Demi Lovato Quits 'The X Factor'
Demi Lovato will not be returning to The X Factor as a judge.
After months of rumors, Simon Cowell confirmed the exit of the 21-year-old from the reality TV show singing competition. He confirmed her exit to E! News and other media outlets on Wednesday.
"I always knew she wasn't coming back because she's touring, so I knew that," Cowell said.
Lovato will be on the road for her Neon Lights tour in 2014. The tour is scheduled to start on Feb. 9 in Vancouver. She joined the show in its second season, but now is ready to return to her first passion.
"I started the show being a singer and a musician, and so I'm going to go back to that," Lovato said. "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."
Despite leaving, Lovato stated that she would miss her fellow judges, Kelly Rowland and Paulina Rubio.
"Being able to sit next to Kelly and Paulina and see them twice a week, and also helping mentor the contestants," she said.
The fate of the other judges have not yet been revealed, but there has been no assurance that the show will even return for a fourth season. The X Factor has been plagued by decreasing ratings. Cowell recently promised a return and acknowledged possible tweaks next year.
"We have to be more different next year than we were this year," Cowell said. "So, we're in the middle of a presentation to Fox to say this is what we think the show should look like, this is what we think the fans would like. And, yes, my role could change on that show. But, I can't say much more than that."