L.A. Reid Signed As Judge On The second Season of The X Factor USA

L.A. Reid is thought to have signed a contract on Friday (03.02.12) to reprise his position on the panel following the exits of fellow judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger, as well as host Steve Jones.

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A source told The Hollywood Reporter that the Epic Records chief was the one judge that audiences seemed to embrace. Beyonce Knowles and Mariah Carey have both been talked about as possible new panelists on the Fox show, and boss Simon Cowell is believed to have offered Mariah $500 million for five seasons on the programme as he aims to beat rival show ‘American Idol’ in the ratings battle.

Photo: The Judges of ‘The Voice’ Cover Rolling Stone Magazine (Photo)

A source explained: “He wants a big name female star on the panel. Mariah [Carey] is good, but she’s not that hot today. He wants Beyonce because that would immediately give him the bounce needed to beat ‘American Idol’.”

Randy Jackson – who judges on ‘American Idol’ - believes Mariah, who he manages, would be an “amazing” addition to US ‘X Factor’.  He said: “She’d be amazing. I mean, I manage her, so of course I’m going to say that. She’d be amazing.”