Demi Lovato reportedly in negotiations to be fourth 'The X Factor' judge

By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 05/02/2012

Demi Lovato is reportedly closing a deal to serve as a judge on The X Factor's second season.ADVERTISEMENT

The singer and former Disney Channel star is inching her way to joining current mentors Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid along with newly-added pop star Britney Spears on The X Factor's judging panel next season, The Hollywood Reporter reported Tuesday.

The X Factor and Lovato are currently in final negotiations, according to The Reporter, which noted the potential deal could stillfall apart. However, according to a separate TMZ report, Lovato is the frontrunner to become the fourth and final member of The X Factor's revamped judging panel but has not received an offer yet.

Cowell has reportedly beenseeking a brunette judge to The X Factor's final vacant spot on the judging panel due to the fact Spears is a blonde, and Lovato to fits that cri! teria. < em>The X Factor creator and judge is also looking to attract a younger audience to the show, which would make hiring 19-year-old Lovato a seemingly smart move, according to The Reporter.

If Lovato doesn't end up inking a contract with the show, The X Factor viewers may see another former Disney Channel star take on the judging role instead, according to E! News. Producers are reportedly also considering Miley Cyrus as a judge, while singer Avril Lavigne -- who performed on the show's first-season finale with artist Chris Rene -- has also been mentioned.

Fox and Lovato's representatives reportedly declined to comment on the matter, while a spokesperson for the show also refused to confirm Lovato is in talks to serve as a judge.

While it has yet to be formally announced, multiple reports thatSpears was very close to landing a $15 million contract to become a second-season The X Factor judge surfaced last month.

Reports Spears was interested in joining the Fox reality singing competition had first surfaced in February following the announcements of the departures of first-season judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger. She will reportedly begin her ! judging duties this month.

(Photo credit Fox)

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