Britney Spears is nearing a deal to serve as judge on next season's "The X Factor," says The Hollywood Reporter. Spears' fiance, agent Jason Trawick, is negotiating the contract which could be signed as soon as next week.
Recently, reports surfaced that the pop superstar was interested in joining the panel, but according to an insider, it was show creator Simon Cowell who made the initial approach. Spears is signed to Sony Music's RCA Records, which absorbed her original label Jive in 2011 and has exclusive music rights to "X Factor" artists.
As one of Sony's Music's marquee acts 33 million albums sold in the U.S. and counting, Spears brings legitimacy as a successful recording artist, something critics of "X Factor" say was missing in last year's competition, as well as a level of unpredictability and drama that also was largely absent from the Fox show when Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul were judges.
To prepare for the seat alongside judges Cowell and Epic Records chairman L.A. Reid, Spears is undergoing extensive media training. Janet Jackson was also in the running as a potential judge, but reportedly bowed out citing previous commitments to tour.
No word yet on who might take the fourth spot. Two hosts have yet to be named as well.
Spears' representative could not be reached for comment. A rep for the show refused to confirm or comment. Fox had no comment.
