Rihanna To Judge 'The X Factor'? Simon Cowell To Pursue Pop Singer
Music executive L.A. Reid announced he would not be returning to "The X Factor: USA" for Season 4 next year. Now the show's creator Simon Cowell has his eye on a mega-star to replace him.
According to a report, Cowell is eyeing pop singer Rihanna to join the program either in the U.S. or in Britain to help increase the show's sagging viewership.
A source told British newspaper The Sun that Cowell feels that the "Diamonds" singer would make a great choice because of her success and the fact that she's "feisty."
"Simon loves these sorts of characters," the source reportedly told The Sun. "Simon is a huge admirer of Rihanna and knows she's star quality. As well as her bringing an aura to the panel thanks to her standing in music, she is also feisty."
Cowell spends every Christmas in Barbados, and the "We Found Love" singer is a native of the Caribbean island and is scheduled to spend the holidays there as well. The source adds that Cowell will pursue Rihanna in her hometown to discuss the opportunity of replacing Reid.
Daily Mail reports that "The X Factor" in the U.K. has attracted less viewers this season than last year.
The news of interest in the Bajan beauty comes amid a report that Cowell will meet with the show's producers in January to discuss new strategies to revamp the show.
The Guardian reports that Cowell has been called into a "crisis summit," an urgent meeting which will focus on new ways to help increase ratings. The U.K. show's finale drew 11 million viewers last week, making it the show's least-watched finale since 2006. During its peak, it averaged over 14 million viewers every week two years ago and garnered over 20 million for the season finale.
"There is not one element we will not be looking at carefully -- from judges and start times to auditions and glitzy productions," executive producer Richard Holloway told the Guardian.
He revealed that Cowell might possibly return as a judge for "The X Factor UK," after judging the first 3 seasons of the US edition. "I'd love him to come back. He's the best judge in the world, Never say never! If we can find a way to reintroduce him, we will. But it is impossible for him to be in two places. t's about who the judges will be next year. Do we reformat the show? Do we introduce a new element?"
A spokesman declined to comment on the show's ratings decline, but told The Guardian that "The X Factor" finale is still the highest-rated program on U.K. TV since the Olympics.
