Finally! After a whirlwind of rumors and speculations, Fox has confirmed the final lineup of judges for the X Factor next season.
Joining show producer, Simon Cowell, and the lone surviving judge from last season, Demi Lovato, are two other superstars: Kelly Rowland and Paulina Rubio. The two will be representing different genres to complete the four-man panel.
Since the announcement broke that former judge Britney Spears and LA Reid would not be coming back, rumors on the new judges started circulating the net. Rumored judges to take the vacant seats included Cheryl Cole, Katy Perry and Miley Cyrus, but somehow, not one of these three was able to nab the spot.
Now, Fox has confirmed that Rowland and Rubio are set to sign the deal as judges for season three on Monday. This will also be the very first time in a US broadcasted singing competition that a panel will have a majority of female judges. As to whether this new setup will work has yet to be seen.
Aiming for a diverse range of audiences, the judges will cater to different age group and genres. Demi Lovato, at just 20 years old, has millions of 'Lovatics' that are ready to support her all throughout. The pop star was also reported to have helped X Factor's ratings last year, helping her seal a seat at the panel. Rowland, the former Destiny's Child member, will lean towards the R&B side of things--a part that was not much represented in the past seasons. Rubio will be repping both Latin and Dance music. Simon, on the other hand, will be bringing both experience and charm to the show. Expect him to be the quirky, evil one that he is on the show.
"It's taken more than a decade but I'm delighted to finally be on a panel with three girls," Cowell told Entertainment Weekly. "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. It just feels like the time to do something different."
Both Rowland and Rubio are also very excited to join the US TV show. Rowland, also a judge on X Factor UK, said that she is very excited to join the panel and to be reunited with Cowell.
Rubio also showed her excitement for the upcoming season. A former judge of the Mexican version of The Voice, the singer said she loves X Factor and is "thrilled to be part of the show."
The X Factor USA will be returning on air in the Fall, on Fox.