Demi Lovato

The first promo for The X Factor season 2 asks viewers if they're ready for a pair of very famous new judges.

But what about those judges themselves? Demi Lovato and Britney Spears sure sounded ready today when they touched down in Austin, Texas for their very first round of auditions.

"So excited to be going to Austin this week for @TheXFactorUSA auditions!" Spears, who was accompanied to Austin with Jason Trawick, Tweeted. "Will I see any of y'all there on Thurs or Fri?"

Added Lovato via the same social network:

"It's my first day... woo hoo!! Who's coming??!!! #XFACTORUSA."

Approximately 200 hopefuls will face Demi, Britney, Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid during four three-hour show tapings over the next couple days. And from there, it's off to another city... and then another... and then another.

Which of the new panelists has you most excited?

UPDATE: A source tells TMZ that Spears walked off the set a few contestants in after a singer butchered her song, "Hold It Against Me." It's unclear if she was upset or just needed a break, but a few subsequent crooners auditioned in front of one empty chair.

Fox has one question for viewers: Are you ready?

During last night's American Idol finale, the network aired its first promo for season two of The X Factor. It included, of course, shots of the show's two new judges: Britney Spears and Demi Lovato. It also featured a cackling Simon Cowell asking folks, what the heck was I thinking?

We have no idea, as neither Britney nor Demi seem like ideal choices for a live competition that involves banter, quick wit and the ability to actually critique others. But, hey, we'll be happy to be proven wrong.

Watch the trailer now:

X Factor Season 2 Promo

They won't be competing against each other, but it's nevertheless on between Duets and The X Factor.

On the ABC Upfront party red carpet this week, John Legend - one of the four singers who will be teaming up with amateurs across the country on the new singing competition - was asked about the new X Factor judges, Britney Spears and Demi Lovato, and replied:

"You know it's interesting. It should be very interesting. I don't have much to say," Legend told E! News. "It's interesting when people, you know, are judging singing competitions when they aren't really singers."

Ouch! Interesting is one diplomatic word for it, yes.

Robin Thicke, who will also appear on Duets, gave the young ladies some credit at least: "Oh come on, everything Britney does, she excels at. Demi is a lovely young lady, and I'm sure they'll do nothing but make the show a lot more fun to watch."

Which of these X Factor judges has you most excited?

Demi Lovato and Britney Spears met the press yesterday.

Officially announced as season two judges on The X Factor, the singers posed for photos and greeted journalists and advertisers at the FOX Upfront in New York City - and Lovato even kept her hair dyed for the occasion.

Click on the photos below for a closer look:

“I am totally stoked to be here,” Lovato told attendees at the event. “I’m excited to represent my generation and I’m ready to find the winner.”

But is she ready to criticize? Since leaving rehab, Lovato has been adamant in telling fans that it's okay to be yourself, that confidence is the key to happiness. A great message, no doubt. But does it really jibe with being a reality show judge?

Weigh in now: Which new panelist has you most excited?

Britney Spears and Demi Lovato will join L.A. Reid and Simon Cowell as judges on The X Factor, Fox confirmed at its upfront presentation this afternoon.

Spears, one of the most successful and celebrated artists in pop music history, gives the show A-list star power as it gears up for its sophomore season.

Lovato is no slouch herself, having become an accomplished singer and actress with a devoted and engaged young fan base. Not bad for the age of 19.

“I'm absolutely delighted that Britney and Demi are joining us,” said Cowell, who removed Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger at the end of last season.

“Britney Spears remains one of the biggest stars in the world, she's talented, fascinating – and I believe she knows exactly how to spot The X Factor."

"Demi's had an amazing career in music, TV and film for someone her age. She's young, confident, and enthusiastic," he added of his other panelist.

"It's important that she speaks to our younger audience. The new panel will be dynamic and will work really well with the changes to the show.”

The i's may not be dotted, nor the t's crossed, but a new report claims Demi Lovato is pretty much confirmed as a judge on season two of The X Factor.

With names being tossed about haphazardly over the past few months, sources claimed this week that the fourth panel spot - alongside Simon Cowell, L.A. Reid and $15 million-per-year newbie Britney Spears - had come down to Lovato and Miley Cyrus.

And, if the following E! News item is to be believed, Demi has beat out her fellow young star:

Demi Lovato X Factor Report

No contract has been signed still, apparently, but that doesn't mean we can't express our take on the possibility: it will be great for ratings, bad for credibility.

The judges are meant to guide the contestants, after all, right? Offer them advice based on their years in the industry? Seems difficult for a 19-year old to do.

What is your opinion? Would Lovato make a strong X Factor judge?

With Britney Spears already on board, might Simon Cowell be giving up all notions of The X Factor as a singing competition?

It's hard not to think the producer is simply aiming to rake in the ratings, considering the latest name reportedly on the table to join season two as a judge: Miley Cyrus.

Simply put, “there have been talks with Miley,” an X Factor insider tells Celebuzz, a rumor backed up by E! News.

Both outlets also report that Fergie, Avril Lavigne and Demi Lovato are in the running to join Cowell, Spears and L.A. Reid on the panel. A decision will need to come within a month or so, in order for auditions to begin and The X Factor to premiere season two in September.

What do you think of Miley Cyrus as a judge? Would she be a good choice?

UPDATE: The Hollywood Reporter now claims Lovato is the one to beat and is in "final negotiations" for the gig.

An attempt at a kind gesture turned very scary for Demi Lovato in Paraguay last night, as the singer was forced to leave the stage and put a halt to her concert when fans leaped up and tried to embrace her.

The 19-year old initially tried to give fans a better seat, only for attendees to get carried away and actually jump on stage. Security intervened. Demi walked away. Order was restored and she eventually returned to finish the set.

But it's easy to imagine just how frightening it can be to see an influx of hyper strangers heading your way. Watch it all unfold now:

Demi Lovato: Attacked in Paraguay!

Earlier today, a series of Demi Lovato tour dates around the U.S. were unveiled. Click on the preceding link and find out when she'll be singing at a locale near you!

Demi Lovato is on her way back home.

The young singer, who has been touring South America (watch this fun performance of "Niggas in Paris" now!), announced this week plans and locations for a U.S. tour.

Demi Lovato - "Skyscraper" (Live in Chile)

When might Lovato be coming to a city or arena near you? Having battled through significant drug use, Lovato will be hitting the following locations over the following couple months...

A couple weeks ago on Twitter, Demi Lovato bared her true face.

Now, in the pages of British magazine Fabulous, the singer is baring her soul.

In one of her more honest interviews to date, the 19-year old goes into detail about her pre-rehab drug use, telling the publication:

"I was depressed. I would come offstage in front of 18,000 people and suddenly be alone in a hotel room. I'd come crashing down and would try to find a way to re-create that feeling, to stay 'up.'"

And you might be shocked to learn who fueled Demi's habit.

"Promoters gave me drugs and alcohol in restaurants or clubs," she said. "They wanted me to come back so I would be seen there. They were basically kissing my ass."

Lovato, of course, entered a treatment facility in November 2010 and has talked since about her emotional and physical issues, citing an eating disorder and bi-polarity. But this is the first time she's really discussed any kind of substance abuse.

"Being a celebrity can be dangerous. Nobody says 'no'. That's why so many end up overdosing and dying. It could definitely have happened to me."

Instead, thank God, Demi has bounced back and her career is going strong. She performed last month on American Idol.