CEO of Island Def Jam L.A. Reid Signs On as Judge of ‘X-Factor’
The CEO of Island Def Jam will be a judge on Simon Cowell’s new reality singing show.
Antonio “L.A.” Reid, who has sniffed out such talent as Kanye West, Outkast, Mariah Carey, Justin Bieber, Rihanna, and a whole host of others, is going to be leaving his position of CEO and chairman of Island Def Jam in order to take a position of judge on Simon Cowell’s new American version of the reality singing show, The X Factor. Reid’s Island Def Jam contract is set to expire in the latter part of 2011, after the new show will debut in September.
Deadline Hollywood is also reporting that Cowell and Fox have asked Enrique Iglesias to host the program, which is similar to what Ryan Seacrest does for American Idol. People close to Iglesias, though, indicate that he would rather be a judge on the show and wants to concentrate on furthering his music career anyway. This certainly could be the case since Iglesias is just coming off a hit song, “Tonight (I’m Loving You”) that rose to number 1 on the charts.
Here is the text of the notice L.A. Reid gave to his Island Def Jam employees earlier today.
“’Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate and doubt, to offer a solution everybody can understand.’ – Colin Powell
To my Island Def Jam Family:
After much consideration, I have decided to leave my position as Chairman of the Island Def Jam Music Group.
I have always thrived on growth and the next great challenge, and I look forward with much enthusiasm to what the future holds.
I am extremely proud of our beautiful roster and all we have accomplished in my seven years with IDJ. We continue to have incredible success together with today’s most phenomenal superstars – Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Mariah Carey, Kanye West, Bon Jovi, Jennifer Lopes, Ne-Yo, Rick Boss, The Killers, The-Dream, Chrisette Michele, Jeezy, and Ludacris to name a few.
I want to thank all of you for your amazing contributions.
With Warm Regards –
LA”
