X-Factor

Gene Simmons spent Father's Day with Simon Cowell and Britney Spears ... but not by choice -- he joined his daughter at the last minute as she tried out for "X-Factor."

Sources close to "X-Factor" tell TMZ ... Sophie Simmons showed up at the San Francisco auditions today ... saying she wanted a "fair shot" and telling the judges, "This isn't about my dad. This is about my audition."

Of course ... her famous father was in attendance, but we're told he almost didn't make it. Sources say the KISS front man got a surprise call from his 19-year-old daughter the night before ... saying she couldn't come home for Father's Day because she was trying her hand at the talent competition.

We're told Gene decided to hop on a private jet and made it just in time to see his daughter belt out some tunes.

Doing his best Great Gatsby impersonation, Simon Cowell was spotted going old school in a classic car in Beverly Hills on Wednesday.

If "X Factor" existed before Britney Spears was famous ... and she competed on the show ... Brit would easily have won the grand prize -- this according to "X Factor" judge L.A. Reid.

Mr. Reid was at the airport in New York this afternoon, and we asked how Britney would have fared if she was on "X Factor" as a young teen -- and Reid replied, "If I was a judge ... she would have won."

But if Reid WASN'T a judge ... we gotta ask ...

All four "X-Factor" judges just pulled a Britney and high-tailed it off set, TMZ has learned, after witnessing the worst audition in the history of auditioning.

Sources at the taping in Kansas City tell TMZ ... Britney, Demi, L.A. Reid and Simon Cowell's stand-in, Louis Walsh, couldn't stomach one more second of a certain wannabe superstar's "singing" and were so disgusted by it ... they walked out mid-audition.

We're told it all went down because the guy auditioning walked on stage, claimed to be "better than Chris Brown," and then turned his back to the judges to sing with his eyes closed. After a few bars of melodic torture, the audience started booing and the judges peaced out.

The judges all eventually returned, we're told, but Britney need a little extra time to get over what just went down.

Simon Cowell picked a bad day to call in sick for "X Factor" auditions -- because Britney Spears, Demi Lovato and fill-in judge Louis Walsh enjoyed cake backstage yesterday in Kansas City with the birthday boy ... L.A. Reid.

Brit stumbled in her high heels as she exited her limo, but quickly recovered ... to begin her first judging gig since San Antonio two weeks ago -- when Britney mysteriously walked off set and disappeared for several acts.

We're told Britney's bringing her A-game today -- showing up on time in a sexy white dress and signing autographs for adoring fans.

That's not to say things are going perfectly -- Simon Cowell is a no-show today due to a bad case of bronchitis. UK "X Factor" judge Louis Walsh is filling in.

L.A. Reid and Demi Lovato were also there.

Jennifer Lopez helped Britney Spears secure a $15 million paycheck for "X Factor" -- because Britney had one intractable demand ... she had to make more than J Lo did for her first season on "American Idol."

JLo raked in $12 mil for her first season on "American Idol." There are reports she made $20 mil for the season that just ended, but we hear it's less than that.

Sources very familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... Britney's bottom line was no less than $13 mil. But sources connected with "X Factor" tell us Britney initially asked for a lot more -- $20 mil.

As we first reported, Britney and "X Factor" eventually settled on $15 mil for the season.

Simon Cowell thinks just because some singers are talentless, superstar wannabes not worthy to compete on "X-Factor" ... it does not mean they wouldn't be perfect for ... "The Voice." OH SNAP!

Sources who attended the Austin "X-Factor" auditions tell TMZ ... Simon and L.A. Reid came up with the brilliant idea to mess with the NBC show by convincing bad singers to audition for "The Voice" instead.

L.A. Reid was overheard on set telling one such wannabe, "If you decide to try out again, please do it on another show." To which Simon added, "Yes, the good news is I hear 'The Voice' auditions are happening next week."

Simon Cowell and Britney Spears want TMZ to know ... despite our stories about Britney having a tough time judging "X Factor" ... they couldn't be happier. Let's be real -- Britney says she's talking to Harvey in the video, but she's really talkin' to you.

As TMZ first reported, Britney walked off during shooting on Thursday ... leaving four contestants to sing to an empty chair. Yesterday Britney took one short break during taping, but was otherwise much more outgoing than on Day 1.

We starting poking around late yesterday because we heard rumblings that Britney might be having second thoughts, but she and Simon want to make it clear -- Britney is going nowhere.

We gotta ask ...

She's baaaaaaaaaaaaack ... Britney Spears just showed up for the second day of filming "X Factor" in Austin, Texas today -- wearing the same dress as yesterday ... for continuity.

It should be exciting ... at least if it's anything like Britney's first day -- when the singer walked off the set in the middle of auditions, disappearing for four full performances.

Some sources say Britney was upset over a contestant's rendition of her song "Hold It Against Me." Others say Britney just needed a break.

But it doesn't matter -- as we first reported, Britney's got "X Factor" over a barrel ... locking down a contract that pretty much allows her to do whatever the hell she wants.

3:37 PM PT -- That's a wrap for now. The judges just finished one of today's tapings and waved goodbye to the audience ... check out all those Apple products.

3:32 PM PT -- Britney just said yes to a contestant the other three judges rejected -- saying, "I'll sign you personally, sweetie." One problem ... Britney doesn't have a label.

2:25 PM PT -- We're told Britney has had a great start to the day and seems much more confident -- even getting so bold as to disagree with Simon. She did take one short break, about five minutes, and she missed one audition ... which everyone on set was totally ok with.

1:50 PM PT -- ALL the judges are wearing the same outfits as yesterday -- and sources tell us, the reason is producers didn't get all the shots they needed on the first day of filming ... and need to fill in some gaps.

Britney already seems to be in better spirits today than yesterday ... spotted dancing behind the judges' table with Demi Lovato with Simon Cowell sitting beside them.

The honchos at "X Factor" wanted Britney Spears so badly, they literally gave away the candy store by giving her the right to do things during production that are not "normal" ... and that includes taking breaks whenever her little heart desires.

As TMZ reported, Britney walked off the set yesterday during the first taping, leaving behind an empty judge's chair while 4 contestants did their thing.

Sources connected with the production tell us Britney was "overwhelmed" and needed to leave. People who were at the taping tell us she was upset by the audience reacting negatively to some of her comments.

Fact is ... "X Factor" wanted Britney so desperately, she was able to negotiate terms that are "unheard of" -- so say people with direct knowledge of her deal. As one source put it, "Simon is a smart and shrewd businessman who knew Britney could make his show and he was willing to give her just about anything to come on board -- and he did."

So Britney is allowed to walk off any time she wants. And that's just the beginning. Britney can do just about anything she wants ... and get $15 million in the process.

Britney Spears walked off the set of "X Factor" moments ago ... and according to several people in the audience, she was upset after a contestant butchered her song, "Hold It Against Me."

Britney did not come back immediately ... and four contestants auditioned in front of the remaining judges ... and an empty seat.

Someone connected with the show tells us Britney was not upset over the song -- and that she "Just took a short break."

Auditions are set to kick off any minute at the Erwin Center in Austin -- and we're told Britney's fellow "X Factor" judges Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid are there too.

Demi Lovato also showed up ... and got dissed by a fan holding a sign that says, "Go Britney."

Britney Spears spoke to FOX cameras before she took the stage at yesterday's Upfronts ... and she did so while chewing a piece of gum. Ding dang, y'all!!!

Britney ditched the gum by the time she went in front of the advertisers ... so clearly someone caught a glimpse of Brit's red carpet faux pas and corrected it.

For what it's worth ... Simon Cowell was chewing away too!

The gum wasn't the only thing Britney was chompin' on during yesterday's festivities -- Brit took a few bites out of her fingernails, too.

Despite the unwavering support from her new boss Simon Cowell, Britney seems to be taking out her pre-show anxiety on her cuticles ... a problem she's been dealing with for years.

In fact, Britney made a New Year's resolution to drop the habit in 2008, saying ... "Next year, I have to learn to stop biting my nails! I would like to stop worrying so much, because I worry all the time."

Simon Cowell isn't bothered one bit at the prospect of Britney Spears falling apart during a live episode of "X Factor" ... insisting whatever happens will be ratings GOLD!!

Simon was leaving ABC Kitchen in NYC last night after a dinner date with the other new "X Factor" judge Demi Lovato ... when we asked the $15 million question -- "Are you nervous with Britney being on live TV?"

Some people are concerned about Brit because of her ongoing mental health issues ... highlighted by the fact she's still under a conservatorship. Simon is NOT one of those people.