The second season of “The X Factor” began Wednesday night with the long-awaited premiere of its two new judges, Britney Spears and Demi Lovato. The two ladies joined the returning judges, Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid.
The two new judges’ careers jump started at an early age, but took off in two different directions. Britney Spears, an American singer, songwriter, producer, dancer, actress and entertainer, appeared for the first time on national television as an addition to the Mickey Mouse Club on Disney Channel. In 2009 Billboard Magazine called Spears the second-best selling act of the 2000s, exclusively based on album sales in addition to the 8th overall greatest act of the decade based on album sales and chart success. In 1997, Britney signed her first recording contract with Jive, releasing her debut album, “…Baby One More Time”. Later came another success with the release of her album, “Oops! I Did It Again”, which made her well-known as a pop icon and accredited for influencing the renewal of teen pop in the late 1990s. In her entire career, Spears has sold over 80 million records worldwide.
Along with Spears, Lovato has made her mark on teen pop music and continues to still stay on top of the Billboard charts. Growing up, Demi won numerous talent contests and performed in famous locations, including theEismannCenterand the Dallas Cowboys’ Thanksgiving Day Halftime Show with LeAnn Rimes. She started her entertain career at the solemn age of 10, when she became a regular on the children’s show, “Barney & Friends” in 1992. Demi began working with Disney Channel in 2007, as a part in the short television show, “As the Bell Rings”. Her role ended in 2008 when she was casted as the lead role in the Disney Channel movie, “CampRock” as “Mitchie Torres”. Demi released many albums after her overnight stardom including several with her co-stars from “CampRock”, The Jonas Brothers. One of her first albums, “Don’t Forget” was launched to number two on the Billboard 200 charts. Both pop icons suffered through difficult times, including enrolling themselves into rehab for severe depression. Despite their ups and downs both stars have made outstanding come-backs in their careers.
When asked to explain what the two new additions add to the show, Cowell was typically fulsome with his praise: “I always said the number one person I always wanted on one of these shows was Britney because I was fascinated with her as a person and as a pop star — there’s something intriguing about her. I didn’t know her as a person, and I thought it would be interesting to have her on one of these shows so you see another side of her. She’s a really, really good judge. Demi … is a brat.” After letting Demi have her minute of outrage, Cowell added, “But there’s something really likeable about her as well. And I think the show, because it has such a young audience, it needed someone younger — because I’m in my 30s.” “Add about 100,” Lovato interrupted showing some of the teasing that obviously features regularly in their interactions.
Simon later did add that Britney is ‘quite mean’ as a judge, then elaborated, “They are harder to please than me orL.A.They’re very, very happy these two people, giving people ‘no’. They have definitely got their own opinions, but that’s why we hired them. The fact that Britney’s been successful for so many years is a testament to her star power, and Demi, I’ve thought for the last couple years is one of the hottest new artists around at the moment. So I have to, unfortunately, agree with them some of the time.”
In my opinion, Demi Lovato and Britney Spears were ideal choices for judges. Both are extremely talented and know how to keep a long-term career. Despite the recording artists’ down points in their career, they have come back on top and still are dominating the charts. The show’s success rate is going through the roof due to the harsh judging combined with the lively mood given off when the judges interact with one another. Don’t forget to watch the X-Factor live Wednesday nights on Fox!
