratings catastrophe talk, and the presence (or utter non-presence) of Steve Jones, this show was the biggest hit of the fall.

So what did they do? They blew it up, of course! Gone is the aforementioned Jones as well as fun vacuum Nicole Scherzinger and pill vacuum Paula Abdul and here comes Britney Spears and Demi Lovato.

I think everyone was ready for the inevitable Britney ...

Mariah Carey makes her anticipated debut on "American Idol" this winter, but she originally approached Simon Cowell about joining him on the judging panel of "The X Factor."

Apparently, Cowell didn't want her on board. Instead, he advised she join the rival singing competition.

Ouch.

Cowell explained to In Touch magazine, "Mariah called me about X Factor and I met with her, but my main concern was that she might have found it harder on X Factor than on American Idol.

"Idol is a more gentle show and Mariah is not someone who wants to say 'no' to people... I think she'll have an easier ti...

As we reported earlier this month, Khloe Kardashian is the number-one pick to host the new season of "The X Factor." And the rumors of her possibly landing the gig are growing stronger.

The "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" star reportedly impressed FOX execs in her screen test, and producer/judge Simon Cowell also likes how she holds draws an audience.

Kardashian is the frontrunner on the list of possible female hosts, according to TMZ.com. The new season will start next month in a live show, so producers have little time to fill the spot.

A source told TMZ.com that there's an 85 perce...

Simon Cowell fears Britney Spears will be "devastated" after rival TV bosses decided to put her head-to-head with rival Christina Aguilera in a small screen ratings battle.

The music mogul has branded producers behind the U.S. version of The Voice "cold-hearted" for scheduling an extra episode of the TV talent show at the same time as the season premiere of his singing contest The X Factor next week.

The second season debut of the music mogul's Fox show, which features new judges Spears and Demi Lovato, is set to hit screens on Wednesday.

However, its launch could be overshadowed by a...

Khloe Kardashian may be headed to star in her fourth reality series if recent rumors are true; only this time there won't be any awkward brazilian waxing going on while her sisters look on or installing (and testing -- ick!) sex-swings with husband Lamar Odom.

The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star is reportedly on a short list of stars being "seriously considered" to replace Steve Jones as the host of The X Factor for its second season.

"I've always wanted to do hosting or talk show hosting, so it's definitely something that I would love to do and would be honored to do," she tells E! ...

Yesterday, Fox presented their new panel for The X-Factor to the Television Critics Association via satellite from their auditions in Miami. New judges Britney Spears and Demi Lovato joined Simon Cowell. Cowell had some choice words for Mariah Carey, joining his former show American Idol as a judge.

“I’m happy for her actually,” Cowell said, adding what he sees as her upcoming challenge. “I like Mariah. I think she’s going to find it difficult to say no. You’ve got to say no to people. She’s sweet but I think she’ll be great. I got wind of this last week so I knew it was going to happen.”
...

Fox network execs officially revealed yesterday that Demi Lovato and Britney Spears are the two new judges on "The X Factor" alongside Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid.

Cowell famously stepped down from "American Idol" to helm "The X Factor," and it had disappointing ratings in its first season. That led him to fire pal Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger from the judging panel. He snagged Demi and Britney, who will probably bring some new life to the show.

Jennifer Lopez, who has been judging "American Idol" for two seasons, has a little advice for Spears.

Lopez told Entertainment Tonight, "J...

Nicole Scherzinger was the hottest star on the red carpet at the "Men In Black III" premiere in Germany on Monday. She looked sensational in a form fitting purple dress that showed off her sexy curves. She wore large silver hoop earrings and black pumps.

In our opinion, she looked better than the newly announced "X Factor" judges Britney Spears and Demi Lovato. They appeared at the Fox network's upfronts in New York City on Monday, and Britney tweeted a photo of the two of them with Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid.

Scherzinger and Paula Abdul were kicked off "X Factor" last season after rating...

Britney Spears and Demi Lovato are officially joining Antonio "L.A." Reid and Simon Cowell on the judges panel of The X Factor.

The two pop stars were introduced at the Fox network's upfronts in New York City on Monday; and Britney tweeted a photo of the fabulous fall-season foursome.

Brit and Demi replace Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger, who were let go after the first season of the British import.

"I'm so excited about the whole experience," Britney told the Associated Press. "It's going to be so much fun and different from anything I've ever done. I'm ready to find the true star."
...

Demi Lovato has officially signed on to join Simon Cowell, Antonio "L.A." Reid and Britney Spears on the judging panel for the second season of The X Factor.

Lovato and Spears will replace judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger, who departed after just one season of the show.

TMZ.com broke the news Sunday evening and also reports that both singers will be in New York City on Monday to be introduced by FOX a the fall season Up Fronts.

The show's host, Steve Jones, was also let go at the end of season one, but he has yet to be replaced. Rumor has it Miley Cyrus wants the job and is bein...

Contrary to popular belief, Britney Spears' reported $15 million deal to judge talent on Simon Cowell music competition The X Factor hasn't happened yet.

E! Online erroneously reported on Wednesday that the "Toxic" singer had officially inked the deal - according to a source close to the show.

"The contract is signed," the source said. "There's been a lot of back and forth over the past few weeks as they negotiated the small details, but she's on. It's all completed and Britney is beyond excited."

But now, according to TMZ.com, there are still some minor details that have to be ironed ou...

Howard Stern has slammed Simon Cowell for reportedly hiring Britney Spears for The X Factor as he fears the fragile star will be a "train wreck" on the show.

Cowell is rumored to have signed Spears as a judge on the show in a reported $15 million deal, and although he is yet to confirmed the news, his America's Got Talent star Stern is already angry about the singer's appointment.

Stern is worried Spears, who famously suffered numerous public meltdowns, won't be able to take the pressure of such a high-profile TV role and will have little to contribute.

He tells Access Hollywood, "Bri...

Britney Spears is reportedly set to rake in $16 million as a judge on The X Factor, but the incredible amount isn't nearly enough to put her on top of TV's best paid list.

Assuming The X Factor has the same amount of episodes this season (26), Spears would pocket a bit over $615,000 an episode. That makes her the second highest paid per episode in primetime currently - Ashton Kutcher makes $700,000 an episode for Two and a Half Men. She is also far behind predecessor Charlie Sheen's whopping $1.2 million an episode. It would put her ahead of William Petersen's previous salary on CSI ($600,...

It's official - Britney Spears is joining the cast of Simon Cowell's musical talent show The X Factor after signing a $15 million deal.

The "Toxic" singer will sit alongside Cowell and Antonio 'L.A.' Reid on the judges panel according to E! Online.

"The contract is signed," a source tells the website. "There's been a lot of back and forth over the past few weeks as they negotiated the small details, but she's on. It's all completed and Britney is beyond excited."

Britney verbally agreed to the terms of the contract a few weeks ago, and several minor details had to be worked out before sh...

After last season's underwhelming ratings for "The X Factor," Simon Cowell cleaned house by removing Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger from the judging panel. He also kicked off host Steve Jones.

In an effort to compete with "American Idol," "The Voice," and other singing competitions on the horizon (including ABC's upcoming "Duets"), Cowell brought Britney Spears on board. Now he's reportedly offering a spot to Demi Lovato to judge alongside Spears, Cowell and L.A. Reid.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Lovato is in final negotiations for the job. Neither Fox execs nor Cowell have c...

British pop star-turned-TV talent show judge Tulisa Contostavlos has been voted the sexiest woman in the world by FHM magazine.

The former N-Dubz singer has seen her fame in the U.K. skyrocket thanks to her role as a panellist on Simon Cowell's British version of The X Factor, and now she has seen off competition from former judge Cheryl Cole to take the sexiest woman mantle in the men's magazine's annual poll.

Contostavlos says, "It's a true honor and definitely a lovely confidence boost. I'm proud of me and I am who I am... I wouldn't wanna be anything less or anything more, I'm just ...

Sharon Osbourne has accused Simon Cowell of dragging her into his "world of debauchery" after their explosive The X Factor arguments were included in his latest biography.

The music mogul gave insider access to investigative journalist Tom Bowers as he wrote new book Sweet Revenge: The Intimate Life Of Simon Cowell.

The Osbourne matriarch declined to be interviewed for the tell-all book and is now furious after learning the tome suggests she "exploded" with rage over Cowell's fling with Dannii Minogue while they were judges on Britain's The X Factor.

Osbourne is adamant she knew all a...

Nicole Scherzinger has thrown her support behind Britney Spears as her potential replacement on The X Factor, insisting she is always "rooting" for the singer "no matter what."

The Pussycat Dolls star was initially hired to host Simon Cowell's show, but was drafted onto the judging panel to replace British pop star Cheryl Cole, who was axed during the early stages of the contest.

Scherzinger exited the show at the end of the first season, along with fellow judge Paula Abdul, and Cowell is rumored to be close to signing the Toxic hit-maker to take over in a massive $15 million deal.

Th...

Britney Spears is close to finalizing a $15 million deal to serve as the new superstar judge on Simon Cowell's talent show The X Factor, according to online reports.

The "Toxic" hitmaker has been rumored to be in talks to take a seat alongside Cowell and producer Antonio "L.A." Reid on the panel for weeks and now insiders claim the big announcement is imminent.

Spears is said to be ready to sign on the dotted line after being offered a $15 million payday - after she reportedly turned down $10 million.

A source tells E! Online, "Both camps were back and forth on the money but now they hav...

Simon Cowell has been hit by a lawsuit over the name of his big hit boy band One Direction.

A U.S. group with the same name is suing Cowell's company Syco Entertainment and Sony Music claiming fans and the media are getting confused as to which band is which.

The case in point: a track by the American version of One Direction was played on the Today show last week before a performance by Cowell's invading Brits.

The lesser known One Direction, who don't even have a record label, now want $1 million in damages from Cowell's company and Sony bosses.

An attorney for America's One Direc...