X-Factor

Demi Lovato is exactly 1/15th the celebrity Britney Spears is ... at least in the salary department.

Sources tell TMZ, the 19-year-old singer's raking in just north of a million to join the gang on "X Factor" -- still damn impressive, but face it ... she's no Britney.

Simon Cowell raved about Demi, praising her accomplishments at such a young age ... insisting she will connect with younger viewers.

As we reported, Britney signed a record $15 million deal to work as a judge on the show -- so Demi's getting table scraps ... but in the TV biz, scraps can make you a millionaire.

And just to show how desperately Demi wanted to appease her new "X Factor" overlords -- we're told the former Disney star even structured her upcoming tour around the "X Factor" tapings.

It's the biggest TV news in a long time -- Britney Spears officially signing on to judge the next season of "X Factor" for $15 MILLION -- but Brit looked nervous during the big announcement today.

Simon Cowell made the announcement moments ago at the Upfronts in New York -- publicly unveiling the two newest judges on "X Factor" ... Britney and Demi Lovato.

But unlike Demi, Britney sort of pulled a poker face when Simon called her name.

And when Britney briefly spoke, she sounded nervous, saying, "I am so excited about this whole experience. It's gonna be so much fun and so different from anything I've ever done and I'm ready to find the true star." Demi added, "I am totally stoked to be here!"

Simon Cowell finally announced what we all knew was coming ... Britney Spears is joining "X Factor" ... and so is some other girl.

Cowell just tweeted a photo of himself with Britney, L.A. Reid and the show's 4th judge Demi Lovato (pictured hovering awkwardly over Simon's shoulder).

Simon included a message with the pic -- "Can't believe it's finally happened. Very exciting!"

FOX just made the announcement at the Upfronts in NYC -- where advertisers vie for commercial airtime on TV shows "up front" ... several months before the shows actually premiere.

As we reported, negotiations between Britney and "X Factor" honchos went right down to the wire. Britney's conservators -- her fiance Jason Trawick and her dad Jamie Spears -- signed the $15 million deal on her behalf.

Despite snagging Britney Spears and Demi Lovato for "The X Factor," former "American Idol" honcho Simon Cowell has hit a new low ... cut top.

While arriving to the "Britain's Got Talent" afterparty at the Dorchester Hotel in London last night, the 52-year-old mogul -- and his pack of Kool cigs -- nearly had a nip slip as his severely unbuttoned shirt showed off his sexy hairy man-bosoms.

Britney Spears is getting all gussied up for the big announcement today -- that she and Demi Lovato will join "X Factor" as the new judges.

Negotiations went right down to the wire between Britney and "X Factor" honchos. Her fiance, Jason Trawick, who you also see in the video, along with daddy Jamie Spears (not in video) signed the deal since they are Britney's conservators.

Britney didn't talk as she walked around her hotel -- the swanky Mandarin Oriental, but she did faintly nod affirmatively when asked if she was excited to work with Demi.

One funny thing ... In the clip you also see "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson, who says the additions of Britney and Demi to "X Factor" are "hot." Randy clearly knows where his bread is buttered.

Demi Lovato has officially signed her deal and will be a judge on the next season of "The X Factor" ... TMZ has learned.

According to our sources, Demi will be in NYC tomorrow for the FOX Upfronts to announce her joining the show.

Demi is scheduled to tour this summer, but our sources say her "X Factor" schedule shouldn't interfere with her touring.

Lovato should have company tomorrow ... as TMZ previously reported, our sources say Britney Spears will be in NYC to announce she's joining the show as well.

Britney Spears is set to make a big splash Monday by personally appearing at the FOX Upfronts in New York City for the announcement that she will be joining "X Factor."

As we reported, as of Friday AM the deal was NOT signed, contrary to various reports. There were some fairly minor issues that still needed resolving and both sides were hoping to finalize it by end of day Friday or over the weekend.

Britney will not sign the deal because she's under a conservatorship -- Co-conservators Jamie Spears and Jason Trawick will do the honors.

Britney Spears has NOT signed on to do "X Factor," contrary to numerous reports.

Sources connected with Britney tell us, they are "very close" to signing, working out the last few details, but the deal has not been inked.

TMZ broke the story ... Britney will be making $15 million as a judge next season.

We're told the deal should be signed in the next day or two. The goal is for FOX to make the announcement Monday at the Upfronts in NYC -- that's where the Fall lineup is unveiled.

For her part, we're told Britney is really into it and the deal will definitely be signed, but not by her. Since she's under a conservatorship, Jamie Spears and Jason Trawick -- the co-conservators -- will be the ones to sign their John Hancocks.

Who will be the next judge on "X-Factor"? Britney Spears ... Demi Lovato ... Miley Cyrus ... Chaka Khan ... er, what?

That's right ... sources close to the Queen of Funk tell TMZ ... Chaka is throwing her hat in the ring to snag one of two vacant spots on Simon Cowell's hit talent show.

We're told Chaka -- who has 10 Grammy awards -- is dying to be considered for the lucrative gig and instructed her people to reach out to producers of the show, claiming to be perfect for the part ... toting her 40 plus years of experience in the biz.

Don't get too excited funk fans ... there's no word on whether she's actually been called back.

Demi Lovato is the front-runner for the 4th seat on the "X Factor" judge's panel, but she hasn't gotten an offer yet ... sources connected with Fox Network tell TMZ.

We broke the story, producers are close to sealing a deal with Britney Spears to fill one of the 2 vacant chairs, but that deal is still in negotiations -- it is NOT closed. We're told both sides expect to reach an agreement and if they do Britney will end up with $15 mil for the season.

Lovato certainly has a fiery personality -- as we reported, she once socked a female back-up dancer in the face during the Jonas Brothers tour.

Britney Spears and "X Factor" have struck a deal that will line the singer's pocket to the tune of $15 million for next season ... TMZ has learned.

We're told Britney's team and "X Factor" big wigs are working out "the fine points" of the deal, but the major terms are locked.

Once the final contract is drafted and signed ... it will go to Jamie Spears, Britney's daddy and conservator, as well as lawyers for the conservatorship. If they sign off, it must then go to the judge who oversees the conservatorship for approval.

Sources connected with the deal tell us ... it's a "virtual certainty" everyone will sign off. By the way, we're told Jason Trawick is "very involved" in the negotiations.

Simon Cowell, the "X Factor" Executive Producer, told us on TMZ Live Tuesday, "I would love to have her on the show. I think she would be a fascinating person to sit next to." Simon said they may make an announcement within a week.

Britney would fill one of two vacant seats on the judging panel. She's also way more expensive than the castoffs -- Nicole Scherzinger reportedly pulled in $1.5 million, while Paula Abdul raked in $2.5 mil.

"X Factor" refused to confirm or deny our story.

Simon Cowell has finally admitted ... he's GUNNING HARD to get Britney Spears as a judge on the next season of "X Factor."

Cowell just called in to "TMZ Live" ... and told us, "I would love to have her on the show ... I think she would be a fascinating person to sit next to."

Simon said he couldn't reveal too much about the negotiations ... but did seem optimistic and hinted that he would have an answer from Britney's camp within the week.

Simon Cowell has learned the hard way not to sleep with strangers, because when he woke up he realized he had been robbed of a computer that contained X Factor secrets.

TMZ has confirmed ... last October, Simon hooked up with a girl he met at Drai's nightclub in Hollywood. He took her home, but the next morning she was gone and so was his computer and his wallet loaded with cash.

Simon -- who has his Bev Hills mansion wired for security -- called the cops. The footage showed the woman, cops tracked her down and she handed over the computer and the wallet sans cash.

Although it's unclear exactly when Simon broke up with fiancee Mezhgan Hussainy, sources connected with Simon tell us it was BEFORE the theft.

With two judging slots to fill, it seems the folks at "X Factor" might not have to look far to fill one of the spots ... because former L.A. Reid protégé Avril Lavigne is interested in the gig ... TMZ has learned.

According to our sources, Avril had her people reach out to the folks at "X Factor" to let them know she'd like to be considered for the job. Our sources says Avril feels that since she came up in the biz at such a young age, she can mentor the kids on the show the right way.

We're told talks are already happening between the two sides.

Simon Cowell says he's still close with Paula Abdul -- even though he just fired her ass -- and plans to work with her again in the very near future.

Cowell just released a statement about the bloodbath at "X Factor" ... saying, "I want to say a massive thank you to Paula, Nicole and Steve for being part of the 'X Factor' last year."

Paula Abdul got the ax from "X Factor" ... TMZ has learned.

It's a stunning development, given that Simon Cowell personally recruited Paula after she was booted from "American Idol."

Sources also tell TMZ ... Paula got the news from a lawyer connected with the show, and has yet to hear from Simon.

Paula's pink slip now sits on top of those delivered to Nicole Scherzinger and Steve Jones.

Our sources say Simon has not found replacements for the cast members who got booted.

Paula just issued a statement, claiming she harbors no hard feelings toward Simon over the split -- "Simon and I, along with Fox and Fremantle, have been communicating about this for a while now, and I have absolute understanding of the situation."

Paula adds, "Simon is, and will remain, a dear friend of mine and I’ve treasured my experience working this past season."