'X Factor' Judges Discuss 'Bizarre' Performances, Infighting

Britney Spears admits the other judges 'ganged up' on her when they disagreed with her critique of a contestant.
By John Mitchell

<P>"The X Factor" judges Britney Spears, Demi Lovato, L.A. Reid and Louis Walsh, the British "X Factor" panelist who has been sitting in for Simon Cowell while he recovers from bronchitis, are in Kansas City, Missouri, as auditions for the second season of the reality singing competition continue. The group gave their first interview since Spears and Lovato were announced as judges at the Fox upfronts.</P><P>The judges discussed the "bizarre" performances they've seen, how they get along, whether Spears' and Lovato's careers as performers make them more sympathetic or critical of the contestants, and the one time everyone ganged up on Britney.</P><P>"I feel like we've had a little bit of bizarre performances overall," Spears said of the Kansas City performances. "There have been some good ones, but for the most part, there's been some that were pretty bad!"</P><P><img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://c.gigcount.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.11NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEzMzk*NTY5MzE5MjMmcHQ9MTMzOTQ1NjkzNTI*MiZwPSZkPSZnPTImbz1jMGY3ZmFmYjY*OTU*MTQzYTBjYWM1Zjdh/NjVlM2ZhMiZvZj*w.gif" /></P><P>Reid admitted that he and Spears "get along good," but that much like Cowell, Walsh has been the quippy thorn in Reid's side.</P><P>Luckily for Walsh, though, he does get along with the two women judges. "Britney likes me and Demi likes me," he said.</P><P>Asked which judge the rest of the team tends to agree with the most, Reid said that Spears has the best eye for contestants that have that special something. "We tend to agree with Britney more than others. Honestly, I'm being funny, but she has amazing taste."</P><P>"You ganged up on me one time though," Spears quickly countered, half-jokingly. "You three guys did. One time, [and] it wasn't nice!"</P><P>"One time out of 75 auditions, that's not bad," Reid replied.</P><P>As for what makes Spears happiest when judging, she said, "It's the best feeling when someone comes onstage and just makes us want to stand up and gives us energy."</P><P>Having made their names as entertainers, both Spears and Lovato admitted that their careers have helped them relate to the contestants because they've "been in their shoes." But it's a double-edged sword because it has made both judges more sympathetic to the show's contestants, particularly when they have to deliver bad news.</P><P>"It's something I've definitely had to learn. At first, I really didn't even want to do it," Lovato said of having to criticize contestants. "It's easier to say, when you're having meetings with people, 'Oh yeah, it will totally come easy,' or something. But when I got in the seat and had to give negative criticism to somebody ... it sucks. But they're asking for your advice, and by stepping on that stage, they also know that you could not like their performance. They're taking a chance, and I'm going to take a chance by telling them something that I believe."</P><P>The interview comes on the heels of news that all four judges walked off the set after a disastrous audition in which a contestant &#8212; who reportedly wasn't a particularly talented singer &#8212; sang with his back to the panel. "It was really awkward," a source told People.com. "They didn't want to waste their time."</P><P>People also reported that Spears is proving to be a tougher judge than many expected. A source told the magazine, "She's got a really good instinct, and when she loves something, she looks like she wants to dance on the desk. When she doesn't like someone, she is incredibly tough."</P><P>For her part, the pop star insists her firm stance is in the best interest of the contestants. "It's all tough love ... I promise!" Spears tweeted along with a link to the <i>People</i> article.</P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="Britney Spears Explains Why She Wanted To Be A Part Of 'X Factor'" id="vid:769620" width="415" height="255"></div><p></p>

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Gymnast Gabby Douglas' Mom: A Party "No Matter What"

Her daughter may be called the “flying squirrel” for the way she flies across the uneven bars and for stretch and height she achieves on her leaps. Her mom should be called “Ms. Grounded” for seeming to have it all in perspective, even as her daughter, 16-year-old Gabrielle “Gabby” Douglas, is poised to become a household name. She is one of only two American women who will compete for gold in the all-around gymnastics final. She and her teammates will also try to become the first American women’s team since 1996 to win team gold on Tuesday.

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Could Kristen Stewart's Apology Affect Her Career?

Kristen Stewart shocked her longtime boyfriend and fans alike when she issued a public apology to Robert Pattinson for cheating on him with director Rupert Sanders. Despite her earnest sentiments, some Hollywood insiders think Stewart's airing of such a personal matter was a seriously misguided move.

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Britney Spears 'X Factor' Rumors Are 'Nonsense,' Simon Cowell Says

'She's got her confidence up. Once people give her a chance, I think people are really going to get her,' Cowell says of new judge.
By John Mitchell

<P>Simon Cowell is clearly feeling better &#8212; after missing "The X Factor" auditions in Kansas City, Missouri, due to a bout of bronchitis &#8212; and he's talking Britney Spears.</P><P>Cameramen from X17 caught up with Cowell while he was riding in his town car in Beverly Hills, and they found the oft-testy reality-show judge and music executive to be in a particularly good mood. Cowell addressed a variety of tabloid rumors regarding Spears &#8212; namely that she's had some issues on set and that she's shaping up to be one of the tougher judges.</P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="Britney Spears Explains Why She Wanted To Be A Part Of 'X Factor'" id="vid:769620" width="415" height="255"></div><p></P><P>When a cameraman asked whether "Britney's too unstable" to judge "X Factor," Cowell responded, "No, she's not unstable. I'm the one who's unstable! She's working out great. All these reports that we've fallen out are nonsense. She's doing a great job."</P><P>Cowell's car then pulls away, but again comes to a stop in traffic, allowing the paparazzi to continue his questioning. Asked whether Spears was his favorite judge, Cowell said, "There's only two girls," referring to Demi Lovato, and went on to jokingly admit that he is his own favorite of all time. "Yeah, I'd say Simon Cowell is a great guy," he quipped. "Very good looking."</P><P>Pressed further about Spears, Cowell offered more praise for the pop singer. "Like I said, she's been amazing. She's really taking time to learn how to do this," he continued. "She's got her confidence up. Once people give her a chance, I think people are really going to get her. It will be a big surprise. She's a tough judge."</P><P>As tough as the famously direct Cowell? "I'm a pussycat," he said playfully as his car pulled away.</P><P>We guess all that talk that Spears has been "incredibly tough" on contestants might not be far from the truth. For her part, Spears responded to those rumors herself, taking to Twitter to say, "It's all tough love ... I promise!"</P><P><i>Share your thoughts about Britney Spears judging "X Factor" in the comments below!</i></p>

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Lady Gaga To Make Acting Debut In 'Machete Kills'

'Filming was insane,' Gaga tweets about her role as Lady Chameleon in Robert Rodriguez's upcoming flick, also starring Charlie Sheen.
By Christina Garibaldi

<P>Lady Gaga can now add "actress" to her long list of accomplishments. On Thursday (July 26), director Robert Rodriguez revealed that Lady Gaga will make her acting debut in his much-anticipated flick "Machete Kills," taking on the role of Lady Chameleon.</P><P>"I just finished working with @LadyGaga on @MacheteKills," Rodriguez tweeted. "She kicked SO MUCH ASS! Holy Smokes. Blown away!"</P><P>Shortly after, Gaga confirmed the news to her 27 million-plus Twitter fans: "Yes its true, I will be making my debut as an actress in the amazing MACHETE KILLS BY @RODRIGUEZ," Gaga tweeted. "IM SO EXCITED!!! AH! Filming was insane."</P><P>Little is known about Gaga's character, Lady Chameleon, but the new actress did post a photo of herself in character, and in true Gaga fashion, everyone is talking about what she is wearing. Sporting short blond hair, Gaga looks sultry as she holds a smoking gun with a full white wolf wrapped around her body.</P><P>Lady Gaga joins an impressive roster of castmembers including Mel Gibson, Danny Trejo, Jessica Alba, Demi&#225;n Bichir, Amber Heard, Zoe Saldana, Sofia Vergara and Charlie Sheen taking on the role of President of the United States.</P><P>"Machete Kills" is a sequel to Rodriguez's 2010 "Machete," which began as a fake B-movie trailer in Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino's 2007 "Grindhouse." In Rodriguez's next installment of the planned trilogy, Machete is being recruited by the U.S. government to travel through Mexico to stop a cartel leader and an arms dealer who has launched a weapon into space.</P><P>With the movie being released next year, Gaga is gearing up for a big 2013. She has been hard at work on her follow-up album to 2011's <i>Born This Way</i> and gave fans a sneak peek by playing a new song out of her car in New York City. In September, Gaga is expected to reveal the title of her much-anticipated new album.</P><P><i>Are you excited for Lady Gaga's acting debut? Let us know in the comments below!</i></P><P><b>Check out everything we've got on "Machete Kills."</P><P>For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more &#8212; updated around the clock &#8212; visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.</b></p>

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