It looks like Simon Cowell has found the next version of… himself? Record executive Antonio “L.A.” Reid has been tapped as a judge on The X Factor , the singing competition Cowell is bringing over from Great Britain and which will debut on Fox in the fall. While he makes no mention of the new gig, Reid sent out an email to his staff this morning that read: “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.” Reid is a three-time Grammy Award-winning executive who is responsible for signing such talents as Mariah Carey, P!nk, Justin Bieber , Rihanna, Kanye West and Usher. An official announcement of his X Factor role is expected soon, but Cowell said of Reid a couple weeks ago: “We always wanted to work with L.A., whether it was now or in the future. Because in terms of his credibility and what he’s achieved, he’s always somebody who we would love to work with… He’s had so much success. And he’s also a good friend of mine.”
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L.A. Reid Named X Factor Judge
