Just as it looked like Simon Cowell had created a solid judge’s panel for The X Factor, L.A. Reid has decided to quit the show. Reid, who has been a judge since the show debuted in the U.S. last year, says he needs to concentrate on running the record label Epic Records.
“I have decided that I will not return to The X Factor next year,” Reid told Access Hollywood on Thursday night. “I have to go back, and I have a company to run that I’ve kind of neglected, and it saddens me a little bit, but only a little bit.”
“I have a huge responsibility to a roster of artists," explained Reid, the CEO of Epic. "It's kind of time for me to stop doing 'the me' show and get back to doing 'the them' show.”
As for Cowell, Reid told the Hollywood Reporter he has the “utmost respect” for the entertainment mogul. “He is the very best, and I have had the opportunity to learn so much from him. Working with him on X Factor has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I’m honored to have sat on the panel with such incredible talent,” he added.
Reid is the only season 1 judge besides Cowell that returned for a second season. Original judges Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul were let go due to the lukewarm response to the first season. The women were replaced by pop superstar Britney Spears and former Disney star Demi Lovato.
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