Britney Spears Offered $10M for ‘X Factor’

Simon Cowell has reportedly offered Britney Spears $10 million to become a judge on the second season of The X Factor. Cowell and the producers of the singing competition recently fired judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger in the hopes of landing bigger stars. Janet Jackson was reportedly in talks with Cowell as well, but it’s unclear whether or not the offer to Spears jeopardizes her chances of also signing with the show.

If Spears takes the gig, she would be one of the top earners in reality television, eclipsing her old rival Christina Aguilera‘s pay for The Voice but lagging just behind Jennifer Lopez, who signed on to the current season of American Idol for $12 million.

“I’m fascinated by Britney,” Cowell said in a conference call with the press last week, acknowledging the possibility that Spears could join his show. “The fact that she’s one of the most talked about ”” not just pop stars, but people ”” in the world today means that you’ve got this star power. She’s still hot, she’s still having hit records, and she’s still controversial. There’s a reason for that.”

The X Factor is set to return to television this fall. In addition to a new lineup of judges, the series will also have a new pair of hosts, though Cowell has yet to announce who will be taking on those duties.