'The X Factor' at TCA - New Prize, New Judges, and a Reaffirmed Goal

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X Factor head honcho Simon Cowell sat down along with fellow judges Paulina Rubio, Kelly Rowland, and Demi Lovato, as well as host Mario Lopez, to discuss the upcoming third season of the singing competition series. What's changing? What's staying the same? What about the baby drama? Here's what Cowell had to say regarding The X Factor Season 3.

First, there's going to be a new prize, everybody. I, for one, am glad. No undiscovered talent is worth $5 million right off the bat. Not in this present music industry, anyway. The new prize will be $1 million and a recording contract with Sony.

On the new judging panel, Cowell admits to making missteps (presumably with hiring Britney Spears) last season, vying for star power over good enthusiasm. "I felt like what we were doing was similar to what everyone else was doing… I had this impatience to get on to Season 3 so we could do what I wanted to do… It just felt like all the shows, the judging panels were beginning to look the same. [Finding new judges] was really about, 'How passionate are you about doing this job properly? Working with the artists and finding a star in the end?'"

Cowell also reflected on, what I'd describe as, a rediscovery and reaffirmation of what a show like The X Factor is truly about; finding a superstar talent and making good on the promise to nurture them as relevant recording artists after the show. The promise is, essentially, to give this winner the best shot they can take at the industry. "You have to be competitive, you have to make changes, listen to the fans and the viewers. I'd love to be number one. If you've got a good panel, good producers which we have, the format's more fun and you get those one or two special contestants -- that's what it's really about."

Lastly, Simon was asked to address the recent baby drama. Although, he didn't have much to say. "Unfortunately, I have to keep this, for the moment, private." Smooth move, Cowell.

Via Zap2It