‘The X Factor’ USA: Kelly Rowland close to joining Demi Lovato, Simon Cowell

With “The X Factor” USA auditions beginning next week, Fox and Simon Cowell are getting close to finalizing their judging panel. Based on the reporting coming out now, they thankfully look to be emphasizing personality and capability over star power.

According to Entertainment Weekly, former Destiny’s Child member Kelly Rowland is very close to signing a deal to be a part of the show’s third season, which we are sure that the uninformed are going to see as a step in the wrong direction, given that Britney Spears was previously in the role. Here’s the distinction: Britney was a pretty awful judge who was vacant on the live shows. Rowland was on the British version for a year, and really did a pretty fantastic job. The only reason it didn’t work out was because Rowland prefers to spend her time in America. Mind you, Rowland is also a pretty big name, and you have to wonder whether or not she’ll call Beyonce up (especially since she and the show share a sponsor in Pepsi) to be at judges’ houses.

There is still one other opening to go along with Simon and Demi Lovato, and the current frontrunner here appears to be Latin star Paulina Rubio. We’re not so sure on that one, mostly because we don’t know anything about her. It could be a great choice, or it could be a disaster. We’ll just have to trust that Simon has done proper screen tests, and really is going on chemistry this time to help make his show fun since the show has been drippy, robotic, and at times frustrating to watch the past two years.

This news comes at a time when the British show is also trying to finalize its new judging lineup, and Sharon Osbourne is a leading candidate over there.

Photo: Fox