‘The X-Factor’ Season 3 Premiere: What to Expect Wednesday Night

Lisa Timmons | September 11, 2013 12:27 pm

The third season of the US version of The X-Factor premieres tonight (Wednesday, September 11) and if you’re looking for a quick overview of what to expect from the next few weeks, then look no further.

With former judges, L.A. Reid and Britney Spears opting not to return for another season, the pressure was on to fill their seats with some famous musical rear ends. And, unsurprisingly, it looks like lady-loving Simon Cowell has surrounded himself with two new lovely female panelists, including singers Kelly Rowland and Paulina Rubio.

Also coming back for more this season is Demi Lovato, who tweeted in anticipation of tonight’s premiere, “This season is so much better this year already and it hasn’t even AIRED yet!!!!!”

Now that’s a lot of exclamation points. So, hyperbolic punctuation aside, let’s get down to the business of what’s in store this evening.

Simon Cowell
Reality television’s favorite bad guy, and creator of the the series, is returning to the show amidst quite a busy personal life. The sharp-tongued A&R executive is infamously expecting his first child, an event which has been closely documented in the tabloids.

Will impending fatherhood soften Simon’s style of painfully honest, blunt criticism? We certainly hope not.

Of this season, Cowell told USA Today that he has high hopes based on his experience during some early auditions. “It definitely had more of the feel of the British show. It was everything I wanted — funny, bad, good,” Cowell promised.

Demi Lovato
She’s back as a returning judge, and while she might be sporting dramatically different blonde tresses, Demi Lovato promises to bring the same positive-yet-spunky attitude that has typified her judging style in the past.

The former Disney star (and now-Glee star) claims that this season features some very promising acts, in terms of talent. In a recent TV interview, Lovato asserted, “I  believe so many people from this season are going to come out of this with long-lasting careers.”

Additionally, the husky-voiced pop star claims that she’s also got the stamina and backbone to handle Simon yet another season.

Kelly Rowland
New judge and former Destiny’s Child member Kelly Rowland represents one of two additions to the nearly all-female panel of judges, and she promises to give Simon a run for his money. The singer recently joked in a TV interview, “We are not playing this year.”

With a season in 2011 as judge on the UK version of The X-Factor under her belt, Ms. Rowland is no stranger to the format, and champions the fact that the show welcomes singers of all ages. “You can be a spring chicken, but we love us a nice, fine wine,” Rowland confesses.

Paulina Rubio
Mexican singer, actress, model — well, you name it — Paulino Rubio is the second new judge sitting on the third season of The X-Factor panel. Look for her to bring a down-to-earth take when it comes to judging contestants.

Additionally, she made it clear that she’s not going to pull punches when it comes to dealing with Cowell, recently joking that “Simon is going to breastfeed,” in reference to his baby on the way and his notoriously prominent man boobs.

Rubio recently admitted in an article, “I’m just really me. I’m not pretentious. Just my hats and my sunglasses.” And fingerless gloves, of course.

So there you have it, the new line-up for tonight’s new season of The X-Factor. Simon Cowell couldn’t possibly be more comfortable doing what he does best — surrounding himself with a harem of women. We wouldn’t be completely shocked if someone ended up pregnant. Oh, just kidding! A little…

Be sure to check back tomorrow morning for a complete recap of the Season 3 premiere.