After unexpected exits by Paula Abdul, Nicole Scherzinger and Steve Jones, a source tells The Hollywood Reporter that L.A. Reid, the Epic Records chief has signed a deal to return to judge the Fox show next year. He was the one X Factor cast member audiences seemed to embrace. Reid, a veteran music executive, was among the talents who truly shined during the show’s inaugural run, showing no hesitation when it came to expressing his opinion honestly. In fact, his candid critiques had many thinking Reid was meaner than one-time Mr Nasty, Cowell. Who else might be sitting to his and Cowell’s side on next year’s X Factor? Rumours are that Beyonce or Mariah Carey might be coming to the show.
