Khloe Kardashian Fired From 'X Factor,' Mario Lopez Confirms Return (VIDEO)
Khloe Kardashian is reportedly not returning to "X Factor" following reports claiming the reality TV star was fired after one season.
Mario Lopez, who co-hosted with Kardashian in season two, confirmed his season three return to the hit reality TV talent show Monday.
"I'm looking forward to returning to The X Factor team," Mario said in a statement obtained by HollywoodLife.com. "We're coming back stronger and better than ever and I'm excited to check out all the new talent."
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Lopez, 39, also confirmed his return to the show via a post on Twitter however there was no mention of Kardashian, 28. The TV host did indicate that season three would be much "stronger."
"I'm excited to officially announce I'm returning to the @TheXFactorUSA team! We're coming back stronger & better than ever... Can't wait," Lopez tweeted on April 22.
Kardashian, who often made headlines for her seemingly deliberate wardrobe malfunctions, often appeared to struggle while hosting alongside Lopez. Missed queues and awkward silences ultimately overshadowed her hosting technique.
"It was really hard for me to watch Mario with her," L.A. hosting expert Marki Costello told the Huffington Post. "It made me, as a viewer, almost uncomfortable."
In February The New York Post revealed that "X Factor" producers had no plans to renew Kardashian's contract.
"They are asking Mario [Lopez] to come back, but not Khloe," a source told The Post.
Kardashian previously explained her awkward stage presence in an interview with HuffPost Live.
"First of all I was hired like a week before the live show starts ... I've never done live TV before and I was asked to not do any hosting lessons because they wanted me to be just myself," Kardashian said.
The reality TV star went on to explain that just one day before she began work she discovered "I can't read a teleprompter ... I needed glasses. So I had to go and get contacts ... it was just so stressful," she continued, adding, "I do feel like through every show I got better and better."
It was claimed earlier this month that MTV star Snooki is interested in replacing Kardashian. The former "Jersey Shore" star, whose real name is Nicole Polizzi, has not yet received any formal offers.
"Sources tell RumorFix that the petite Jersey girl is very interested in hosting a reality show and has openly discussed the possibility of joining Mario Lopez on The X-Factor with her friends, who are encouraging her to go for it," the website wrote.
