Cowell vows to “kick butt” with new “Factor” stars

(Reuters) – Britney Spears and former Disney Channel

star Demi Lovato officially joined the U.S. version of “The X Factor” on Monday, leading creator Simon

Cowell to pledge the second season would “seriously kick butt” when it returns in

September.

Spears, 30, the world’s biggest pop phenomenon of the 2000s, and

Lovato, 19, will fill the judge’s slots left open by Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger, who were both

fired by Cowell after a disappointing first season in 2011.

Spears and Lovato appeared with

Cowell and fellow judge Antonio “L.A” Reid at Fox television’s presentation of its new 2012-13 season

programming to advertisers in New York.

The announcement ended months of speculation over the

new faces on the singing contest, which offers a $5 million recording contract to a new star found from

tens of thousands of ordinary Americans.

“We’ve delivered. Rumors are one thing but we’ve

delivered,” a delighted Cowell said. Moments earlier he Tweeted a photo of himself with record producer

Reid, Spears and Lovato, saying “Can’t believe it’s finally happening. Very exciting!”

Spears

found fame as a 16-year-old in 1998 with her debut single “Baby One More Time” and went on to score

multiple hits with songs like “Crazy”, “Oops I Did It Again” and “Womanizer.” She had a much-publicized

personal and career meltdown in 2007, but made a comeback with her 2008 album “Circus” and a world

tour.

“I’m so excited by this whole experience. It’s so different from anything I’ve ever

done,” Spears said in New York.

Lovato starred in the Disney Channel’s TV series “Sonny With a

Chance” before launching a career as a pop singer with hit singles like “Skyscraper”.

“Demi’s

had an amazing career in music, TV and film for someone her age. She’s young, confident and

enthusiastic. I think it’s really important that she speaks to our younger audience,” Cowell said in a

statement.

Fox gave no details of their contracts, but Spears is widely reported to be getting

$15 million for a single season, which would make her one of the highest-paid TV reality show

judges.

Cowell launched the U.S. version of “X Factor” last September with great fanfare and

boasts that it would topple aging “American Idol” as America’s most-watched TV show.

But “X

Factor” mustered only about 13 million viewers – around half the audience for “American Idol” – and

many critics disliked its brash, noisy production and felt it added little that was new to the crowded

TV singing contest field.

“The X Factor” faces further challenges in its second season following

NBC’s decision to air its hit singing contest “The Voice” in the fall of 2012, as well as the

spring.

Cowell said on Monday that other changes were being made to the show but gave no

details.

“This year we’re going to seriously kick butt. I’m thrilled ‘The Voice’ is going to

compete with us, but second’s not great,” the acid-tongued Briton said in New York.

Fox and

Cowell have yet to announce a new host after firing little-known Briton Steve Jones in January. Cowell

has said he would like two hosts – a man and a woman – but no names have yet emerged.

(Reporting

By Yinka

Adegoke and Jill

Serjeant; Editing by Christine

Kearney and Bob

Tourtellotte)