Britney and her team have arrived for another day of X Factor Bootcamp in Miami.

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Posted by Kevin on 26 Jul 2012 / Comment now at Pop Prodigy

Here's the full transcript (Britney's answers and parts about her) of the Telecast which took place in Miami earlier this week.

Question: Britney, it was obviously big news that you were joining the show, with headlines all over the world. What went into your decision-making process about joining The X Factor, as a judge?
Britney: Well, actually, I’d seen the show a couple of times, and I was such a fan of the show, and my make-up artist was the make-up artist for Simon. We talked about it a couple of times, when I was on tour, but really never took it seriously until she went back and started working for him. And then, we just all met up, and it made sense. I adore Simon, and it was something I really wanted to do.

Question: Simon, what is it that Britney brings to the show?
Simon: I’m not going to lie about this. I’ve always said that the number one person I wanted on one of these shows was Britney because I was fascinated with her, as a person and as a pop star. There’s something intriguing about her. I didn’t know her as a person, and I thought it would be interesting to have her on one of these shows, so you could see another side of her. And she’s a really, really good judge.

Question: Britney, having done this a bit now, what do you know about this process now that you didn’t know before signing on?
Britney: Well, I just feel like, being with Simon and L.A. [Reid] and Demi [Lovato], just the team that we are together, makes it so much fun to do the show. It’s inspiring to be around people like that, and it’s made it a lot of fun for me.
Simon: Britney’s quite mean, which you’ll discover. Everyone thinks she’s just a sweetheart.

Question: Britney, what other reality or competition shows have you watched and enjoyed?
Britney: American Idol, in the beginning.

Question: How much job security do the judges on your show have?
Simon: Not much. No one really has any job security anymore, including myself. You’re at the hands of the audience who watch the shows. We’ve always made a point, on these shows, of changing whenever we think it’s necessary. For certain reasons, we thought, even though the girls did a great job last year, that we needed a change. We were learning as we went along, last year. But, I don’t envision this changing for awhile. We all seem to be getting along really well. The panel works. The girls seem happy. I’ve got my buddy, L.A., back. We’re having a good time.

Question: How is your relationship with Britney Spears and Demi Lovato?
Simon: Well, you will see this on the show. They are harder to please than me or L.A. They’re very, very happy with telling people, “No.” They’ve definitely got their own opinions, but that’s why we hired them. The fact that Britney has been successful for so many years is a testament to her star power. And I’ve thought for the last of couple years that Demi is one of the hottest new artists around, at the moment. So, unfortunately, I have to agree with them, some of the time.

Question: Britney, how does The X-Factor boot camp compare to Mouseketeer boot camp?
Britney: It’s quite similar, in the fact that we did have a big call, for all of us together. We got in line and we each auditioned. I actually didn’t get to see the other auditions, but we went in individually, and it was a lot of fun. I think this is a little bit more on the upscale of things because it’s a TV show, and we weren’t on television when we were doing The Mickey Mouse Club auditions.

Question: These shows have a habit of exposing a side of people that we rarely get to see, and we get to learn a little bit more about them, in a more intimate way. What have you learned, going through this experience, and what do you think some of the misconceptions may be still about you?
Britney: This show has been really good for me to do because I’ve been able to help this talent come in and achieve their dream, and I can relate to them on such a level because I started out at such a young age. I know the foundation and the depth of what you go through, in achieving your dream and doing this. So, being able to do this has been a great, great experience for me.

Question: It’s been said that, as a judge, you’re tough but fair. Since you’re still a current recording artist, are you tough on them because you’re maybe evaluating some of the upcoming competition?
Britney: I think it’s just based on who I am and my personality. In everyday life, I’m just a very honest person.

Question: Can you give us an idea of some of the things you like and don’t like, in music?
Britney: Well, I’m actually a huge fan of hip-hop. I like hip-hop music. I love rap. I like cabaret music, as well. I just love live music and bands.

Question: When you were coming up, what was the most piercing or harsh criticism that you ever received, and did it help you or hurt you?
Britney: In this industry, there are so many auditions that you go on, and there are so many that you don’t get, and some that you do get. It’s just the way of the industry, and you just have to learn from it.

Question: What does being a part of The X Factor do for your career?
Britney: I’ve done eight tours and I’ve been in the music industry for awhile, and I just really feel like being able to be on a show where I can give back and help people achieve their dream is just really interesting to me. It’s really different from anything I’ve ever done. It’s purely just on the fact that I love the show.

Question: Do you think this show is as much about the judges, as it is the talent?
Britney: I think it’s about the talent, definitely, and a little bit of us.


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Posted by Kevin on 26 Jul 2012 / Comment now at Pop Prodigy

Britney, wearing pink jeans and a blazer, and Jason were spotted in Miami again today.

Britney is filming more footage for The X Factor Bootcamp.

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Posted by Kevin on 25 Jul 2012 / Comment now at Pop Prodigy

Posted by AJ on 25 Jul 2012 / Comment now at Pop Prodigy

An interesting article comparing Britney to Elvris Presley has been published at EW.com. In some ways, it's true that there're similarities between the two at certain points in their careers.

Watching Britney Spears address the country’s critics at the Television Critics Association’s press tour In Los Angeles, I was struck once again by how much she reminds me of an unlikely forebear: Elvis Presley. Spears, speaking alongside Simon Cowell, Demi Lovato, and LA Reid, looked nervous and self-conscious, fidgeting with a ring on her finger, allowing a Southern drawl to become more pronounced in her voice, and trying to avoid any answer that could be construed as being negative or controversial about the show she was joining as a judge.

Like Elvis, Britney has long underestimated — at least in public — her own intelligence and her own best instincts, and uses an instinctive mixture of politeness, nervousness, and a blank-mask facial expressions in an effort to present herself as humble and mild, everything her music contradicts. Like Elvis, Britney’s early-career enthusiasm and earned confidence has been drained from her by fame, relentless media exposure, and whatever personal difficulties or demons have plagued her.

The result is that, again like Elvis in his post 1960s career, Britney has not merely been underrated or dismissed: She’s been ridiculed as “over,” as hopelessly unhip. (This latter charge arose again on Monday when Spears was asked what music she likes and she said she enjoyed “rap,” her remarks on hiphop sounding like someone who may have heard the Sugarhill Gang a few times.)

But the few clips from the upcoming season of X-Factor suggest that Spears may be sparked by interaction with contestants, and that her avid identification with young performers and passionate performances may make her a worthy, even insightful, judge.

And while obviously I’m not saying that Spears is the artist Presley was, I will suggest that X-Factor judging is something Presley might have done, had a show like this existed when he was in his 30s (Presley died at age 42): Instead of doing an endless round of Las Vegas performances, Presley might have found the glitz of X-Factor just as alluring, with the added appeal of enabling him to sit at a table with a big cup of Coke instead of lumbering through karate moves in a fringed jumpsuit.

In any case, while many of my colleagues at the TCA event came away from the X-Factor press conference consigning Britney to blitzed oblivion, I left the press conference feeling interest and hope for Spears: I want her to come out TCB.


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Posted by Kevin on 24 Jul 2012 / Comment now at Pop Prodigy

The X Factor Bootcamp officially started in Miami, yesterday.

Today is day 2 and Britney was seen on her way to the studios wearing the same outfit as yesterday (just like for the auditions).

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Posted by Kevin on 24 Jul 2012 / Comment now at Pop Prodigy

Fox’s “X Factor” introduced new judges Britney Spears and Demi Lovato to the media Monday, and the message was clear: This year, gosh darnit, we’re having fun.

Spears and Lovato didn’t say that themselves. They mostly talked with great tact about how happy they are to be on the show.

“I can’t believe the opportunity,” said Lovato, who said she always adored head judge and show mastermind Simon Cowell.

“For me, this is a chance to give back and help young talent realize their dreams,” said Spears.

Okay. But the early trailer reel showed Spears telling one particular young talent that he or she really seemed to have no talent at all.

In case anyone misses that there’s incoming attitude, Spears’ introductory promotional shot has her wielding a batlike object and smashing a pane of glass.

Tabloid fans will remember her similar move a couple of years back in a less scripted situation, after she shaved off her hair.

It is now long and blond again.

Lovato, meanwhile, is shown in the trailer talking to a contestant. Cowell interrupts her and she tells him to be quiet until she has finished.

Don’t mind him, she tells the contestant. “He’s old and impatient.”

Several live exchanges between Lovato and Cowell Monday also suggested that it will be a running motif for her to play the age card.

The 52-year-old Cowell joked at one point that he’s in his 30s. The 19-year-old Lovato shot back, “a hundred and thirties.”

Cowell clearly didn’t mind these kind of exchanges, and he seemed to relish the fact that in early auditions, Lovato and Spears have both been tough judges.

“They’re harder to please than [fourth judge] L.A. [Reid] and me,” he said. “Britney’s quite mean.”

“Honest,” said Lovato.

One of the criticisms of last year’s “X Factor,” which didn’t reach the ratings Cowell had hoped, was that judges Nicole Scherzinger and particularly Paula Abdul were too nice.

They were subsequently sacked, replaced by Spears and Lovato.

Cowell praised last year’s team, but says that “even though they did a great job, we felt we needed a change.”

Fox Entertainment president Kevin Reilly was blunt in his appreciation of the new kids.

“People will be surprised at how feisty Britney is,” Reilly says. “And Demi took on Simon on day one. She’s a spitfire.”

On the subject of hosts, which “X Factor” doesn’t have since Steve Jones’ deal was not renewed, Cowell said he’d like “a boy and a girl.”

Ideally, he said, “It would be someone who hasn’t been a host before.”

He said candidates are being interviewed now and he expects an announcement by “the middle of August.”

Source: NYDailyNews.com


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Posted by Kevin on 24 Jul 2012 / Comment now at Pop Prodigy

The X Factor USA just Tweeted this new picture of the judges and producers.

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Posted by Kevin on 23 Jul 2012 / Comment now at Pop Prodigy

Here're the first X Factor promotional photos! Click to enlarge.

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Posted by Kevin on 23 Jul 2012 / Comment now at Pop Prodigy

All four X Factor judges held a live Telecast from Miami as part of The Telivision Critics Association event.

Here's a full recap of what went on from LFPress.com:

Simon Cowell says Britney Spears is "as sweet as a lemon."

Clips from the new season of The X Factor feature Spears saying things such as "You can't destroy that song," "Predictable," and "Bad to the bone," when addressing presumably crushed contestants.

But Spears, of course, has a different take on Cowell's fruit-focused evaluation.

"In everyday life I'm just very honest person," Spears said. "It's just based on who I am."

Well, all four members of The X Factor's season-two judging team - Cowell, Spears, Demi Lovato and L.A. Reid - appeared via satellite at the Television Critics Association tour Monday. If first impressions mean anything, it's going to be a very intriguing conversation when the second season of the show debuts Sept. 12 on Fox and CTV.

"It's different from anything I've ever done," Spears said. "I've done eight tours. I've been in the music industry for a while. But I'm glad to be on a show where I can give something back and help someone achieve their dreams."

Being on these types of shows isn't bad for the careers of the judges either, nudge nudge, wink wink.

"That's not my intention," Spears said. "It's just purely the fact I love the show."

Lovato was described by Cowell as a "brat" both on Monday and a few weeks ago when he visited CTV in Toronto. Lovato has battled an eating disorder and she was asked if that gives her a unique perspective on young aspiring talent.

"I definitely take that into consideration when I judge," Lovato said. "My little sister is in the industry and I worry about her all the time.

"You can't prevent anyone from going down the wrong road. If they're going to have an eating disorder, they're going to have an eating disorder. I don't think fame has a lot to do with it. I think it adds some pressure and sometimes it makes the problem a little bit worse.

"But for me, I had been struggling with those issues beforehand. Unless you're in a good place when you start working, I think it's kind of inevitable for these things to happen."

Pretty insightful for someone who's 19.

"We needed someone younger, because I'm in my 30s," quipped Cowell, 52.

There has been quite a revolving door lately with judges on singing competition shows. Mariah Carey officially joined American Idol on Monday.

"I'm happy for her, I like Mariah," Cowell said. "She's sweet. But I think she's going to find it difficult to say no."

For Spears and Lovato that won't be a problem.

When Cowell accused Spears of being "mean," Lovato jumped in and said, "We're going to gang up on you now. You're going to have two girls."

"I've had it," Cowell snapped back. It took a few seconds for the double-meaning to kick in and laughter filled the room.

"Who's ready for the next season of The X factor?" a smiling Lovato added.

Everyone.


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Posted by Kevin on 23 Jul 2012 / Comment now at Pop Prodigy