Monday, September 9, 2013 2:02pm ET by  
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Simon Cowell on Britney's 'X Factor' stint: 'I booked someone who couldn't criticise'

Music mogul Simon Cowell has revealed that while he enjoyed working alongside Britney Spears on 'X Factor USA', she wasn't a great judge because she struggled with giving negative or constructive crticism to contestants.

He opened up about her decision to quit the show on 'The Ellen Show' and explained that her lack of ability to be confident in critiquing hopefuls' auditions cost her the judging role in the end:

"I kind of booked someone who couldn't talk, which is a bit of a problem when you want someone to judge! She wasn't comfortable being negative, she didn't like it when the contestants spoke back to her, so she was just uncomfortable. I liked her. So we decided to change it this year and I thought I'll work with three girls because I like working with girls."

When asked why he booked Spears, Cowell confessed that her star status was alluring as it was competitive to have a big name on a TV talent contest's panel at the time: "I think if I'm being honest with you, Ellen, there was a time when I think everyone was trying to up themselves in terms of who could find the biggest known star to be on a panel."

 

 

 

 

 

Watch a collection of Spears's best 'X Factor USA' moments here: