Ne-Yo X-Factor Judge: Singer in Talks to Join Panel, Replace Britney Spears or L.A. Reid
There was much chatter on the Grammy Awards red carpet from the performances, celebrity fashion and even about the recent shake-ups at the X-Factor. R&B singer Ne-Yo, signed under Motown Records and Compound Entertainment, shared with Ryan Seacrest that he is currently in talks to become a judge on the FOX reality TV show.
Though the news looks promising, Ne-Yo warned Seacrest – who is a host on rival American Idol—not to get his hopes up just yet in the interview.
“It’s conversation. Nothing is set in stone right yet. It’s talks”, he told Seacrest at the 55th Annual Grammy awards on Sun. Feb. 10.
The Let Me Love You singer said he had a few meetings with the producers of the show.
“There’s been a few lunches and dinners, but that’s all I can say right now.”
If the deal goes through, the 33-year-old would replace Britney Spears or music exec L.A. Reid who announced their departures from the singing competition in 2012. The show is undergoing a major overhaul after the second seasons of the singing competition failed to boost ratings.
Britney Spears left behind a $15 million salary after she failed to drum up any controversy or interest in her being a judge on the show. X-Factor lost 3 million regular viewers after the first season. Fans and TV critics found Spears bland and boring. L.A. Reid is also out as judge as he is returning to work as head of Epic Records full-time.
As a successful recording artist and a talented producer Ne-Yo could be the added touch to get the show back on its feet. Ne-Yo’s debut album In My Own Words shot to the top of the charts in 2006 with over 300,000 records sold. Over the course of his career the R&B singer has sold over 8 million albums and 23 million singles worldwide.
Ne-Yo, real name Shaffer Chimere Smith, was nominated for Best Dance Recording for his song, Let’s Go with DJ and producer, Calvin Harris at this year’s Grammy Awards.
