Britney Spears Leaves 'The X Factor'

Britney Spears will vacate her post at The X Factor's judging table after just one season.

Reports are mixed as to why Spears, 31, won’t be returning to The X Factor for its third season. Some say that the pop star, feeling the impending axe, decided to beat the network to the punch and quit. Spears has allegedly said that her departure has to do with a need to refocus on her music. She’s currently recording her eighth studio album with Will.i.am and Hit-Boy.

L.A. Reid, who sat next to Spears last season, is also departing the show. The chairman at Epic Records made the announcement last month that he would be leaving The X Factor. Apparently, Reid felt that it was time for him to get back into the music business full time.

The X Factor’s ratings took a dip in its second season due to more reasons than Spears' mentoring and judging abilities. The show also suffered from blasé hosting in the form of Khloe Kardashian and Mario Lopez, and a series of unmemorable performances. But, with a paycheck of $15 million dollars, Spears would make for an obvious cut.

“I think Britney did a really good job,” said Fox entertainment chairman Kevin Reilly at the Television Critics Association press tour on Tuesday. “People remain fascinated with her and always will be. She’s just an interesting figure who’s lived a unique life, and I thought she brought some of that. And people got to know her a little bit. Maybe some people were waiting for more of some nature that never came."

While it’s certain that Simon Cowell will be returning for The X Factor’s third season, there’s been no confirmation that Demi Lovato will return by his side. There’s also been no word yet as to who will replace Spears and Reid.

Check out this tribute to Britney's best X Factor faces below: