Britney Spears said to be leaving 'X Factor'

By August Brown

Jan. 10, 2013 12 AM PT

Britney Spears promised to dance until the world ended, but a more appropriate chorus hook might be “Keep on dancing ‘till your term as an ‘X Factor’ judge ends.”

Reports from sources close to the Fox vocal-talent show indicate the pop star will be abdicating her judging throne after just one season. She joins A&R; and label vet L.A. Reid in departing the show after its second season.

TMZ reports the usual he-said-she-said rigmarole, with Spears’ camp declaring that she wants more time to work on music, while “X Factor” sources suggest her departure after one season was planned all along. Spears was paid a reported $15 million for her tenure on the show.

“X Factor” has struggled mightily in ratings despite the commitment of former “American Idol” czar Simon Cowell. The two departures now leaves Cowell and singer Demi Lovato as the sole remaining judges (and Lovato hasn’t publicly committed to a third season either). Neither of the oft-criticized co-hosts Mario Lopez and Khloe Kardashian have suggested they’re out yet. So, there’s that at least.

Pop & Hiss hereby launches its campaign to give a Season 3 judgeship to the Kanye West-Kim Kardashian baby, which will likely have enough musical talent and radiant good looks to anchor the franchise in its current state.

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