LOS ANGELES -- Britney Spears is coming to the rescue of Fox’s "The X Factor," the singing contest in search of a ratings boost.
The Grammy-winning pop star has signed on as a judge for the show’s second season, according to a person familiar with the deal. The person was not authorized to publicly discuss details and spoke on condition of anonymity.
A call to Spears’ publicist seeking comment was not immediately returned.
"The X Factor" debuted last fall to ratings that fell short of creator Simon Cowell’s sky-high predictions. The show’s slate was wiped nearly clean in January when judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger exited along with host Steve Jones.
That left Cowell and music producer Antonio "L.A." Reid as judges on "X Factor," which is based on Cowell’s hit U.K. series.
Spears signed a one-year, $15 million contract, E! News reported Wednesday, citing an unidentified source.
Fox declined to comment.
Spears, 30, is a former child performer who became an international star with her 1999 debut album, "Baby One More Time." More hits followed, including "Oops!.. I Did It Again" and "Toxic," but her personal life was difficult, including rehab spells and time in a psychiatric ward.
Earlier this year, Cowell was coy about rumors that Spears, as well as Fergie and Janet Jackson, were under consideration for the show.
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