Britney Spears, 'X Factor' Judge Will Not Return For Season 3, Source Says

Britney Spears, who made her debut this season as a judge for the FOX singing competition "The X Factor," will not return for the show's third season, Us Weekly revealed Thursday.

Season two of the show ended on Dec. 20 and the 31-year old was reportedly paid $15 million to sign on in May as a judge for the season. However, the latest issue of the magazine cited an inside that said about the "Scream and Shout" collaborator, "Britney will get the boot."

"Producers wanted her for the long haul, but it isn't working," the insider said.

Sources said Spears' $15 million contract, which she reportedly has not earned, is one reason why the show will not sign on Spears for another season.

"They paid all that for her to say 'amazing' and offer half-claps," a second insider told the magazine

Many viewers of the reality show will back reports that Spears is not as loud as the other judges, and in specific, another source said fellow judge Simon Cowell "wanted crazy Britney, but he got boring Britney." Cowell is said to be the one leading the decision to fire Spears from the show.

No reference was made as to fellow newcomer Demi Lovato and whether or not she will be a judge for the show's third season in the U.S.  

"The X Factor" has changed up their judging lineup a few times already over the span of two season. The show let go of judges Paula Abdul, Cheryl Cole, Nicole Scherzinger and most recently L.A. Reid, who announced his decision to leave the show earlier in December.

Reid was the mentor to season two's winner Tate Stevens, who came out victorious against finalists 13-year-old singing sensation Carly Rose Soneclar and girls' band Fifth Harmony. Stevens won a $5 million recording contract.