Paul McCartney and Britney Spears top "Idol" wish list

The following italicized article is from www.reuters.com:

Former Beatle Paul McCartney and pop star Britney Spears are at the top of Simon Cowell's celebrity wish list as possible mentors on the upcoming season of "American Idol."

But the chances of getting McCartney to appear on the most-watched American television show seem slim.

"We try every year to get Paul McCartney on but for whatever reason he won't come on," the judge told reporters on a conference call on Wednesday.

Cowell said he would welcome the chance to see Spears on the show, which returns for its 8th season on January 13. The singer is on a comeback roll with a No.1 album and upcoming tour after almost two years of personal woes.

"She would be first on the list. I would love to see her mentor the contestants. But if she doesn't want to do that and she wants to come on the show to perform, I would welcome her any time," Cowell said.

He said he would also like to see Beyonce and would welcome back singer-songwriter Lionel Richie and movie director Quentin Tarantino, who was a guest judge in 2004.

"American Idol" has produced some bonafide stars since its 2002 debut, including Grammy award winners Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.

Former contestants Jennifer Hudson and Jordin Sparks were both nominated earlier this month for Grammys.

"I absolutely love it when that happens," Cowell said. "There is so much snobbery in the music business about what we do on this show. So I think it is fantastic.''

Source: Reuters

Simon: Brit is 'Back on Top'

The following Italicized article is from www.extratv.warnerbros.com:

Restored pop princess Britney Spears performed on "The X-Factor" Saturday night, helping the UK series nab its biggest ratings ever -- and only "Extra's" Terri Seymour was behind the scenes with judge Simon Cowell, who praised Brit's performance, saying, "A star is a star is a star. Incredible. She's back on top."

Cowell added, "This girl's got huge star quality... You've got to hand it to her. She's a great performer." And how would he rate her? "Britney's back... 9.5 (out of 10)!"

When asked how Cowell managed to book Spears on "The X-Factor", he explained, "We got a phone call, 'Do you want Britney on the show?' Let me think about that, 'Yes.' And that was it." Even Cowell couldn't believe the paparazzi frenzy surrounding Spears' appearance. "That's the price you pay for being a star. Her pictures are worth a fortune."

Source: Extra TV

Britney To Get Luxury Treatment From Cowell

Simon Cowell is said to be giving up his luxury dressing room for Britney Spears.

Normally guest artistes stay in a luxury Winnebago close to the studios, but the supremo will give up his personal X Factor room to ensure that Britney gets the star treatment for her appearance next Saturday, says a report in the Star.

Simon has reportedly agreed to give up his huge private dressing room for Britney, to ensure her appearance on the show, where she is due to perform her new single Womanizer.

An insider on the show said: "Simon has the most impressive room of the lot and he wanted to make sure Britney got the real star treatment.

"He wanted to impress Britney on her first visit to The X Factor. Simon can be quite territorial over his dressing rooms and even Leona, who is his star protégé, didn't get a look in.''

Britney has said that she will give the "raunchiest performance" ever on The X Factor when she performs on the American Hits Week.

Brian Friedman, show choreographer and friend of the megastar, says that Britney will prove she is back to form.

He said: "I'm not choreographing her routine this time but I've heard it will be spectacular.

"She's going to be super sexy and at her raunchy best."

Source: News.stv.tv

Bow Simon bow.

Spears Plans Rauncy X-Factor Performance

The following italicized article is from www.contactmusic.com:

BRITNEY SPEARS is set to showcase her ranchiest routine to date when she performs on U.K. talent show The X-Factor later this month (Nov29).

The Toxic hitmaker is set to thrill fans with her new single Womanizer on the hit TV talent contest after music mogul Simon Cowell persuaded her to appear on the series following her triumphant comeback at the MTV VMA awards in Los Angeles in September (08).

Spears has teamed up with her original choreographer Brian Friedman - who also plans the X-Factor contestant's weekly dance routines.And the dance guru promises Spears' set will be a steamy affair.

He says, "Britney is at her raunchy best. She's back on top of her game."

Source: Contact Music

Simon Cowell On Britney: ‘She Has Come Back From A Very Dark Place’

The following italicized article is from www.accesshollywood.com:

Simon Cowell has confirmed that Britney Spears will appear on his British talent show, “The X Factor,” the Daily Mail reported on Sunday.

The pop princess will be performing her No. 1 single “Womanizer.”

“I’m really excited about it,” Simon told the Daily Mail. “She has her act together and the new record is terrific.”

He went on to note that Britney’s public comeback – which began in September with her triumphant appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards, where she won three Moon Men – is a welcome return after a “dark” period.

“She has come back from a very dark place and is a terrific artist,” he said.

Britney’s appearance will reportedly come later this month.

Source: Access Hollywood

Simon Is A Britney Fan

The following italicized article is from www.extratv.warnerbros.com:

Simon Cowell revealed to British tabloid The Daily Mail what he thinks about the Britney Spears comeback.

In September, Cowell confirmed to "Extra" Spears would perform on his hit UK TV show "The X Factor." The "Idol" judge told The Daily Mail he's anxiously awaiting the performance, 'I'm really excited about it, because she has got her act together and the new record is terrific." The pop star will perform "Womanizer" on the show later this month. The "Womanizer" CD single is slated for a November 24 release in the UK.

Cowell is glad to see Britney back on her feet, saying, "She has come back from a very dark place and is a terrific artist."

Britney's sixth studio album "Circus" drops December 2.

Source: Extra TV

Britney Spears hits X Factor

The following italicized article is from www.newsoftheworld.co.uk:

IT’S official—BRITNEY SPEARS will be performing on The X Factor in two weeks’ time, I can exclusively reveal.

And who else to tell me but the show boss himself . . . SIMON COWELL.

I joined him on a very, very drunken night at the exclusive Mr Chow restaurant in London after he picked up the Special Recognition gong at the National TV Awards on Wednesday.

As you can see we were both looking our best as I got a taste of being papped—yes that’s me swaying in the background— when we ended our celebratory session at 4am.

After what seemed like our 20 millionth drink Simon spilt the beans that Toxic singer Brit will be on The X Factor on November 15.

He told me: “I’m really excited about it, because she’s got her act together now and the new record’s terrific.

“She’s come back from a very dark place and is a great artist.”

That’s not a bad recommendation to get. As many teary-eyed X Factor contestants will tell you, Simon Cowell isn’t a man who’s easily impressed.

We’ve all seen pop princess Britney’s meltdown over the past few years, but she’s getting back to her best with new single Womanizer.

Simon continued: “I think that what’s happened in the last two years has made her more interesting.

“She wants to be the biggest star in the world again—and she’s got a shot.”

Source: News Of The World

Britney Spears Brings Back the Black Wig

The following italicized article is from www.celebrity-gossip.net:

In the latest installment of Britney Spears’ comeback news, the “Gimme More” songstress was spotted leaving a downtown building after a long day of shooting on a video set.

On her way to a waiting SUV, Brit was heavily shielded from the paparazzi by a bevy of bodyguards in an effort to keep her activities on the down-low.

And according to a recent report, the “Piece of Me” diva may be heading across the pond to perform on the UK hit show X Factor.

Simon Cowell told press, “I think Britney Spears is going to perform. We didn’t get her. She’s got a record coming out. We have the number one show in England. It’s the best show for her to perform on.”

He continued, “We’re absolutely thrilled to have her. She’s a hugely talented person… She’s the number one booking in the world at the moment for a show.”

Source: Celebrity Gossip

Britney Spears Wears a Womanizer Wig

The following italicized article is from www.justjared.com:

Britney Spears emerges in LA after a long day of shooting wearing a short black wig on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old pop singer’s entourage worked hard to try and shield her from the cameras before jumping in the car.

American Idol’s Simon Cowell recently confirmed that Britney will perform on this season of the UK’s X-Factor.

In other news, Brit has just put her six-bedroom, six-bathroom Studio City, Calif. home up for sale, for $7.9 million. The real estate listing describes the abode that she lived in for two years as as “exquisite gated Italian Renaissance-inspired villa,” the 7,500-square-foot home has three garages and a “grand entrance foyer.”

Source: Just Jared

Britney to Perform on The X Factor

The following italicized article is from www.ok-magazine.com:

Britney Spears' next career move has been confirmed by none other than Simon Cowell. The American Idol judge tells Extra, "Yes, I think Britney Spears is going to perform on The X Factor."

The show, Cowell's hit singing competition in England, is the number one show across the pond. And the outspoken judge says it's the perfect venue for Brit.

"We didn't GET her. She's got a record coming out," he says. "We're absolutely thrilled to have her. I've always said this about Britney--That she's a hugely talented person. Everyone wants to work with her because she's a star. She's the number one booking in the world at the moment for a show."

Cowell says he's also not concerned with Spears' shaky past.

"The fact that she goes a bit crazy occasionally makes her more interesting," he says. "And now she has her career back on track. Fantastic. I'm thrilled."

Simon adds, "If she wants to shave her head before she comes on the show, she's welcome to. I don't care."

Source: OK Magazine

Brit's X-tra Performance!

The following italicized article is from www.extratv.warnerbros.com:

Britney Spears is going from A-list to X-list! "X-Factor" judge Simon Cowell confirmed to "Extra" that Brit will be performing on the hit Brit music show.

"Yes, I think Britney Spears is going to perform on 'The X Factor,'" Simon said. When asked how Cowell managed to snag Spears, he replied, "We didn't GET her. She's got a record coming out. We have the number one show in England. It's the best show for her to perform on. We're absolutely thrilled to have her."

The "American Idol" judge also his personal opinion about the "Gimme More" singer. "I've always said this about Britney -- that she's a hugely talented person. Everyone wants to work with her because she's a star. She's the number one booking in the world at the moment for a show... The fact that she goes a bit crazy occasionally makes her more interesting. And now she has her career back on track -- fantastic. I'm thrilled."

The snarky judge also admitted that Britney's past erratic behavior didn't deter him from booking her. "If she wants to shave her head before she comes on the show, she's welcome to," said Simon. "I don't care."

Source: Extra TV

Piers Morgan: I could save Britney Spears' career

The following italicized article is from www.nowmagazine.co.uk:

TV judge says he'd like to take charge of Toxic singer

Piers Morgan has revealed that his dream chat show guest would be Britney Spears.

The Britain’s Got Talent judge says he feels sorry for the 26-year-old singer – but he thinks she can bounce back.

'She still got ability,' he says. 'I feel sorry for her. She needs someone like me to take charge of her career. I'd sort Britney out in a heartbeat.'

Piers also has a few words of warning for Simon Cowell, claiming he would win hands down in a fight between the two.

‘I’d beat Simon to a pulp,’ he tells OK! USA. ‘He’d only be able to punch my stomach because that’s as far as he can reach.’

Piers, 34, is currently filming America’s Got Talent with David Hasslehoff, 55, and Sharon Osbourne, 55.

Source: Now