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PLATINUM-SELLING GLOBAL SENSATION DEMI LOVATO WILL RETURN TO THE JUDGES' PANEL FOR SEASON THREE OF "THE X FACTOR" ON FOX

Chart-dominating singer, songwriter and actress Demi Lovato is ready to take Simon on for round two! Lovato jumps back in her seat as the fan-favorite judge on THE X FACTOR, the hit singing competition series which launches its third season this fall on FOX.

Last season, Lovato, the youngest judge and mentor to the Young Adults category, brought a fresh perspective to the panel and won over legions of THE X FACTOR fans with her playful banter, spot-on critiques and genuine encouragement. Lovato returns to the show amid the breakout success of her latest single, "Heart Attack," which recently achieved gold status in the U.S. within just four weeks of its release.

"I couldn't be happier that Demi wants to come back this year," said Simon Cowell. "She's a superstar in her own right and was a fantastic mentor last year. Even though she can be really, really annoying - I truly enjoyed working with her and so did the artists. I'm especially pleased she's back, even during her world tour!"

"I am so excited to return as a judge and mentor on THE X FACTOR," added Lovato. "Last season was an unbelievable experience and I really enjoyed developing personal relationships with the contestants and the panel. I look forward to taking my previous experience and applying it to make this season even better!"

"We couldn't be more excited for Demi to return to THE X FACTOR next season. She's an incredible mentor, an insightful judge and we know she'll bring her amazing energy, enthusiasm and charm to the panel," said Mike Darnell, President of Alternative Entertainment, FOX. "She also isn't afraid to stand up to Simon or say what's on her mind - and we can't wait to see more of that honesty and fun next year."

"Demi's enormous popularity is evident by her latest No. 1 single and her current tour selling out arenas across the globe," noted Trish Kinane, executive producer, THE X FACTOR. "She did an impressive job last season identifying and mentoring new talent and we're delighted to welcome her back for Season Three."

Lovato has had a phenomenal start to 2013, spurred by the release of "Heart Attack," her first single off of her untitled, upcoming fourth album. The single recently debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes chart in 18 countries (including the U.S.) and No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (the second-best Billboard debut of the year). The single became the most-added song on Top 40 Radio in the U.S. the week it premiered, and is currently being played on more than 190 radio stations. To date, there have been more than 20 worldwide Twitter trends for "Heart Attack." The song was produced by The Suspex and co-written by Lovato.

"Give Your Heart a Break," Lovato's second and final single off of her third studio album, "Unbroken" (2011), received critical acclaim from contemporary music critics, who praised the production, as well as Lovato's vocals. "Give Your Heart a Break" spent 32 weeks on the Hot 100 in 2012 and reached No. 1 on the Billboard Pop Songs chart. The song also reached No. 1 status at both Mediabase and Broadcast Data Systems (BDS) in the Top 40 format. The first single off of Unbroken, "Skyscraper," debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes chart, No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Digital Singles chart and No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Skyscraper" has sold more than 1,800,000 digital copies, and was officially certified platinum in the United States.

Last season, Tate Stevens was crowned THE X FACTOR Season Two winner and was awarded a recording contract, as well as production and creative support to develop, create, record and shoot his first original track and music video. Tate's video debuted as a Pepsi commercial during the live telecast of the "55th Annual GRAMMY Awards(R)," and he recently released his first single, "Power of a Love Song." His self-titled debut album will be released on April 23, 2013.

Last season, THE X FACTOR discovered an amazing amount of diverse recording artists such as finalists Carly Rose Sonenclar, Fifth Harmony and Emblem3. Along with Season Two winner Tate Stevens, Fifth Harmony and Emblem3 are working on their debut albums. Artists discovered by THE X FACTOR series have sold more than 100 million records worldwide, including 110 No. 1's, 270 Top 10 records, and 500 Top 50 releases. Worldwide, "The X Factor" has created global superstars such as Leona Lewis, One Direction, Cher Lloyd, Olly Murs, JLS, Little Mix and Rebecca Ferguson.

Open auditions for Season Three of THE X FACTOR continue in New Orleans on April 14, followed by Long Island, NY, on April 25 and Denver, CO, on May 14. For details please visit www.TheXFactorUSA.com.

THE X FACTOR was created by Syco Television and is produced by Syco Television and FremantleMedia North America. Rob Wade and Nigel Hall are executive producers for Syco Television. Trish Kinane, Richard Holloway and Andrew Llinares serve as executive producers for FremantleMedia North America. "Like" THE X FACTOR on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/TheXFactorUSA. Follow the series on Twitter @TheXFactorUSA and join the discussion at #xfactor. Download The Xtra Factor App at www.TheXFactorUSA.com/mobileapps.