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Music mogul and reality TV personality Simon Cowell is keeping tight-lipped about who will be sitting on the panel on The X Factor USA when the new season starts next month.
He has declined to comment on any of the speculation surrounding possible new judges, confirming only that they would definitely be two females.
It was announced earlier this year that season one judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger would not be returning alongside Cowell and fellow judge LA Reid for season two.
Among the famous faces linked to the judging roles are Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Fergie and, most recently, Britney Spears, but Cowell refused to confirm or deny any rumours at a recent press conference.
“There has been loads of speculation, some true, some not true,” he said. “It’s true to say a lot more people have entered the frame this year and we really waited to see who would contact us before we actually contacted people.
“We’re in that place right now, which is a good place to be in. We will meet a number of people over the next few weeks mainly to explain to them this is a big commitment because of the mentoring aspect.”
Cowell added: “I can’t confirm or deny any of these rumours at the moment.”
When pressed on speculation that Spears was a possibility, he would only say: “I couldn’t comment on it. Are we flattered that there could be interest? Yes. Other than that, there will be a lot of twists and turns over the next few weeks and a lot of things we will announce.”
He added: “While we have Idol and The Voice competing against each other, I’ve learned one lesson – keep your mouth shut and don’t give it all away!”
Cowell previously suggested that The X Factor didn’t need an A-list judging panel, saying the main focus of the show should remain on the contestants rather than the judges’ profiles.
