The X-Factor Shakeup: LA Reid OUT for Season 3

Fox has already put the green light for a third season on Simon Cowell’s latest project, but two-season judge, LA Reid, will not be a part of said season. In an exclusive interview with Access Hollywood, Reid told the entertainment news outlet that he will not be returning, so that he can “go back and I have a company to run that I’ve kind of neglected and it saddens me a little bit, but only a little bit.”

Reid sat alongside Cowell, Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul during season one and was supposedly instrumental in bringing along Britney Spears and Demi Levato for the second season, which ends next week. Reid desires to return to his post as chairman and CEO of Epic Records. “It was a nice break, it was a nice departure from what I’ve done for the past 20 years, but now I gotta go back to work,” he said, as he pointed out how he desires to stop doing the “me” show and focus on his label’s artists.

As for his relationship with Cowell, Reid tells Access that they’re on good terms.

“I love Simon. We have a great relationship, we have fun together, we talk, we laugh, we do bad things, we’re friends. I owe so much to Simon. I really have a lot [of] respect for him and I always will. I support him, I support the show and I’ll always be in business with him.”

The question many might ask is if Reid is just jumping off of the sinking ship that the show has become, after it has not lived up to (or anywhere near) Cowell’s 20 million viewer prediction. Or maybe word is getting around that next season will have new faces behind the table and Reid wants to leave before being asked to. Or maybe he’s simply stating the truth. The X Factor season 2 comes to an end Thursday December 20 at 8/7c on Fox!