Britney Spears has officially left The X Factor. The pop star announced her decision to not return to the show on Friday. Spears said she plans to return to the recording studio.
"I've made the very difficult decision not to return for another season. I had an incredible time doing the show and I love the other judges and I am so proud of my teens, but it's time for me to get back in the studio," she said in a statement. "Watching them all do their thing up on that stage every week made me miss performing so much! I can't wait to get back out there and do what I love most."
The statement came just one day after an insider told People magazine Spears had decided to leave. "She has made the decision that she won't be returning," the source told People. "She wants to concentrate on her music.”
Spears and former Disney star Demi Lovato joined Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid at the judge’s table for season 2 after the lukewarm response to season 1 prompted Cowell to axe original judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger. Although Spears’ performance as a judge received mixed reviews, her contestant Carly Rose Sonenclar made it to the final 3. Sonenclar finished in second place, losing the $5 million recording contract to Reid’s contestant Tate Stevens. Cowell’s band Fifth Harmony took third place.
There has been no word on whether Lovato will return for another season. Reid announced his departure last month. "I have decided that I will not return to The X Factor next year," the Epic Records CEO told Access Hollywood. "I have a company to run that I've kind of neglected."
###
Click here for more Entertainment News
