Britney Spears quits X Factor

OHMYGOSSIP — Britney Spears is waving goodbye to X Factor USA. The singer — who was a judge on the second series of the FOX reality TV show alongside Simon Cowell, Demi Lovato and L.A. Reid — decided not to return to the next season of the singing contest because she wants to concentrate on her own music career.

“Britney loves Simon, she likes Demi Lovato but her thing is music,” a source said.

Britney — who was on a one-year $15 million contract and whose act Carly Rose made it to December’s grand final — is currently in the studio working on her eighth studio album and after she completes the LP, the mother-of-two is considering going on tour again.

Previous reports claimed Spears was going to be fired from the show because she’s too expensive and didn’t bring in enough extra viewers.

“Producers were hoping to pull in between 15-20 million viewers but the show hasn’t reached those expectations and in a recent episode that clashed with the World Series only 5.7 million watched,” a source said.

“Those numbers add up to cost cutting and Britney will be expendable. So, considering Fox has already renewed The X Factor for a third season, producers will be looking to spend less on the production of the show, including the judges’ salaries.

“Britney, who was signed on a one-year deal, is the first person who will be expected to have her salary chopped. She is on a $15 million contract, which is absurd given that there’s been no huge surge in the ratings.

“Problem is, when Britney signed that contract she expected to make more if an extension for a third season was agreed. That won’t be the case now, and it is highly unlikely Britney will accept a pay decrease. It just doesn’t make sense to spend all that money on Britney when Simon Cowell will undoubtedly be able to find another high-profile judge to replace her at a fraction of the cost.”

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