DEMI LOVATO & BRITNEY SPEARS JOIN "THE X FACTOR"

Demi Lovato in Toronto - October 2011

Most amazing news! Demi Lovato and Britney Spears have inked deals to star on FOX's The X Factor. The Rolls Royce of Reality TV!

Spears' rumoured $15-million deal comes as no surprise after months of speculation that she would be appearing as a Judge on the Series. Lovato reportedly inked a $1-million deal and will proceed with judging duties following her Summer Tour.

Creator and Judge Simon Cowell could not be more pleased about all the publicity the Singing Reality TV Series has received, especially after yesterday's unveiling at the FOX Upfronts in New York City. He tells TMZ, last night that despite some concerns about Spears' well-being, Cowell is not in the least bit worried as either way he wins in terms of ratings should the Megastar act-up.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

BRITNEY SPEARS CLOSE TO SIGNING $15-MILLION "THE X FACTOR" DEAL

Britney Spears & Nicole Scherzinger in Toronto - March 2009

Although we're still waiting on confirmation, Britney Spears is reportedly close to signing a $15 million deal to judge on the second season of FOX's The X Factor according to multiple sources, including Deadline. Having been in major talks to appear on the show since February, it is said that Spears originally was expecting $20 million for the Deal. 

To place this into context, Jennifer Lopez currently is receiving $12 million to judge on American Idol, while Christina Aguilera - whom Spears has been pitted against since the early days of her career - is earning $10 million for her work as Mentor on NBC's The Voice.

With the recent exits of Judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger from The X Factor leaving room for new faces, this actually marks the second time that the latter has "opened" for Spears.  Former Pussycat Doll Scherzinger back in 2009 had opened for Spears on her Circus Tour.  Some Girls have all the luck!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

2012 BRITS CRITICS' CHOICE AWARD WINNER EMELI SANDÉ IN TORONTO

Emeli Sandé & Mr. Will-W.

Although the UK fully has embraced her already, Med Student-turned-Singer/Songwriter Emeli Sandé is just now solidifying herself as one to look out for here in North America. Already being compared to the likes of Amy Winehouse, Norah Jones and Adele, Sandé actually shares a name with the latter, ultimately a conflict which decided her own fateful stage name.

The Singer's debut Disc, Our Version of Events, already has reached number one in the UK where also she was awarded the 2012 Critics' Choice Award at the BRITS two weeks ago.  Recent Winners of the same Award include Florence And The Machine, Adele and Jessie J.  In addition to Mogul Simon Cowell, recently naming her his favourite Songwriter, Sandé has penned tunes for the likes of Leona Lewis, Susan Boyle and Cheryl Cole.

Performing at an intimate Showcase at Drake Hotel earlier this evening before a group of Tastemakers, several industry types were buzzing about her potential.  103.9 PROUD-FM Programming Director Bob Willette tells me that his station is the first Top 40 Station nationally to add her latest Track Next to Me, to their rotation.  Above this, Sandé was in great spirits, telling me that the Showcase - her first ever in Canada - went rather well.  She will be playing a sold-out show tomorrow night at the same venue, but in the event you miss her, she will be touring with her famous Labelmates Coldplay the Summer.

Emeli Sande's Our Version of Events gets a release stateside on June 5, 2012 via EMI.  Follow her on Twitter here.

Check out Next to Me below:

ONE DIRECTION & BIG TIME RUSH IN TORONTO AT AIR CANADA CENTRE

One Direction at Air Canada Centre - February 2012

The Girls went crazy tonight at Air Canada Centre with the merging of two super-hot Boy Bands in one compact Show.  British Boy Band One Direction whose rise to fame has been meteoric since 2010 when they first surfaced on The X Factor in the U.K., originally were meant only to be an Opening Act for Big Time Rush.  The latter, comprised of four Actor/Singers who based on the success of their Nickelodeon TV Series of the same name, have gone on to achieve major success south of the Border also as Recording Artists, wound-up sharing headlining responsibilities with their British mates.  By the Show's start time, it was clear which Band had won the hearts of young Toronto Women with One Direction Tour Merchandise cleared off-the-racks completely and screams heard at a deafening pitch when the Quintet arrived punctually on-stage at 7:30 PM.

Hot off the success of their BRIT Awards win last week in the category of Best British Single with What Makes You Beautiful, One Direction celebrated their Victory to happy cheers from the crowd, who for the first time tonight, were graced by the Band's presence in Toronto.  Performing a fantastic version of Kings of Leon's Use Somebody and zipping through hits like One Thing and Album Title Track, Up All Night, their energy was absolutely infectious despite performing only to Backing Tracks - no bells and whistles.  The only complaint that could be heard among the sold-out crowd was that their 30-minute Set was far too short.  Forgivable I suppose, considering that their stateside Debut Up All Night won't be in-stores till March 13, 2012 via Sony Music Canada.

VIDEO PREMIERE: ONE DIRECTION - "ONE THING"

Still from One Thing

These five Boys are set to take over North America soon and their third Single, One Thing just might be the Track that makes you fall in love with them if you haven't already! Meet Niall Horan, Zayn Malik,  Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson, who first made their debut in the UK on The X Factor before signing with Simon Cowell's Syco label.

Slated to open for another teen sensation in Big Time Rush on their upcoming North American Tour, this British-Irish Quintet already has become a smash in the UK. Their debut Disc Up All Night sold 468k copies within five weeks and now Sony Music Canada will be releasing the Album here on March 20, 2012.  They will be in-town February 26, 2012 and seen at Air Canada Centre.

Check out their Declan Whitebloom-directed Clip below:

(Photo/video credit: Sony Music)

MARIAH CAREY LIKELY AS "THE X FACTOR" MENTOR

Mariah Carey in Toronto - February 2010

How exciting!  Deadline reports that Mariah Carey is currently in the final stages of negotiation to be a Celebrity Mentor on FOX's new Reality TV Series The X Factor.  It is said that Carey will be mentoring contestants from Simon Cowell's home.

Other names currently in talks are the likes of Rihanna, Beyoncé and Usher.  The X Factor premieres on September 21, 2011.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

PAULA ABDUL JOINS "THE X FACTOR USA"

Paula Abdul & Simon Cowell lock lips on American Idol

She's back! And it was only a matter of time. Paula Abdul is the final judge confirmed to sign aboard Simon Cowell's latest endeavour in the U.S., The X Factor USA.

Cowell told a crowd at the University of Southern California's Galen Center yesterday during the first round of Auditions, "I admire that at the 11th hour, she (Abdul) decided to play hardball. It's a little nuts.... she's got a lot at stake here.".

Abdul will be joining her American Idol alumni Cowell, Music Mogul Antonio "L.A." Reid and former Girls Aloud member Cheryl Cole as judges on the American version of the same popular UK Series which made Leona Lewis a Star.

The Show's Hosts will be former Pussycat Doll member Nicole Scherzinger and popular British TV personality, Steven Jones.

The winner of the Competition, which premieres this September on Fox, will win a $5 million record deal.

(Photo credit: Fox)

ANTONIO "L.A." REID POSSIBLY BRINGING MARIAH CAREY BACK TO SONY MUSIC?

Mariah Carey in Toronto - March 2010

Antonio "L.A." Reid, who has been responsible for shaping the careers of many a great Pop Star including P!nk, Usher, Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Bon Jovi, TLC and Avril Lavigne, announced today that he will be leaving Island Def Jam effective immediately as its Chairman. He will be working again with Sony Music, having prior overseen the careers of Artists under that label.  There are speculations that he will be a Judge on Simon Cowell's U.S. version of The X Factor.

According to Roger Friedman at Showbiz411, Mariah Carey whom Reid aided in scoring one of the biggest comebacks ever seen in Pop Music in 2005 with The Emancipation of Mimi, will be headed back to her original label Sony Music.  She must however first complete her contractual obligations to Island Def Jam (Univeral Music) with just one more album left, due some time later this year.

Although Island Def Jam did an amazing job with Carey, perhaps indeed it is time for a change with the lackluster performance of her last few releases under the imprint, including E=MC² and Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel.  Could be great!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

GEORGE MICHAEL IN TALKS TO JUDGE ON AMERICAN VERSION OF "THE X FACTOR"

George Michael in Toronto - 2008

Best news in a long time! George Michael is currently in talks with producers to be a Judge on the U.S. version of The X Factor. It is believed that he is being offered upwards of 1 million pounds for the gig, making him the latest in Simon Cowell's move to have Celebrity Judges take over mentoring responsibilities on his massively successful Singing Reality Show franchises.

As we all know, Steven Tyler of Aerosmith and Jennifer Lopez will be judging on the forthcoming season of American Idol, premiering Wednesday, January 19, 2011 on FOX.

This would help with a much-needed comeback from Michael as Sony Music is planning to re-issue his classic Grammy-winning album Faith  next year.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

INTERVIEW: SHAHEEN

Shaheen

13 year-old Actor/Singer Shaheen is onto something special.  Since stunning the world virally with his jaw-dropping audition on Britain's Got Talent before a skeptical and then impressed Simon Cowell, the spotlight has been on the brilliant boy from Wales.  Appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Oprah Winfrey and even a spot on the late Michael Jackson's ill-fated This Is It Tour have solidified the fact that the world is ready to embrace its next big international teen sensation. 

Now ready to unleash his eagerly-awaited debut album When I Come of Age from Island Records/Universal Music on November 22, 2010, the adorable Shaheen took a few moments out of his busy schedule to chat with Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven readers.

Mr. Will-W.: Hi Shaheen, thanks for dropping by to chat with us as we're honoured to be one of the first outlets  in Canada (and first Canadian Blog) to feature you!  Now we're all excited to hear what's on When I Come of Age. What can you tell us about this first album and why have you decided to release two singles at the same time?

Shaheen: My album is important to me; it’s not like all the other albums that are coming out, its not very poppy and sounding the same as a lot of other tracks out there. It’s got kind of a Motown/contemporary feel to it. We decided to release Last Train Home/Hip Teens as a Double A-side because they show how versatile I can be. Last Train Home is a great ballad and Hip Teens is faster and a lot of fun. I hope everyone will get involved in my new competition to star in my video for Hip Teens. It’s for anyone who loves to dance. Check out my website for more details.

Mr. Will-W.: Many people don’t know that in addition to being a very talented singer, you also act. Both are very different. Describe how they are different for you. Do you prefer one over the other?

Shaheen: I prefer singing more but acting is something I’ve done and I wouldn’t mind doing again but right now I’ll concentrate on the album and what’s happening now and then possibly one day go into acting or something. I’d like to be in movies maybe. My favourite actors are Eddie Murphy and Jim Carrey.

YOUR NEW AMERICAN IDOL JUDGES: JENNIFER LOPEZ AND STEVE TYLER

L to R: Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Steve Tyler, Ryan Seacrest

It's official.  Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith front man Steve Tyler are your new judges on Fox's American Idol, Season Ten premiering Wednesday, January 12, 2011.  An announcement was made yesterday at The Forum in Los Angeles on-stage, ending months of speculation to whom would be replacing Producer Simon Cowell, Ellen DeGeneres and Kara DioGuardi.  And I actually agree with the choices.  For someone to mentor a new artist on how to be a Pop Star, they'd better have had experience and longevity.  Let's just hope America actually supports the Idol they pick this time....

(Photo credit: Fox)

NEW MUSIC - HELPING HAITI: EVERYBODY HURTS 2010

Equally as star-studded as the forthcoming We Are The World remake, Simon Cowell has put together a stellar line-up of artists for this charity cover of REM's 1993 hit Everybody Hurts.  All proceeds from digital and CD sales will be going to aid Haiti.

Among those featured on this version are Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue, Mariah Carey, Miley Cyrus, Susan Boyle, James Blunt, Leona Lewis, Jon Bon Jovi, Mika, Michael Bublé and many, many more of our favourites.  

The Everybody Hurts single will be released on February 16, 2010.  Although already great, it would've given it that extra punch to have all the artists together at the end in a series of big repeated choruses, don't you think?

Listen to Everybody Hurts by Various Artists Helping Haiti (courtesy of Sony Music) in full below: