The X Factor USA will once again see its judging panel re-jigged next year. For, L.A Reid has today announced that he will not be returning for the show’s third season.
Details below…
In an exclusive statement to Access Hollywood, the industry veteran cites slight neglect of his CEO duties at Epic Records as the main catalyst for his decision:
“I have decided that I will not return to ‘The X Factor’ next year. I have to go back and I have a company to run that I’ve kind of neglected and it saddens me a little bit, but only a little bit.
It was a nice break, it was a nice departure from what I’ve done for the past 20 years, but now I gotta go back to work. I have a huge responsibility to a roster of artists and it’s kind of time for me to stop doing the ‘me’ show.
I’m not ruling ever coming back, but I’m definitely not coming back next year. I have a job to do and once I get some work done and get some momentum then maybe I’ll revisit the idea a little later.”
Of his relationship with fellow judge and the show’s creator Simon Cowell moving forward, he added:
“I love Simon. We have a great relationship, we have fun together, we talk, we laugh, we do bad things, we’re friends. I owe so much to Simon. I really have a lot [of] respect for him and I always will. I support him, I support the show and I’ll always be in business with him.”
On what he’s taking away from the experience:
“I probably have to say its understanding television a little bit better. I do everything sort of as a strategist, so really, the idea was go and learn television. I know a little bit about it, so now let’s go produce some shows!
Finally, on his X Factor judging successor, Reid beamed:
“You know who I would love to see take it, and by the way I have nothing to do with it, but my choice would be like Jon Bon Jovi. That’s who I would pick.”
If we’re to keep it entirely 100, we feel Mr Reid made the right decision, for the absolute right reason.
Having launched the careers of Toni Braxton, Rihanna, and Justin Bieber, as well as resurrecting Mariah Carey‘s, the 56 year old clearly has a midas touch his roster could certainly benefit more from. And with the present Epic roster being particularly promising (see: Ciara, Marcus Canty, Melanie Amaro, Future), the prospect of what the label can do now is oh so exciting.
Tidbit: We doubt LA or X Factor are losing much sleep over this. For, as it stands, the winner’s record deal will still be with Epic. Needless to say, all involved are still “winning”.