Grammy-winning singer/songwriter/producer Ne-Yo has revealed that he's in talks to replace Antonio "L.A." Reid as a judge on "The X Factor" U.S.
Ne-Yo (whose real name is Shaffer Smith) told the website That Grape Juice about his "X Factor" discussions: "There have been a few conversations, but nothing is set in stone. There's been a few lunches and dinners but that's all I can say right now."
Reid joined the show in March 2011 and quit in December 2012 because he said he wanted more time to focus on his main job as chairman/CEO of Epic Records, which is owned by Sony Music. Sony Music is the record-company partner of "The X Factor," whose winners and many finalists are signed to Sony Music.
Representatives for "The X Factor" U.S. (which is televised in the U.S. on Fox) are not commenting on changes that the show will be making in 2013.
As of now, "The X Factor" executive producer Simon Cowell is the only judge guaranteed to return to "The X Factor" U.S. in 2013. Britney Spears (who joined in May 2012) announced in January 2013 that she is leaving the show. And the fate of Demi Lovato (who also became an "X Factor" U.S. judge in May 2012) is in question, since she has not said if she is staying or leaving. It should be announced by the end of January 2013 or February 2013 if Lovato will continue to be a judge on the show.
Lovato and Spears had replaced fired judges Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul. Scherzinger went on to became a judge on "The X Factor" U.K. in June 2012.
The third season of "The X Factor" U.S. will premiere in September 2013 on a date to be announced.
There's a big problem with Ne-Yo joining "The X Factor" U.S. as a judge: He works for Universal Music, which is the biggest rival to Sony Music. In January 2012, it was announced that Ne-Yo was named senior VP of A&R at Motown Records, which is a Universal Music company. Ne-Yo's music company Compound Entertainment is also affiliated with Motown.
Reid had to quit his job as chairman of Island Def Jam Music Group (another Universal Music company) in order to take "The X Factor" job. Reid was named chairman/CEO of Sony Music's Epic Records a few months after he joined "The X Factor."
If Ne-Yo gets "The X Factor" job, does that mean he'll move to a Sony Music company too? It depends on his contract with Universal Music's Motown and how he can get out of the contract if he takes "The X Factor" job. It's very unlikely that Universal Music would let one of its high-ranking A&R executives work as a permanent judge for a TV show that is essentially an A&R vehicle for a rival company (Sony Music).
Ne-Yo appeared on "The X Factor" U.S. as a guest performer in the 2011 season finale. In 2012, he was also a guest mentor assisting Scherzinger in evaluating contestants on "The X Factor" U.K.
In addition to being a hit-making artist, Ne-Yo is an actor. He's had supporting roles in the movies "Stomp the Yard," "Battle: Los Angeles" and "Red Tails."
Comments