It’s Official: Kelly Rowland Named New ‘X Factor USA’ Judge

Published: Monday 20th May 2013 by Sam

No need for any more speculation, because it’s official: Kelly Rowland has joined the judging panel of ‘The X Factor USA’.

Full story, including who else will be siting with, after the jump…

Ending months of “is she / isn’t she” debate, the ‘Dirty Laundry‘ singer was unveiled as the centerpiece of the FOX show’s new judging line-up, which also welcomes 41-year-old Latin superstar Paulina Rubio.

The pair, who will slip into vacant chairs left by LA Reid and Britney Spears, join returning judges Demi Lovato and, of course, Simon Cowell on what many are already billing a much improved line-up from previous years.

Cowell said today, “It’s taken more than a decade but I’m delighted to finally be on a panel with three girls (I think!). Paulina and Kelly both have great taste and massive experience in the music industry and together with Demi, this is going to be a fun panel. It just feels like the time to do something different.”

“I am very excited to be reuniting with Simon Cowell and THE X FACTOR family,” said Rowland. “It feels great to be able to take this journey here at home in the states!”

Mike Darnell, President, Alternative Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company added: “We are thrilled that Kelly and Paulina are joining Demi on the panel this season, in what is sure to be a triple threat of talented and successful women against Simon week-to-week. This is an incredible panel of judges and we can’t wait for fans to see what’s in store for Season Three of THE X FACTOR.”

“Kelly’s incredible talent as a member of one of the world’s most successful groups, Destiny’s Child, combined with her judging experience as part of the U.K. version of ‘The X Factor,’ make her an ideal choice to join this talented panel,” said Trish Kinane, executive producer for FremantleMedia North America. “Paulina is an amazing Latin superstar who brings glamour and fiery passion to the judges’ table. We welcome both of them in joining Simon, Demi and Mario in what will prove to be an exciting season.”

*******

Can you say mega coup? This is major! With new album ‘Talk A Good Game’ on the horizon and her stock higher than ever, Ms. Rowland’s solo profile looks set to keep rising.

What’s more, having garnered praise aplenty for her turn as a judge on the UK show, we see her only getting better now that she’s on home soil and being broadcast to an audience that “get” “Urban America” more.

Congrats, Ms. Kelly!

{Source}

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  1. KRowlandStone May 20, 2013

    yessssssss Gawd Nessa Gurl

    • SELINA33 May 20, 2013

      My friend Lnny has just married to a handsome wealthy black man. They met through ~~~ MìxedŚìngle.Çoм ~ ~~A Serious interracial dating is an ideal platform for afro romance for black & white singles. So, if you want to look for people with which you can date, you are at the right place.You can meet(lawyers,busy professionals, benefactors. models, celebrities, etc….)If you are single, perhaps you can have a try.

      • KRowlandStone May 20, 2013

        lmao trolling

  2. Lovebird May 20, 2013

    Congrats to her anyway. I don’t think this show works for her, it didn’t work in the UK where the show is a hit and in the US, Simon has to make this show a hit.

    Good luck to her anyway, I just don’t think she should be doing X Factor, rather she should be promoting her music. Good for her anyway.

    • chillin May 20, 2013

      Kelly Rowland won tv personality of the year and Xfactor UK had the highest ratings recorded when she was a judge..so your wrong

      • Fan May 20, 2013

        *clap* right on

      • Lovebird May 20, 2013

        Their highest ratings was in the year Matt Cardle won the show. The ratings started dropping in Little Mix year.

    • JARED (WHITE DUDE) May 20, 2013

      LOL.

      Hun, how many times are you going to say ‘anyway’? 😉 x

      Haha.

      • Lovebird May 20, 2013

        Well I’m nervous for Kelly about this, it didn’t quite work well in the UK, but then cringe worthy Louis Walsh was on. Anyway we’ll see.

      • Lovebird May 20, 2013

        Hahahaha I did it again.

      • JARED (WHITE DUDE) May 20, 2013

        @LoveBird…

        Okay Hun. LOL.

        No, but I liked her on the UK X Factor – I liked the way she stood up for Misha B when Tulisa and Louis turned against her. It was wrong what they did… Kelly was okay. Nothing superb, but she was good. x

    • SLAYRIAH CAREY (TOUR DE FORCE) May 20, 2013

      Was she a good judge on the UK X factor?

      • JARED (WHITE DUDE) May 20, 2013

        She was a very good judge – I’m not sure as to whether she resonated with the British public as strongly as Nicole Scherzinger, but she was good nonetheless.

        She was a better judge than Louis Walsh, Tulisa and Gary Barlow by far – UK, Europe, Australia & New Zealand Celebs. LOL.

      • Lovebird May 20, 2013

        I liked her, she talked too much sometimes but it was different critique from the usual. She was bubbly and playful sometimes which was fun to watch. She was also very funny.

        http://youtu.be/i9RxMJqpMXI

      • Lovebird May 20, 2013

        I like Gary Barlow, he’s funny. UK X Factor is the only one I can stomach, it is fun to hate lol. I don’t watch the US show after the first season but I might give it a try this year.

      • SLAYRIAH CAREY (TOUR DE FORCE) May 20, 2013

        How would you rank her among Britney, Nicki, Demi, Paula, And Nicole Cheeseburger?

        @LOVEBIRD AND @JARED

      • Lovebird May 20, 2013

        As a star, she’s not there yet. As a judge however, 10x better than all 3.

      • JARED (WHITE DUDE) May 20, 2013

        In terms of “Critique” – Kelly was/is by far ‘THE BEST’.

        In terms of “Personality” – Nicki wins that one (even though I can’t stand her)

        In terms of just sheer “Star Power” – The once, great Britney.

    • MuiMui May 21, 2013

      Good luck Kelly you are deserving the best that life has
      to offer you.And just keep doing what you have been doing because it looks good on You.
      Long ago i was reading here on this sight where a blogger said once that money don’t care who own it and that stayed with me for some reason and it makes a lot of sense.

    • Thorne May 21, 2013

      That’s what I think too LOVEBIRD… She should be going on tour promoting Talk A Good Game… Doing appearances etc.. The show starts filming auditions today.. So its starting now… So she isn’t gonna give the LP the attention it needs… Plus the “Urban Community’ doesn’t buy urban music as much as the other communities with their respective genres… So she needs to be touring to fully capitalize with the album…

      But hopefully X-Factor USA will also help with that…
      Who knows…

  3. Alex May 20, 2013

    I JUST SAW THE X FACGTOR USA’S TWEET! I CAAAAAAAAAAAAN’T F****** WAIT! STUFF THAT OTHER UNKNOWN PAULA B****, KELLY IS HERE!!!!!!!!!!!! THE US ARE GOING TO LOVE HER JUST LIKE THE UK DID! SHE IS SO FUNNY AND ENTHUSIASTIC! #TalkAGoodGame

    • KRowlandStone May 20, 2013

      was that subliminal shade? *X Facgtor* Couldn’t tell lmao…Probably a typo

  4. Monstarebel May 20, 2013

    Congratulations Kelly get that US promo gurl

    • SLAYRIAH CAREY (TOUR DE FORCE) May 20, 2013

      Have you recovered from that epic Nicki performance last night?

    • WE LOVE YOU KELLY!!! May 20, 2013

      🙂

  5. SLAYRIAH CAREY (TOUR DE FORCE) May 20, 2013

    I’m so excited for Kelly.

    • Lovebird May 20, 2013

      Apparently Kanye West is getting it on with Frank Ocean’s man Ricardo Tisci LOL. Can you just imagine the drama?? I cannot at just the thought LOL.

      www . gossipcop . com /kanye-west-gay-boyfriend-riccardo-tisci-cheating-kim-kardashian-givenchy-creative-director-may-2013/

    • Fan May 21, 2013

      me too 🙂

  6. ENOUGH ONIKA (KMART QUEEN) May 20, 2013

    I truly like Kelly. She just has a genuine sense to her. I really really want her to win.

  7. JARED (WHITE DUDE) May 20, 2013

    Kelly Rowland is just ‘STUNNING’.

    That picture is Beautiful.

    She reminds me of Donna Summer – in the looks department especially.

    Congratulations nonetheless. 😉

    • SLAYRIAH CAREY (TOUR DE FORCE) May 20, 2013

      YES!
      TOUR DE FORCE DAAHLING!

      • JARED (WHITE DUDE) May 20, 2013

        ‘Hashtag’ – #POW.

        😉

    • YessKelly May 21, 2013

      So excited for her!

  8. S****** Blonde May 20, 2013

    The show will flop, at least they could have hired someone bigger than Britney, oh i forget, there is not a bigger superstar than Britney under 40.

    • SLAYRIAH CAREY (TOUR DE FORCE) May 20, 2013

      **Cough** Rihanna

      • CiCi Slaaaaays May 20, 2013

        B**** please

      • SLAYRIAH CAREY (TOUR DE FORCE) May 20, 2013

        Ciara stan has zero room to talk. Body Party is a flop. And the bathroom tour tickets have been on sale for months now. #Exit

      • FAF May 20, 2013

        Body party is top 40 plz do your research . That charted higher than Kellys new single AND TRIUMPHANT AND EVERYTHING ELSE FOR THE LAST 3 YRS EXCEPT “BEAUTIFUL” AND ITS SOLO

      • S****** Blonde May 20, 2013

        Rihanna, really.

    • JARED (WHITE DUDE) May 20, 2013

      But…

      Madonna’s 30 though.

      😉

      • FAF May 20, 2013

        @slayriah 😆 And noones buying lipsynch tickets thats for fucken sure 😆 Id much rather pay to watch a performance

        (O2 ring a bell) 😉

      • S****** Blonde May 20, 2013

        Lol.

    • KEY May 20, 2013

      Why would they hire someone bigger than brittney??? Oh yeah so they could be even worse judges than Brittney, Mariah, and Nicki. They’re all good artist, but poor judges. Big names do not equal good judging skills.

    • Beauty Queen May 20, 2013

      that’s exactly what NOT to do. People want to be entertained, doesn’t matter the stature of the judge. If your logic was correct, American Idol would have the highest ratings of all talent shows….

    • Michaela May 21, 2013

      Gaga, Beyoncé, Rihanna are all bigger than Britney now.

  9. ciara my princess May 20, 2013

    #neaux1currdoe

    • WE LOVE YOU KELLY!!! May 20, 2013

      ugh…i can’t and i won’t

  10. Kemar (@S_C_Jr on Twitter) May 20, 2013

    I’m so happy for her. GOD is truly blessing her! I can’t wait to see her this fall.

    Haters shut the hell up. Your negativity is not needed nor will it change anything so stay mad cause no one gives a damn.

  11. CiCi Slaaaaays May 20, 2013

    Really who gives a f*** a basic b**** like this needs a show to stay semi relevant i bet they paying her real cheap too.

    • P.O. May 20, 2013

      CICI SLAAAAAYS Job Titile: Professional HATER
      Salary: $0.00

      Kelly Rowland: Professional R&B Singer
      Salary: More than CICI SLAAAAAYS

      SMH.

    • WE LOVE YOU KELLY!!! May 20, 2013

      i feel bad for you, cuz
      1. I don’t think you’re even a Ci stan
      2. Kelly will always be richer than you

  12. CiCi Slaaaaays May 20, 2013

    How do you replace Britney spears with some irrelevant basic b**** like kelly smh ratings will really go down the drain now.

    • KEY May 20, 2013

      You’re a dumb ass. It was stupid to get someone who can’t sing to judge singers. I like Brittney, but she did nothing for the show. The show should focus on the singers and not the judges. You’re so f–king stupid.

  13. KEY May 20, 2013

    Get those coins!!!

    Her personality is very much needed for that show. She brought a lot of energy to xfactor UK.

    Idk who Paulina Rubio is, but it make so much more sense to hire someone who isn’t as well known. Besides the fact that the well known judges did a POOR job, it is pointing the show in the right direction in that they’re focusing more on the contestants and not the judges. Getting big names to judge did nothing for these singing shows. I’m glad they actually have singers this time. Get it Kelly 🙂

  14. SELINA33 May 20, 2013

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  15. king b May 20, 2013

    BEYHIVE “GROWN WOMAN” IS OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • SLAYRIAH CAREY (TOUR DE FORCE) May 20, 2013

      Sam took down the post though??

      • Rita is Queen May 20, 2013

        Good the song is trash tbh

      • You Mad? May 20, 2013

        Yeah he did. I wonder why?

    • YessKelly May 21, 2013

      pppppffffffffffaaaaaaaaaaa

  16. You Mad? May 20, 2013

    I’m happy for her because I think she was amazing in the British version. I just hope that this doesn’t get in the way of the the promotion of get new album Talk A Good Game, which will be hitting stores June 18th (go cop that btw).

  17. Mark111 May 20, 2013

    Kelly is doing it! I’m looking forward to seeing her, someone who can sing and knows the bizz. I’m buying this album also, it’ll be the first time buying a KR album. I really like Here I Am, a classic R&B album that really showed what Kelly can do.

    • WE LOVE YOU KELLY!!! May 21, 2013

      yesssssss

  18. Super Cisus May 20, 2013

    Kelly is a lessor and Grown Woman is a weak, tired flop. Everything is right with the world

    • Rosie May 20, 2013

      And Body Party is already out of the top 40.

  19. Rosie May 20, 2013

    She was good in the UK version (better than Methney) so I’m excited.

    • MuiMui May 21, 2013

      Me too

  20. @Psychostoner_ May 20, 2013

    THOUSANDS OF YEARS AGO MOSES PARTED THE RED SEA, AND UNBELIEVABLY THE VERY SAME THING IS HAPPENING NOW, THE SEAS ARE PARTING, THE WEAVES ARE SOGGY, LET IT RAIN MUTHERFUCKER #HIVE #GROWNWOMAN

    P.S I’m almost done with learning the choreo boo boo

  21. ratedxxx(tic toc) May 20, 2013

    is this a good move for her? we will see…

    I say that because kelly had so many opportunities to shine as a solo artist and yet she kept f****** them up…

    I was rooting for kelly on her last album…hell I became a huge fan of hers when she finally fired matthew..

    but noticed on every single interview she had to promote her album, she brought up her “sister” name up..

    kelly tell me how is this album different from every other album out there?..well my sister’s album is coming out, so make sure to buy it…

    kelly you have a hot single out right now, how do you feel about it? well my sister’s album is one of the best r&b album….

    kelly what kind of work out do you do to keep in shape?
    well my sister has one of the best bodies out there..make sure to get her album..

    • MuiMui May 21, 2013

      Kelly speaks more on her sister more than their
      other sister,it seems. Maybe that is because Kelly is on tape more than the other sister is.

  22. DOSSOME May 20, 2013

    One minute it’s here,another minute it’s gone…What kind of black magic was that Samantha pulled on us with that Beyonce song?LMAO…Seems someone was too scared of them lawsuits & considering he makes his salary from RIHANNA VS BEYONCE (Face it SHE IS DIVA don’t pay s***),bet he couldn’t risk it all.

    • Rosie May 20, 2013

      LOL @ you mentioning She Is Diva. I went on there one day and it was deader than Keri Hilson’s career.

      • You Mad? May 20, 2013

        who’s career? now is she famous?

      • Rosie May 20, 2013

        Actually She Is Diva is more relevant than Keri Hilson right now, LOL!
        She Is Diva Alexa rank: 249,067
        Official Keri Hilson Website Alexa rank: 3,322,256

  23. BEY AND HER 2 CAMELS May 20, 2013

    I WANT KELLY TO WIN!!! OAN FLOP WOMAN WAS WACK WHILE THE NAVY REMAINS UNBOTHERED WHILE STAY SALES REACH 7.5 MILLION WORLDWIDE!!

    • Rosie May 20, 2013

      StAIDS is not at 7.5 million worldwide.
      It hasn’t even gone triple platnium in the US. The payola obviously isn’t working.

    • Likica May 21, 2013

      @ROSIE
      It will reach 3xPlatinum is 2-3 weeks and Diamonds has sold 7.5 million worldwide. But why do you care so much about Rihanna? Does Lana even have a Platinum single in the USA? :/ Go buy Video Game so that it can finally reach Platinum status.

  24. You Wanna Bey Me May 20, 2013

    Happy for her, she has one of the best personalities out there

  25. JER May 20, 2013

    I’m happy for Kelly, but I’m mostly happy for Beyonce. Now she doesnt have to stay up worrying how Kelly’s gonna get a paycheck

  26. You Wanna Bey Me May 21, 2013

    🙂

  27. Jay Jay May 21, 2013

    First congats Ms. Rowland!!! So kelly doing Xfactor and Beyonce doing her World tour…How ya doiiin Michelle?

  28. Malachi May 21, 2013

    Yassss mommy

    • ME May 21, 2013

      mommy? LMAO… she ain’t got no kids chile. j/k xo

  29. Diva May 21, 2013

    GROWN WOMAN – THE SONG OF THE SUMMER! UR FAVS WIGS WILL BEY ALL BLOODY FROM THE SLAYING!

    • king b May 21, 2013

      TURNT WITH THE DREAM HAVE ALSO BEEN RELEASED BEYONCE IS ABOUT TO KILL ME TOO MUCH SLAYAGE

  30. mr.m May 21, 2013

    Guuuuurl
    X Factor is DONE
    D-O-N-E .. SPELL IT!
    No one will watch the show with dat m***** on it
    SURE she’ll be a better JUDGE than Sh!tney .. BUT
    She’s no where near to Sh!tney’s fame and attention
    Good luck on how they’ll kick your ass next year 🙂
    Simon was very stupid bringing the show 2 the US
    It’s a FLOPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP
    X FACTOR UK >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
    #DEAL

    • MuiMui May 21, 2013

      MR M
      One thing is for sure and you said it Britney has sold more and has diamonds and that is better than Destiny childs and Beyonce put together for sure.

  31. jenna May 21, 2013

    People wait and see Kelly will be the STAR of this show..watch

    • Why You Mad Tho? May 21, 2013

      That’s what I’m saying. I’m not too familiar with that other girl but Kelly has a great personality for tv. I personally think she thrives there.

  32. 2real May 21, 2013

    I hate when people pretend to be Ciara fans just to cause her to get talked about negatively more than she already does. I am a Ciara fan, but not an everybody else hater. With that being said congrats Kelly!

    • Beauty Queen May 21, 2013

      i feel ya…..

  33. Stenna May 21, 2013

    Major coup? I’m confused. How can you promote an album that comes out in less than four weeks when you’re traveling the country scouting future singing talent?

    I’ve convinced Kelly is practically independent artist. I really don’t think she has anyone on her team because I can not image a manager (a good one) would tell her to take this offer, clearly she not ready for it nor can I justify how her project has been managed thus far.

    Good luck though. I wish her knowledge, wisdom, success, and happiness.

  34. Blackkupid May 21, 2013

    Kelly be all over the place! now u ve kanye
    J.cole breath down ur neck and ur promo train
    Is still chillin @ the station. Forever doing
    Promo 4 other ppl when it comes 2 urs? U go MIA
    By the way kelly needs to beware of simone,
    Cos he will chew her up and spit he out
    When he is doneu

  35. X,Y,”and Z” May 21, 2013

    JUST THE X-FACTOR U.K. FACTS (season eight w/Kelly Rowland):

    1.) 2011 U.K. X-Factor was an abysmal failure! It was Launched with the greatest of expectations and even greater pomp and circumstance. Simon Cowell promised 20-Million weekly viewers, but could only deliver half of that!

    2.) Kelly Rowland got the worst reviews by fans of that show – go check the U.K. TV Blogs.

    3.) Kelly Rowland released her 2011 CD “Here I Am” to coincide with her stint as a then sitting UK X Factor judge, she even had it written into her contract to perform material on the show. That said, with some 10-Million willing, “motivated” and able viewers/consumers at her disposal, what did she do? ..NOT-A-THING..!! ‘Here I Am’ was an epic disaster!!

    4.) Truth be told, Kelly Rowland, despite her management/publicist’s best spin, does NOT have a huge following in Europe!!

    5.) If Kelly Rowland was ‘all that’, and if the show was such a raging success, why change it? It’s called saving face. U.K. X Factor was and IS losing HUGE market share to “Strictly Come Dancing”.

    Kelly Rowland: The Face Of Spite, Sub-Par Talent, and Entitlement.

    X,Y,”and Z” – Out..!!

  36. MyPenIzFresh May 21, 2013

    Kelly has a lot of personality and charm. I think this is a great platform to see more of her. I wish the album connected to the show’s airing, but I’m sure Kelly has something planned out.

    Congrats Kelly.. you really are putting your foot down this go round!

    • X,Y,”and Z” May 21, 2013

      @mypenizfresh(not so)

      re:”Kelly has a lot of personality and charm.”

      Too bad we didn’t see any of that “personality” and “charm” in 2011 X Factor U.K. And it would seem “personality and charm” just isn’t enough to move albums, now is it?

      re: “I wish the album (was?) connected to the show’s airing.”

      “Here I Am” was “connected” to her stint as a 2011 X Factor U.K. judge, that alone gave her weekly access to 10-Million willing, “motivated”, and able music buyers – “HIA” was a biblical disaster!

      re:”..you really are putting your foot down this go round!”

      And she wasn’t “putting her foot down” in 2011?! You mean to tell me that weekly access, for months, to 10-Million U.K./European music buyers isn’t “putting her foot down”…?!

      Kelly Rowland 2013: Kelly Rowland 2011 w/”I was abused” gimmickry.

      X,Y,”and Z” — Out..!!

  37. MISHKA May 21, 2013

    Great news Kelly!

    Please stay focused and get that Grammy for “Dirty Laundry” as well!

    • Beauty Queen May 21, 2013

      awwwwwwwww

  38. Bran Star May 21, 2013

    This is nice, but what is this going to do for her album? She has one coming out right, or will it be pushed back? Didn’t something similar like this happen during the Here I Am era?? Kelly wants to win, but I’m not convinced that she has her priorities in order.

  39. tera May 21, 2013

    i was askin myself where is xy and z

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