X Factor: Britney Spears Fired for Ratings Failure; Fiance Leaving Once Filming Is Over?
December 19, 2012 by Hollywoodite
Simon Cowell has been pretty honest about throwing money at Britney Spears in hopes of an X Factor ratings boon.
He offered a permissive contract full of caveats pertaining to her mental health care, and her fiance, and breaks, and letting her get away with a lot on the assumption that people would tune in to gawk at the singer. There was the rather cruel assumption that it was only a matter of time until she forgot her lines, panicked, or “lost it” during a live show. But it never happened.
Spears sat in abeyance, mostly, aside from comments allegedly fed to her through an earpiece. She was a non-factor who looked stiff and terrified on red carpets for the show, and pulled a myriad of unusual faces during the audition portion of the show. None of which was a ratings draw (incidentally, Spears and co-host Khloe Kardashian are being blamed for this season’s ratings).
So a source says Cowell’s going to replace Spears: “Simon had hoped Britney would be a ratings boost but that simply hasn’t happened. It’s no coincidence she is not in talks about a new deal [whereas Demi Lovato is and L.A. Reid is leaving].” Eight million viewers watched this season’s episodes compared to an average of 12 million last year. The source continues: “She just doesn’t seem to be cut out for a TV talent show.”
In related news, there have been tabloid rumours of unrest in Spears’ relationship with her fiance. And now a source for Hollyscoop.com says he’s going to take the money and run as soon as X Factor is over. “Jason has told Britney’s entire family that he’s planning to leave her,” says the source. “So that Britney will have a support system when he breaks the bad news.”
Jason Trawick reportedly wants to stay on as manager after splitting from Spears.