X Factor Drama: Demi Lovato and Britney Spears Clash Over 'New Justin Bieber'

Demi Lovato and Britney Spears have reportedly clashed during the auditions for The X Factor USA, taking two very different approaches to judging hopefuls that could lead to rifts between the pair.

Leaked audio of the pair's critiques of a particular contestant found its way on to a tumblr blog called myvanity, showing that Lovato's coments are decidedly lukewarm about the singer, saying that despite the fact she liked the young man's voice, she didn't quite see where he would fit and set him apart from other teenage boys in the music industry.

Spears then totally undermined Lovato's criticism by telling the contestant that he "could be bigger than the next Justin Bieber."

The comments make it sound as if Britney is definitely asserting herself as the queen bee of The X Factor's female judges, with Lovato's slightly hesitant delivery giving the 'Toxic' singer a chance to assert herself over her younger colleague.

Simon Cowell has been forced to deny rumours that Spears was set to walk off The X Factor, interstingly putting out a video in which he states that he'd like Demi to walk off, even though it's meant in jest due to her mucking about on camera.

PHOTOS: Demi Lovato stuns in green at The X Factor USA auditions

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