Demi Lovato plans to leave her post at the X-Factor judges’ table following the end of the show’s third season on Thursday night.

Demi Lovato Leaving 'X Factor'

Lovato, 21, wants 2014 to be all about her own music career, getting back into the work that landed her a spot as a judge and talent coach on the singing competition show in the first place.

"I started the show being a singer and a musician, and so I'm going to go back to that," Lovato told reporters on Wednesday. "It's been really great, but I'm so excited for 2014. I'm going to dedicate it completely and entirely to music – touring and making a new album. Possibly releasing one."

Lovato’s decision to take her leave of the X Factor came as little surprise to Simon Cowell, who knows and understands the 21-year-old’s ambitions in the industry. "I always knew she wasn't coming back because she's touring, so I knew that," Cowell said.

"She plans to spend next year completely focused on her music," an insider told People. "She had a great run and a good time.”

What will Lovato miss most upon exiting the X Factor? "Being able to sit next to Kelly [Rowland] and Paulina [Rubio] and see them twice a week,” she revealed. “And also helping mentor the contestants."

Why Lovato Delayed Touring For 'Demi'

Some were surprised when Lovato returned to the show following her debut in its second season. She’d released Demi in May, so it was assumed her time would have been better spent promoting the album on tour. Lovato disagreed, believing that the tour could wait until she reaped the benefits of one more season on X Factor.

"When you have the opportunity to be in front of America every single week several times a week, that's a very incredible opportunity, not only because your fans get to know you better, but … I was on the Disney Channel forever, and was waiting for that right job that would help me cross over to the mainstream world,” Lovato told Billboard earlier this year. “I was not only in front of my fans every week, but I was also in front of adults. I never used to get recognized by adults, and now when I'm at the airport or the grocery store, the guy behind the register will be like, 'I love you on X Factor!' It's really awesome to have expanded my fan base," she said.

Lovato will kick off her Neon Light’s tour on Feb. 9 in Vancouver. Cher Lloyd, Fifth Harmony and Little Mix – all of which have X Factor ties – will be featured as supporting artists. Lovato will also be seen on Glee as Santana’s love interest Dani when it returns after its winter hiatus.

– Chelsea Regan

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