X-Factor

Britney Spears greeted fans and posed for photos outside of the Greensboro Coliseum yesterday. She's in North Carolina for the last round of X Factor auditions and will be back on the judging panel again today. Britney was joined by fellow judges Demi Lovato, Simon Cowell, who traveled from overseas by private jet, and L.A. Reid. Before work got started, Demi shared on Twitter, "So excited to be in North Carolina!!!!"

Britney's been on the go lately, juggling her X Factor duties with family time. Last week, she and fiancé Jason Trawick took Sean Preston and Jayden James to Hawaii, where they celebrated the Fourth of July. They also spent time by the pool with Britney showing off her bikini body alongside her boys. She may not be in the running for our bikini bracket title, but you can vote for your other favorites and be entered to win $500 at Neiman Marcus.

Britney Spears, Simon Cowell, Demi Lovato, and LA Reid rolled into Providence today with a supersized entourage. The X Factor judges are in Rhode Island until Friday, taping live auditions. Britney stepped out in her latest sexy bandage dress while Demi arrived in a printed frock and leather vest. The panel are back on the road seeking out hot new talent after a short break in their schedule. Britney hung out in Malibu with sons Sean Preston and Jayden James, as well as her fiancé, Jason Trawick, over the weekend. The X Factor gang has a brief hiatus next week before continuing the search for America's next singing sensation in Greensboro, NC, on July 8.

Britney Spears made the latest stop with The X Factor in Kansas City, MO, today. Britney flashed a wide smile as she stepped out of her SUV, and across the street, dozens of local fans greeted her with cheers. Britney first joined her fellow judges Demi Lovato, Simon Cowell, and L.A. Reid in NYC last month to officially confirm her new role on the reality competition series. Shortly after, the foursome hit the road in search of singing talent.

The first round of auditions for the upcoming season were held in Austin, TX. Britney sported a peekaboo hot pink number for her first day on the judging panel, but today, she went with a more demure neutral print and nude platform heels. The past year has been full of milestones for Britney, from her new TV gig to her engagement to Jason Trawick. Let us know how you think her professional and personal successes stack up to her fellow celebrities' in this year's PopSugar 100 faceoff game for the chance to win $2,500!

It's official: Britney Spears and Demi Lovato are your new X Factor judges. The ladies stepped out in NYC today at Fox's upfront presentation for the official announcement that Britney and Demi are joining the show. Rumors started swirling months ago about Britney's involvement and a reported $15 million contract, but no confirmations were made until today. Returning judge Simon Cowell took the stage together before bringing out the rest of his team, saying, "I'm thrilled to be able to confirm the return of L.A. Reid, the addition of Demi Lovato and the superstar Britney Spears."

Britney made a brief cameo in a sexy white minidress and posed for photos with Demi and the guys. Before leaving the stage, Britney chimed in about her judging role: "I am so excited about this . . . I'm ready to find the true star." The second season of X Factor returns this Fall, but will you tune in to see Britney and Demi?

Simon Cowell arrived in style for last night's screening of his new TV show, The X Factor, stepping out of his custom-built black Rolls-Royce to greet screaming fans at LA's ArcLight theater. He was the last judge to arrive on the red carpet and promptly received a kiss from his good friend Paula Abdul. X Factor reunites former American Idol judges Simon and Paula and introduces new faces L.A. Reid and Nicole Scherzinger and super-hot host Steve Jones, who's well known in the UK as a presenter. We were on hand for last night's exclusive screening of the first two episodes, which begin Sept. 21, and were happy to see Paula and Simon's infamous chemistry back in full force. L.A. adds his producing and songwriting expertise to the judging panel, while Nicole has a fresh point of view due to her years of touring the globe as a solo artist and with The Pussycat Dolls. Following the screening, the judges answered questions from fans, and according to Simon, he's finally "met his match" in fellow judge L.A. Here's more:

• Simon on comparing the US to UK audiences: "They [the US] have an amazing musical knowledge . . . they were very tough on us at times when we didn't love somebody. I thought there were moments when we were going to get mauled when the audience disagreed with us. The American audience is tougher than the UK audience."
• Steve on hanging backstage with contestants: "[One contestant] said I wear too much makeup and I'm nothing but a stretched Ryan Seacrest. And I was like, [sarcasm] 'Well, best of luck with your audition.'"
• Paula on changing the lives of contestants: "It's an overwhelming feeling, it's a blessing to see and to feel what other people feel when they're getting that moment. It's awe inspiring. Don't take it for granted."
• On major arguments over contestants:
  Simon: "I'm going to let you in on a little secret: when certain girls came to audition, if they were too attractive they were known as DOA, in other words dead on arrival, and from that, Nicole was christened Sylvester, from Sylvester the Cat, and Paula became Tom, from Tom and Jerry. So we had to fight, me and L.A., to keep the attractive girls in the competition because Sylvester and Tom didn't want them in the competition and that's where, true story, most of the arguments came from. L.A., will you back me up on that?"
  L.A.: "True story."
• Simon on what the "X Factor" is: "When someone is brilliant it's a no-brainer. Where it got tricky, as I said before, when other factors came into play, and that's where you needed myself and L.A. Reid to be fair and balanced. I got things back on track, but that's pretty much the only time we argued."
• Simon on expanding the age range of contestants: "[Joking with Paula] This show is all about giving older women a second chance."