Originally posted by The Hollywood Reporter

An official press release from Fox and SYCO is coming tomorrow, Monday April 2, but multiple sources close to the show confirm that Britney Spears and Leona Lewis are the new X-Factor USA judges.

While Spears is hardly a surprise given the swirling rumors over the past three months, Lewis comes as a surprise.

"Simon pushed hard for Leona Lewis to become judge of the show once Fergie and Janet Jackson pulled out," said the source.

Someone who was originally slated to sit next to Spears at the judging table was Avril Lavigne. The Princess of Pop and the Princess of Punk would have made an interesting female duo at the judges table. Something L.A. Reid pushed for.

"L.A. was pushing for his girl Avril to join him at the judges table," said another source. "But it's Simon's show so Leona got the extra seat."

Ironically, Avril and Leona performed during last year's season finale.

Live auditions in front of the judges kicks off in May.

Leona at the judges table confirms why she pushed her album back to November, after it was prepared for release last November.

"Leona and Simon are hoping that exposure from the show and a few performances will rejuvenate her career in America," the source said.

Spears, who is still in a conservatorship, was virtually confirmed two week ago after Los Angeles judge Reva Goetz signed off for the "Toxic" singer to undertake the judges position.

Originally posted by Rebel

Originally posted by ifyouseekLEM

Originally posted by BRITNEY LICIOUS

1/04/2012

Originally posted by ConnorSaysHi

There's nothing wrong with leona, she's a very kind hearted & talented person.

Originally posted by ___littlered

Kind hearted doesn't really go down well on this show.