Britney Spears, Demi Lovato to be 'X Factor' judges

It's official: Britney Spears and Demi Lovato will be judges when the second season of the U.S. edition of "The X Factor" debuts this fall.

"I'm a huge fan of the show and now I get to be a part of the action," Spears said during Fox's upfront presentations to advertisers in New York City.

While details of the two stars' new contracts weren't revealed, reports over the last few weeks suggested Spears would be signing a $15-million deal.

Spears and Lovato will sit alongside Simon Cowell, the show's creator, and music executive L.A. Reid. The two pop stars replace former judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger, who, along with host Steve Jones, were fired by Cowell following the conclusion of the singing competition's first season.

"I'm absolutely delighted Britney and Demi are joining us," Cowell said. "Britney remains one of the biggest stars in the world; she's talented, fascinating -- and I believe she knows exactly how to spot 'The X Factor.'

"Demi's had an amazing career in music, TV and film for someone her age. She's young, confident and enthusiastic," the outspoken TV personality said. "I think it's really important that she speaks to our younger audience."

Solo artists and vocal groups who are 12 years old or over can sign up for auditions now at www.fox.com/theXfactor . A $5-million recording contract with Syco/Sony Music is on the line.

Some of the other news out of Fox's presentation Monday include:

Fox confirmed that "Glee" will follow "X Factor" on Thursday nights when its fourth season debuts this fall. Sarah Jessica Parker and Kate Hudson will be some of the big-name guest stars joining the cast next season.

Kevin Bacon will star in "The Following," a new drama from Kevin Williamson! ("Vampi re Diaries," "Dawson's Creek") that Fox executives are calling their "next '24.' "

Briefly

Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood and Zac Brown Band are scheduled to perform at the 2012 CMT Music Awards, organizers announced Monday. The 11th annual show will be broadcast live June 6 beginning at 8 p.m. on CMT.

For more, www.cmt.com.

Jessica Simpson ("Fashion Star"), 31, announced Monday that she'll be launching a new maternity line this fall.

Simpson, who has built a fashion empire that includes clothing, jewelry, shoes and beauty products, gave birth to daughter Maxwell Drew Johnson on May 1.

"The Bold and the Beautiful" star Joanna Johnson, 50, who plays a closeted lesbian on the soap opera, came out as a lesbian to TV Guide. Johnson added that she's been married since 2008 to her partner of nine years, Michelle Agnew, and they have two children together: Julian, 5, and Harlow, 2.

Jay-Z announced Monday that he'll headline the "Made In America" festival in Philadelphia over Labor Day weekend, www.philly.com reports. Tickets (starting at $99) for the festival, scheduled Sept. 1-2, are set to go on sale Wednesday through www.ticketmaster.com and www.livenation.com.

The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD), the London-based art philanthropy Artangel, and the Luma Foundation, a nonprofit based in Switzerland, are planning to build a replica of the late artist Mike Kelley's childhood home in Westland, the New York Times reports.

Called "Mobile Homestead," the reconstruction of Kelley's home! , which was planned by the artist for years before his suicide in January, will function as a public sculpture that provides services for the community on the MOCAD grounds. Construction is set to begin in June and the project should be completed early next year.

"Mysteries at the Museum" host Don Wildman stopped by Dearborn's Henry Ford Museum for tonight's episode that will explore what role the specially modified 1961 Lincoln Continental limousine, which is at the museum, played during President John F. Kennedy's assassination.

"Mysteries at the Museum" airs at 9 p.m. Tuesdays on the Travel Channel.

COMPILED BY B.J. HAMMERSTEIN, FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER. CONTACT HIM AT 313-223-4528 OR BJHAMMERSTEIN@FREEPRESS.COM.

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A Louisiana sheriff confirmed Monday that Mitchell Guist, from the History Channel's reality series "Swamp People," died after falling during a boating accident Monday. Assumption Parish Sheriff Mike Waguespack says there is no word yet on the official cause of death, the Associated Press reports.

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