According to a Digital Spy report on Thursday, Simon Cowell has offered Katy Perry and John Mayer $20 million to fill the empty seats left vacant by L.A. Reid and Britney Spears on Fox’s “The X Factor.”
It’s believed that Cowell is using the hefty payday to lure Perry and Mayer, who have had an on-again-off-again romantic relationship dating back to last July. It’s unclear as to whether that $20 million carrot is for the pair or individually.
Sources told DS that Cowell believes the contrast between Perry’s blunt and outspoken manner and Mayer’s more reserved nature will lead to ratings gold for the show’s third season.
“Simon sees it as a brilliant pairing,” an unnamed source told Now. “Having them as rivals would be genius – if they had on-air bust-ups, it’d be unmissable.”
Perry appeared on the UK’s “The X Factor” in 2010 as a guest judge, but spurned invitations to join the show full time, claiming involvement in reality TV programming was not for her at the time.
Perry turned down a $20 million offer from “American Idol” last summer.
Host Khloe Kardashian, who joined “The X Factor” in time for its live shows last November, will reportedly not be back for another season.
Personal Take
On-air spats are gold for “reality” TV programming, so it should come as no surprise that Cowell is looking to liven up “The X Factor” judges’ table.
Given the sourpuss presence of Spears during the show’s second season, almost any replacement will be an improvement.
This viewer will miss Reid, even though he pitched a fit last season over being assigned to the “25 and older” group.
Funny how it worked out that the season’s eventual winner, Tate Stevens, was in that group that Reid threw his hissy fit over.
It will be interesting to see the dynamics of the show’s judging panel should Perry and Mayer sign on.
Throw in Cowell’s snarky attitude and Demi Lovato’s charm, and the show just might make it to a fourth season.
As for Kardashian’s apparent departure, so what?
“The X Factor” airs on Fox 13 in Provo and will be back this fall.
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