Avril Lavigne

Britney, Demi, Miley, Avril? We Rate Potential 'X Factor' Judges!

02 May 2012 13:02:19 EDT

With Simon Cowell rumored to be courting a raft of pop princesses for season two, we grade the judges-to-be.
By James Montgomery

By now, we're all aware that Simon Cowell is reloading. After largely firing blanks on the first season of "The X Factor," he cleared the chamber — casting off judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger (not to mention host Steve Jones) — and is now in the process of lining up a collection of high-profile, hollow-point replacements with which to take down the competition.

Of course, just who Cowell ends up nabbing seems to be a matter of some speculation: His $15 million deal with Britney Spears appeared to be a near certainty, but in the weeks since it was first reported, there's been no movement. And now come rumors that he's courting the likes of Demi Lovato, Miley Cyrus and Avril Lavigne to join the "X Factor" team. Are those names just part of a shrewd ploy from Cowell to get Spears to relent on her reported contract demands and insistences on "various perks"? Or is he truly determined to assemble an all-star lineup for the "Factor"? Really, your guess is as good as ours.

Needless to say, we're not sure who will be joining the "X Factor" panel when the show returns later this year (though we suspect Fox may shed some light on the matter at an upfront event for ad buyers on May 14). So, in the meantime, we're just going to take a look at all of the potential judges, comparing their strengths and weaknesses in an attempt to help Cowell put together a potential Murderer's Row. Because we want the "X Factor" to succeed ... lord knows we don't have enough singing competitions on TV at the moment.

Here's our no-holds-barred scouting report for each of the "X Factor" hopefuls:

Britney Spears
Strengths: Spears would instantly become the most famous judge on any U.S. singing competition (sorry Xtina!), therefore automatically raising the profile of a show in desperate need of a good boost. It's the rare combination of both a "career" and a "contemporary" artist, giving the show an answer to "Idol" 's Steven Tyler/ J. Lo combination and the four-headed monster of Aguilera, Adam Levine, Cee Lo and Blake Shelton on "The Voice." As a bonus, she would also fill the "rambling" slot vacated by Abdul, not to mention the "thousand-mile stare" void left when Scherzinger got the boot.

Weaknesses: It's Britney: Live TV may not exactly suit her.

Demi Lovato
Strengths: At just 19 years old, Lovato would give Cowell an in-road to the younger, Disney-fied demographic he so desperately craves. Can definitely sing (check her terrific tear-jerker "Skyscraper" for proof), which automatically puts her ahead of something like 90 percent of her singing-competition contemporaries. Has the kind of harrowing backstory that would automatically shut down any hard-luck contestants looking for a few pity points.

Weaknesses: Older viewers might confuse her with Selena Gomez. Could also forget where she is, accidentally reenact that one episode of "Sonny with a Chance" when she's framed for stealing a necklace and subsequently fires a cheese cannon.

Miley Cyrus
Strengths: An established star (with a slightly checkered past), which would give "X Factor" the kind of constant tabloid attention it failed to generate in season one. Has proven on songs like "The Climb" and her recent cover of Bob Dylan's "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go" that she's actually got a great voice, which, like Lovato, puts her in rarefied air. Could also use the show as a way of launching the next phase of her career, which would be mutually beneficial and might just spawn something like the certified "Voice" smash "Moves Like Jagger."

Weaknesses: May currently be better known for her paparazzi coverage than her actual music. Might take another hit of salvia and confuse every male contestant with Liam.

Avril Lavigne
Strengths: Has been at it for a while now, has more genuine hits than anyone except Spears. She's also got previous judging experience and seems to be genuinely concerned with her artistic integrity. And although her Goodbye Lullaby album didn't match the commercial heights of her previous efforts, you can't fault her for aiming high.

Weaknesses: Preternaturally appears to be 14 years old. May always wear a hoodie during shows. Is constantly making the "sucking a lemon" face. Doesn't exactly strike us as a people person.

Sound off with your picks for "X Factor" judges in the comments below!

Related Videos

MTV News Extended Play: 'X Factor' Judges Simon Cowell, L.A. Reid

Related Artists

'X Factor' Performance Finale Features Guest Duets

21 Dec 2011 22:44:02 EST

R. Kelly, Avril Lavigne and Alanis Morissette join contestants on their final night of performances.
By Adam Graham

At the outset of Wednesday's (December 21) 90-minute "The X Factor" performance finale, which pitted three singers — Josh Krajcik, Chris Rene and Melanie Amaro — against one another for a $5 million recording contract, judge Simon Cowell predicted, "I think this is going to be the closest final we've ever had."

By the end of the penultimate show, Cowell made it clear who had his vote to win, and unsurprisingly, it was the singer he mentored in the race, Melanie Amaro. Following Amaro's second song, a rendition of Beyoncé's "Dreamgirls" ballad "Listen," Cowell gave up all pretense of objectivity and threw his weight behind the singer, whom he at one point cut from the competition before reconsidering and allowing her back in after making a personal visit to her home.

"I brought this show to America because I believe some of the greatest singers in the world are from this country, and you just proved that," he told the 19-year-old from Sunrise, Florida. "I think you, based on that performance tonight, to me, should be the winner of 'The X Factor,' because you're going to represent this country all over the world."

Earlier in the show, Amaro performed a duet of "I Believe I Can Fly" with R. Kelly, which marked Kelly's first performance since undergoing throat surgery earlier this year. Amaro held her own with the singer, but Kells stole the spotlight with his effortless vocal gymnastics, on what was called his first-ever duet of his 1996 smash. For his part, Kells called Amaro "unbelievable," and said, "There's no doubt in my mind this girl is on her way to the moon." While L.A. Reid criticized Amaro for not performing well in the song's key, Cowell backed her 100 percent, calling the performance "close to godly."

Chris Rene, a 28-year-old from Santa Cruz, California, shared the stage early on with Avril Lavigne, as the two performed Lavigne's hit "Complicated" together, complete with a new rap from Rene. Rene's second song was "Young Homie," a song he penned and sang during the audition process and again on the November 22 episode, when he mixed it with the Beatles' "Let It Be."

He earned high marks from the judges, with Paula Abdul dubbing his "Young Homie" performance "magic," while calling Rene — who celebrated his eighth month of sobriety on Tuesday — the "consummate singer-songwriter-performer." "You make everyone fall in love with you!" she beamed. Cowell called him a "brilliant" performer, adding he's a "true gentleman" and a "really nice guy."

Josh Krajcik, a 30-year-old self-described "burrito slinger" from Columbus, Ohio, opened the show with Alanis Morissette, as the two took on her 1998 hit "Uninvited." Krajcik was visibly nervous while sharing the stage with Morissette but was much more in his element during his second song, when he stripped away all the fancy production cues and did "At Last" alone with his guitar. That performance was hailed as a return to form from the judges.

"This is what we liked about you in the first place," said Cowell, while Krajcik's mentor, Nicole Scherzinger, praised his consistency throughout the competition. "You have delivered in every single performance," she told him.

The winner will be crowned on Thursday's two-hour finale, which is set to feature appearances by Justin Bieber, 50 Cent, Leona Lewis, Pitbull and Ne-Yo.

What did you think of the "X Factor" finale? Sound off in the comments!

Related Artists

Avril Lavigne 'Re-Inspired' By 'X Factor' Mentor L.A. Reid

30 Nov 2011 06:53:13 EST

'I never had that connection with anyone ever again,' she tells MTV News of label exec, who signed her at age 15.
By Jocelyn Vena

Avril Lavigne made headlines earlier this month when she signed with Epic Records, reuniting her with early mentor L.A. Reid.

The "X Factor" judge helped shape the early part of the Canadian pop star's career when he discovered her at the top of the millennium and signed her to Arista, launching her to pop-star status. Now that Reid is at Epic, he decided it was a good time to get back together with the singer.

Lavigne couldn't be happier that Reid snatched her up.

"It's really exciting for me, because L.A. Reid signed me. He met me when I was 15, and he signed me on the spot. We did my first album together, and it was really successful and then what happens in the record industry, you know, changes are made," she told MTV News. "We didn't get to work together, and I was so bummed out, 'cause I never had that connection with anyone ever again, like, my whole career at the record company."

Ever since they were split up, Lavigne and Reid have hoped to reunite. "Every time we'd see each other, [we'd be like] 'We want to work together again,' so we've been waiting for this day," she said. "Now he is the president of Epic Records, and I just was able to move over, and so he's taking over for me and we're working together again."

Thanks to their reunion, Lavigne is able to focus on what she does best: make music. "We're also starting music for a new record for 2012," she said. "So I feel, like, really re-inspired, and I feel like it happened at the right time, 'cause I was really discouraged with record-company stuff on my last album. It was not something I was looking forward to dealing with again. Now I'm so excited."

Earlier this year, Lavigne released her album Goodbye Lullaby, which features her current single, the Max Martin-produced ballad "Wish You Were Here."

What are you expecting from Avril and L.A.'s reunion? Let us know in the comments!

Related Videos

MTV News Extended Play: Avril Lavigne

Related Artists

Avril Lavigne

MTV News Extended Play: Avril Lavigne

28 Nov 2011 16:13:52 EST

Related Artists

Avril Lavigne

Avril Lavigne Says 'Wish You Were Here' Single 'Feels Right'

28 Nov 2011 16:11:32 EST

Song about missing someone 'represents the album' well, singer says.
By Jocelyn Vena

Avril Lavigne lets her guard down on her Goodbye Lullaby single "Wish You Were Here." The poignant track is about pining away for that one person you let slip away. The emotional pull of the track, produced by Max Martin and Shellback, is the perfect tune for anyone who's not able to be with the ones they love this holiday season.

"I'm excited about 'Wish You Were Here' being the single because it's a ballad and the song kind of represents the album definitely more so than the first single," she told MTV News about the song, which she performed during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade last week. "That was kind of more my older stuff and more pop rock and aggressive and a lighter subject. Goodbye Lullaby, for me, was a record that I was writing for myself."

"Wish You Were Here" and its simple, Dave Meyers-directed video really sum up the album for Lavigne. "It was more raw and stripped-down and more emotional and I wasn't holding back," she said of working on the album. "[It's] sort of more song driven and the production was mainly just like a lot of acoustic guitars and loops and just all about the vocal; the vocal being clear and having an honest emotion to it. And saying that, yeah, the first two singles ['What the Hell' and 'Smile'] were more pop rock, and so now finally with this one, 'Wish You Were Here,' being released, it feels right."

The song comes from a place deep inside and is very much about someone in Lavigne's life. "I love this song. I like this song because I wrote it about missing somebody and that's something that we all go through at some point in our lives," she explained. "It's just about looking back and remembering all those good times you shared with somebody, all the crazy moments. And that's life. We all experience that at some point, but it has a positive message."

Related Videos

MTV News Extended Play: Avril Lavigne

Related Artists

Avril Lavigne

Avril Lavigne Will Be 'Bundled Up' For Macy's Parade

23 Nov 2011 13:12:28 EST

Goodbye Lullaby singer will perform 'Wish You Were Here' on Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, also featuring Daniel Radcliffe.
By Jocelyn Vena

Avril Lavigne will join the likes of Cee Lo Green, "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying" star Daniel Radcliffe, Mary J. Blige and Cobra Starship for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, airing live, as you might expect, on Turkey Day Thursday. The Goodbye Lullaby singer stopped by the MTV News offices to tease fans about what to expect from her come show day.

"I'm going to be performing on a float and singing my new single 'Wish You Were Here,' and I am planning on being very bundled up," she said, laughing. "And I've never performed in a parade before. Actually, I've been in a parade: I used to be a highland dancer in my hometown growing up, so I did stuff like that.

"I'm singing full on on a float — it's gonna be cool," she added. "New York right now, it's so pretty, and everyone's super getting into the holiday season, so I'm excited. I'm really happy to be a part of it."

A native Canadian, Lavigne already celebrated her country's Thanksgiving last month, but loves the chance to double up on the holiday once November rolls around.

"I'm Canadian, and our Canadian Thanksgiving is a month before yours," she said. "But I live here [in the U.S.], so I celebrate both. I do Thanksgiving twice a year, and it really depends on where I'm traveling and where I'm at, but I'm going to celebrate it this year, and I'm in the States. And I was with my family in Canada this year [for Canadian Thanksgiving], and we're gonna definitely do the whole friends and family sit-down, pig-out Thanksgiving."

Lavigne shared some dishes she likes to fill up on: "I like the potatoes. I like doing squash. If I ever cook it, I like doing butternut squash with rosemary. Sometimes you put brown sugar on it, if you want to be bad, and maple syrup, if you really want to be really bad. Butternut squash and stuffing."

Will you be watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday? Share your plans below!

Related Videos

Extended Play: Avril Lavigne's 'Goodbye Lullaby'

Related Artists

Avril Lavigne

Avril Lavigne Thanks Fans For Support Post-Bar Brawl

09 Nov 2011 11:08:56 EST

Brody Jenner, who was with Lavigne, is pressing charges against his attackers.
By Jocelyn Vena

Avril Lavigne has been receiving lots of love from her fans after news broke that she was hurt in a bar fight in Los Angeles in the early hours of Sunday morning. The singer is grateful for the support she's been receiving.

"Wanted to thank all of my fans, friends and family for their support over the last couple of days. Saw all ur comments and emails xo thank u," she wrote via Twitter. In a previous tweet, she said, "#ViolenceIsNeverTheAnswer."

In the aftermath of the weekend fight at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, police confirmed to E! News that Brody Jenner, who was with Lavigne at the time of the incident, has pressed charges against his attacker or attackers (according to reports, there were up to five). Jenner filed a police report for assault with a deadly weapon. He was allegedly hit with a broken bottle while out partying with Lavigne.

In a statement from his manager, Jenner also thanked his fans for the well wishes he has received since the incident. "Brody Jenner is recovering at home after being assaulted in an unprovoked attack this past Saturday night. He appreciates all the calls of support and well wishes," the statement reads, according to the Los Angeles Times. "As this is an ongoing police investigation, there will be no further statements at this time."

Although little is known about the events of the night, sources tell UsMagazine.com that the altercation took place at Beacher's Madhouse at the Roosevelt. "At first, the girl called Brody something and that set Avril off so she talked sh-- back to them," the source said, adding that Lavigne initially got into an argument with a woman.

"Brody came over aggressively and got involved," the source said. "They were scuffling on the floor. ... Brody was the aggressor and had five guys with him. When they finally got up Brody was bleeding." Another man reportedly came to the defense of the woman Lavigne was fighting.

The source added that "there was no bottle with blood and no bottle broken or anything like that [visible]."

Representatives for Lavigne had not responded to MTV News' request for comment by press time.

Related Artists

Avril Lavigne

Avril Lavigne, Brody Jenner Tweet About Bar Brawl

07 Nov 2011 11:24:18 EST

'I got attacked by 5 people last night out of nowhere. Not cool,' Lavigne writes.
By Jocelyn Vena

Avril Lavigne and her boyfriend, former "Hills" star Brody Jenner, were reportedly in a bar scuffle over the weekend in Los Angeles. Jenner was injured while trying to break up a fight at the Roosevelt Hotel, according to TMZ.

The fight took place early Sunday morning between an unknown woman and Lavigne. The site reported that law enforcement sources say that hotel security broke up the altercation and that Jenner and several others were detained. Police have listed Jenner as a victim in the scuffle. Also according to the report, Jenner was the only one involved who spoke to police; Lavigne and the others had already left by the time investigators arrived. The site also posted a photo of Jenner sporting a head injury. Both Jenner and Lavigne addressed the reports on their respective Twitter accounts.

"I don't fight. I don't believe in it. To clear things up, I got attacked by 5 people last night out of nowhere. Not cool. My face is f---ed," Lavigne tweeted. "As in black eye, bloody nose, hair ripped out, scratches, bruises and cuts. So not ok to be abusive to others. Violence is NEVER the answer."

Jenner also used the social networking site to open up about his injuries. "Interesting Saturday night ... Just got of the hospital with a new scar on my face. Charges/chargers!!!" he wrote.

In a tweet posted before the fight, Jenner seemed more optimistic about his time hanging out with Lavigne. "Having the best night with the love of my life @AvrilLavigne so happy right now!! ... #Movember CRUSH!! Haha," he wrote, tweeting a photo of himself with Lavigne.

When contacted by MTV News, reps for the LAPD and the Roosevelt had no further information on the report. Reps for Jenner and Lavigne had not responded to MTV News' requests for comment by press time.

On Monday morning (November 7), Lavigne seemed to be nursing her wounds. "Thank you @EvanT for coming over to visit me today and bringing me a hello kitty ice pack. I'm so lucky to have a friend like you," she said in an update.

This isn't the first time Jenner has been in a highly publicized bar fight. Back in August 2009, Jenner and then girlfriend Jayde Nicole got into a bar fight with "Girls Gone Wild" creator Joe Francis.

Related Artists

Avril Lavigne

Rihanna Raises A Glass To Fans In 'Cheers' Video

26 Aug 2011 10:36:18 EDT

Avril Lavigne cameos in montage of celebrations off- and onstage.
By James Dinh

Summer is coming to a close, but it looks like Rihanna is going to keep the party going for a little longer. On Friday (August 26), the pop force debuted the video for her celebratory tune "Cheers (Drink to That)," a behind-the-scenes concert montage with brief cameo appearances by Avril Lavigne, Jay-Z and Kanye West.

Chanting fans kick off the almost-five minute clip, which cuts between candid footage of the songstress backstage before and after her shows, and enjoying the festivities during her recent trip to Barbados. Rocking some denim blue shorts, a colorful cropped top and sunglasses, Rihanna also gives fans a glimpse of her performance of the tune during her Loud tour set. "Cheers (Drink to That)" samples Avril Lavigne's yodel from her 2002 hit "I'm With You," so it's only appropriate that the visual includes sporadic blink-of-the-eye appearances from the pop rocker horsing around by the pool.

"It was really exciting because 'I'm With You' is one of my favorite songs that I've done, I always love performing it," Lavigne said last year of being sampled on "Cheers."

"Cheers to the freaking weekend/ I drink to that, yeah yeah/ Oh, let the Jameson sink in/ I drink to that, yeah yeah/ Don't let the bastards get you down/ Turn it around with another round/ There's a party at the bar everybody put your glasses up and I drink to that," Rihanna sings, almost casually, as she's seen toasting fans and friends onstage and in bars.

Hours after the debut, Rih took to Twitter to ask fans what they thought about the clip, writing, "CHEERS... U like??? #drinktothat #RihannaNavy I love yall forever!!!!! Keep making me proud!"

The Rihanna Navy has been pushing for the singer to release "Cheers (Drink to That)" since the LP's release, and there's no denying that the Barbados beauty also has love for the song. "I love that song ['Cheers']. That is one of my favorite songs on the album. It makes you feel like celebrating," Rihanna told MTV News last year. "It gives you a great feeling inside, like you want to go out and have a drink. ... People can't wait for the weekend."

Related Artists

Avril Lavigne Talks Ex-Husband, Life Lessons

09 Mar 2011 09:49:10 EST

'I was really happy to have him produce on this record,' Lavigne says of Sum 41's Deryck Whibley.
By Jocelyn Vena

This week, Avril Lavigne released her new album, Goodbye Lullaby, an emotionally charged record that will leave some fans wondering just who she is singing about. With a highly publicized divorce from Sum 41 singer Deryck Whibley and equally highly publicized romance with "Hills" star Brody Jenner, Lavigne says that she doesn't really care if fans are trying to decode her songs.

"At this point, because I've been doing this for 10 years, I've kind of learned ... my life lesson has been about not worrying about people and what they think," she told MTV News. "Obviously I care. I want people to like my music and stuff. I've had to learn to really focus on myself: who I am, what I want ... You don't want to have distractions, especially when you're being creative."

Lavigne's ex-husband Whibley worked on many of the album's tracks. And considering how well the former spouses get along, the spunky pop star doesn't seem bothered by public speculation about her personal life. "I respect Deryck so much as an artist, and he produced several songs on this record," she explained. "I mean, he's in a really cool band, he's a writer and he's a rocker."

Whibley's skills and the duo's easygoing nature are what helped make magic happen in the studio. "He's a musician. He does it all, and to have him come on this album and produce and mix, it's like he's so talented, I was really happy to have him produce on this record," she added. "He did a really amazing job. We're great friends and I'm grateful for the relationship."

Related Videos