L.A. Reid Hopes Britney, Demi Stick Around on 'X Factor'

Have you ever wondered what the "X-Factor" judges think of themselves when looking out at competitive reality talent shows, such as "American Idol"?

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L. A. Reid says "X-Factor" is "better because of the cast."

"The fact that we have two super stars in Demi Lovato and Britney Spears and then two truly accomplished record executives in Simon Cowell and myself. We really do know what we're doing," Reid told Billboard editorial director Bill Werde backstage at last week's Billboard Film & TV Music Conference in LA.

Reid, joined by his X-Factor co-star, Demi Lovato, continued to say that ! he hopes to keep the cast as it is "going forward." "I'm actually very hopeful that X-Factor keeps the same panel going forward. I think that we actually suffer a little but for not having that consistency in our panel," he said.

Lovato chimed in to share her appreciation for the cast's dynamic. "I do think it is great that we have two businessmen on the panel," she said. "It's not just a panel of all artists cause there are some things that I don't know as an artist that they are more educated on. I think its great to have their opinion too."

Demi, L.A. Reid Video Q&A: Talk Simon, TV & Shunning the 'Sexy Route'

Although the cast consists of notable and highly talented judges, L.A. Reid and Lovato were both surprised to find a few things about fellow judges Simon Cowell and Britney Spears.

Lovato was surprised to find out that Simon, known for his strong personality, was "actually a real nice guy." "It doesn't matter who you are or what you do, he treats everybody the same and with a lot of respect," she continued to say of Cowell.

"Some how I didn't connect her to loving music as much as she does," L.A. Reid said of Britney. "We went to a photo shoot once and she didn't know I was in the room. She was on her computer and she puts on Vanilla Ice's "Ice Ice Baby" and she just goes crazy, right? I loved it because [if] you don't know people, you don't know people. I love that she's really such a fan of music. I was a little bit surprised. "

"Britney really is an artist and I don't know why I dismissed that," he said.