Janet Jackson Hints at Joining 'X Factor' Judges Panel
Janet Jackson recently hinted that she may become an "X-Factor" judge, joining a long list of Hollywood celebrities who have been rumored to be replacing former judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger.
In an interview with renowned journalist, Anderson Cooper, the 45-year-old appeared to be caught off guard when asked whether she will be joining "X-Factor" as a judge.
"Oh my God," Jackson said before bursting into laughter, "No, I'm not a judge on 'The X Factor'...but that's all I really think I should say," she added.
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The singer was speaking on Cooper's talk show "Anderson," and critics suspect that Jackson may have been reluctant to elaborate because she is in fact replacing one of the two fired judges.
In a bid to boost low ratings, "X Factor" producer Simon Cowell has allegedly started courting a series of renowned A-listers including singers Beyonce, Mariah Carey and Black Eyed Peas' singer Fergie, according to Fox News.
Cowell has been less than impressed with ratings for the U.S. version of "X-Factor" after it failed to match that of competing show "American Idol," and sources reveal that he is implementing drastic changes in a bid to increase viewership.
"I had a big bottom lip at the end of last year. It was a tough year, but it wasn't a horrible year. I just realize you have to do things better and not feel sorry for yourself," Cowell told BBC, hinting that change was inevitable.
Jackson also discussed the untimely death of singer Whitney Houston, and offered advice for her 18-year-old daughter Bobbi Kristina.
"I couldn't believe it. Immediately I started shaking. I was trying to text everyone that I knew to let them know and I was speechless. I could not believe it," Jackson said about the instant she learned about Houston's death.
Bobbi, Houston's only biological daughter was understandably left shattered after learning of her mother's death and Jackson sympathized with the distraught teen.
"It's very difficult. You have to come to terms at some point. You have to actually give it up to God and it sounds so mean, but you have to move on. You can't hold onto that because it can be very devastating. Sometimes therapy is the best thing," Jackson said.
