As rumored, Britney Spears will not be returning to the X Factor next season, but it won’t be because she was fired by Simon Cowell. The pop princess announced that she is quitting the show to focus on her music career.

Oh, that’s what they all say. What? It is! I’m not making it up. I kid. But seriously, who ditches $15 million to sit and nod? OK, I’ll stop now! Either way, there will be another empty seat next to the one L.A. Reid left vacant. No word on if Demi Lovato has signed on for another season. But I’m sure she has since she’s the only one I hoped would get canned. Sigh.

TV Guide says that Britney quit the show to avoid being fired. But in the same story, quoted Fox’s Kevin Reilly saying Britney was a success to the show.

“I thought it went very, very well,” Reilly said. “It was fraught with unknowns, and I think Britney did a very good job. People are fascinated with her and always will be. Last year the ratings were a little bit higher, but I think it was a better show this year. I think she tucked in really nicely on the bench.”

What do you make of all this? Will you miss Britney on the panel? Who would be a good replacement?

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Here we go. Time to start the X Factor judges rumor mill. As if the show wasn’t annoying enough, the post-season judge drama continues. First we learned that L.A. Reid was out and now reports are coming in that Britney Spears has been ditched by Simon Cowell and won’t be a part of X Factor 2013.

That should come as no surprise as I’m pretty sure it’s safe to say the show will be a revolving door of judges every season. And since Britney did almost nothing to earn her $15 million paycheck, her departure really shouldn’t surprise anyone.

“[Simon] wanted crazy Britney, but he got boring Britney,” a source told US Weekly, according to the Los Angeles Times.

There’s been no confirmation on Britney’s departure, but I think it’s probably more than just a rumor. As for Demi Lovato, there have been no rumors yet. But her bickering with Simon and outspoken attitude (and much lower paycheck) might keep her around for another season. As much as these stories kill me to report, we’ll keep you updated.

What did you think of Britney as a judge? Would you miss her as a judge and mentor?

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Open call audition events will be held in Los Angeles, CA, Charleston, SC, New Orleans, LA, Long Island, NY, and Denver, CO. Exact dates and times are still pending, but we’ll update the site with those details as they become available.

Online auditions for X Factor 2013 will also be available and can be submitted starting today, December 13th, at TheXFactorUSA.com.

All it takes to apply is to be at least twelve years old and either a solo act or as part of a group. Good luck! We hope to see you on the X Factor Season 3 stage!

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