Kelly Rowland 'X Factor' USA 2013 Judge Confirmed Along with Paulina Rubio; Singers Join Simon Cowell on Rebooted Show
Kelly Rowland and Paulina Rubio are the new X Factor judges for its third season.
Rowland and Rubio will join Demi Lovato and Simon Cowell as judges on the singing competition on Fox this fall, it was confirmed Monday. Cowell released a statement in which he declared his happiness that this would be the first time in a decade that he is on a panel with three women. He felt that this new lineup would be something different that the show needed.
"Paulina and Kelly both have great taste and massive experience in the music industry and together with Demi, this is going to be a fun panel," Cowell said.
Rowland was previously a judge on the UK's version of The X Factor for its eighth season. The former Destiny's Child star said she was excited to reunite with Cowell and she was ready to make her mark in her home country as a judge.
"It feels great to be able to take this journey here at home in the states!" Rowland said.
Rubio sounded as if she were ready to conquer Cowell. The Mexico-born singer gave her fellow judge a warning.
"Simon, be careful what you wish for, let's see if you are ready to handle me, empieza la fiesta, amigo!" Rubio said.
The translation is "the party begins, friend" and for Cowell, there has been a delayed celebration. He launched The X Factor in September 2011 and promised big ratings, but they never materialized.
Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger were fired and Britney Spears and Lovato were brought on as replacement judges. Mario Lopez and Khloe Karsdahian were also hired as the host's, but the ratings fell to even new lows. Spears, Kardashian and L.A. Reid were all confirmed as not returning to the show. Earlier this month, a source said Cowell learned a lesson about big names and even bigger paychecks. He reportedly told the staff that he was more interested in chemistry for the new season.
"He said all these shows have become distracted by signing celebrities rather than judges who really have something to say," the source said. "We have all seen that big names don't translate into big ratings. Chemistry is top of the list of demands for next season."
