L.A. Reid has found his replacement for The X Factor — he wants none other than Rihanna to take his spot at the judge’s table, HollywoodLife.com is exclusively reporting.

We caught up with L.A. in Los Angeles at the X Factor finale on December 20 and asked who he would want to replace him on the show.

“I think Rihanna should fill my spot, so that I have a reason to watch,” L.A. said as he laughed.

That’s not a bad idea, but the question is — will Rihanna make time to be a judge on the show?

Rihanna had an incredible 2012 in terms of her career!

She was on the cover of numerous fashion magazines — both domestically and overseas, she participated in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, completed her 777 Tour, where she toured seven countries in seven days and she released her Unapologetic album in November.

Who knows — maybe she could incorporate X Factor into her hectic schedule, but only time will tell.

As of right now, RiRi is chillaxing in her native Barbados at an uber chic beach front penthouse with family and friends.

As HollywoodLife.com previously reported, the 24-year-old singer was spotted at the One Sandy Lane resort on Tuesday Dec. 19, in a tiny green and gold bikini as she sipped on what appeared to be a bottle of beer.

Rihanna took a quick flight to Barbados, where she was raised before coming to the United States to launch her music career, following her performance of “Diamonds” on the Dec. 18 finale of The Voice.

Rihanna always returns to Barbados for Christmas and was reported to be joined by Chris Brown before their split this week. Our sources tell HollywoodLife.com that Chris is still welcome to join her.

Sound off, HollywoodLifers. Will Rihanna join X Factor?

WATCH: The X Factor Season 2 Finale Performances!

– Reporting by Russ Weakland, Written by Eric Ray

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3. Rihanna Enjoys The Single Life With Best Friend In Barbados

Many wondered if Britney Spears or Demi Lovato would return for another season of The X Factor, but as it turns out L.A. Reid is the one not coming back. Was it his decision? Who will fill his shoes?

Why Is L.A. Reid Leaving ‘The X Factor’?

“I have decided that I will not return to The X Factor next year,” L.A. told Access Hollywood. “I have to go back and I have a company to run that I’ve kind of neglected and it saddens me a little bit, but only a little bit.”

L.A. is the chairman and CEO of Epic Records.

“It was a nice break, it was a nice departure from what I’ve done for the past 20 years, but now I gotta go back to work,” L.A.  said. “I have a huge responsibility to a roster of artists and it’s kind of time for me to stop doing the ‘me’ show.”

L.A. said his decision had nothing to do with the other judges, including his boss Simon Cowell.

“I love Simon. We have a great relationship, we have fun together, we talk, we laugh, we do bad things, we’re friends. I owe so much to Simon,” L.A. said. “I really have a lot [of] respect for him and I always will. I support him, I support the show and I’ll always be in business with him.”

The music producer turned celebrity judge who worked on the show for two seasons says he’s not saying goodbye entirely.

“I’m not ruling ever coming back, but I’m definitely not coming back next year,” he said. “I have a job to do and once I get some work done and get some momentum then maybe I’ll revisit the idea a little later.”

Are you surprised L.A. is leaving The X Factor? What do YOU think, HollywoodLifers? Will the show survive without him?

WATCH: The Best of The X Factor Season 2 on Youtube!

–Sandra Clark

More LA Reid & ‘X Factor’ News

1. LA Reid’s ‘X Factor’ Plans — The Judge Is About To Get Mean
2. L.A. Reid: MEAN ‘X Factor’ Judge — So Rude To Contestants
3. ‘X Factor’ Judges Leaving — Shocker: Steve Jones, Nicole Scherzinger & Paula Abdul Get The Boot

L.A. Reid has learned one thing this season on The X Factor, and that’s not to mess with Britney Spears! The “Piece of Me” singer put all the judges on notice, when she got mean and cut Simon Cowell down to size over comments he made about her and one of the contestants on Britney’s team.

“I will never, ever say anything sideways to Britney because she’ll slash you!” L.A. told HollywoodLife.com Thursday, referring to Britney telling Simon that Beatrice Miller has more talent in her pinky finger than does all the contestants on his team!

Britney made this scathing comment to Simon, after he told Beatrice her song choices were boring and suggested Britney select better songs for her contestants in the future.

Meanwhile, LA says he enjoyed those sparks between Brit and Simon.

“I thought that was just great,” L.A. told reporters as he laughed hysterically. “Are you kidding? I thought that was amazing! I had this feeling that if you push that button, you won’t like what you get back. I had this feeling. I liked it because it was between them.”

We want to see more this Britney. We knew she had it in her.

To catch more X Factor, make sure you tune into the next performance show on November 21 at 8/7c on FOX.

Chime in, HollywoodLifers! Do you like the snappy Britney?

–Reporting by Billy Nilles, Written by Eric Ray

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Click here for more Britney news:

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2. Britney Spears Debuts Sexy New Fragrance Commercial: See The Video
3. Britney Spears: One Direction Is ‘Adorable’

After a nice 45-minute delay due to a baseball game (or something), The X Factor picked right back up Oct. 17 with the judges’ choices for the live shows. Too bad the show was also later cut short, leaving us wondering who actually made the top 16. Grrr!

Britney Spears and her Avril Lavigne hair went first, and she pretty much said the same thing to every contestant: You need to have the “whole package.” It was no big surprise that Diamond White, Carly Rose Sonenclar, Arin Ray and Beatrice Miller were put through to the live shows, while Reed Deming and rapper James Tanner were sent packing. I really couldn’t help myself; I had to laugh when Britney smiled as she said, “You’re going home, sweetie.” Oh, Brit. You funny.

L.A. Reid went next, and reminded us all that if you’re over 25, you’re life is pretty much over. (Sucks for me.) “This is their very last chance,” he said. Luckily, he did seem to get it right by choosing David Correy, Jason Brock, Tate Stevens and Vino Alan as his final four. I even teared up during Tate’s “yes.” Those damn Rascall Flatts get me every time! Meanwhile, Daryl Black and crazy-pants Tara Simon were eliminated from the competition — and I wasn’t too sad about it.

That’s when we were supposed to see Demi Lovato and Simon Cowell make their choices, but the feed cut out right after Demi told Jennel Garcia and Willie Jones they were going through.

Thanks a lot, baseball. THANKS.

What do you think, HollywoodLifers? Who else made it to the live shows? Feel free to air out your frustrations in the comments!

— Sharon Tharp

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More HollywoodLife News:

1. L.A. Reid Reveals His Plans To Get Mean On ‘The X Factor’
2. Khloe Kardashian & Mario Lopez To Co-Host ‘The X Factor’ Officially
3. Maria Menounos: Why Mario Lopez Would Be A Great ‘X Factor’ Host

We were shocked when L.A. Reid said he had “no interest” in his over-25 group, but it turns out that was only the start of his dark days on The X Factor. “I’m one of those guys that really despises nice people,” L.A. recently told reporters at an X Factor event in Los Angeles. “I don’t like seeing myself in a nice mode. I want to be mean. I like Simon Cowell because he’s always mean; I like Britney Spears because she’s mean; and this year, it feels like me and Demi Lovato are the nice people. I don’t like that.”

In fact, L.A. is hoping his new mean spirit spreads to all four judges!

“I think it would be great if we were all mean and fighting,” he added. “I think it would be fun. I have a feeling there’s another show that’s coming out where the judges hate each other. I think it’s going to be amazing.”

And we have a feeling L.A.’s mean streak will really come out during the upcoming live episodes.

“There’s an adrenalin that comes with doing the live shows,” he explained. “The live show is a shorter amount of time, and yes it’s nerve wracking, but it’s good adrenalin. It’s good nerves. When I walk out, I’m very nervous, which means I’m very healthy.”

What do YOU think, HollywoodLifers? Do you think L.A. is being too mean this season, or should all the judges follow suit?

— Reporting by Russ Weakland

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More X Factor

1. Khloe Kardashian & Mario Lopez To Co-Host ‘The X Factor Officially
2. Maria Menounos: Why Mario Lopez Would Be A Great ‘X Factor’ Host
3. Demi Lovato: ‘I Wanted To Be A Good Influence For My Little Sister’

Bring on the Biebs! Jason Brock started us off at L.A. Reid‘s home on the Oct. 11 episode of The X Factor with Fergie‘s “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” which was a little too slow and boring for my taste. “He didn’t hold back at all” Justin Bieber said. “I think that he gave it everything and that showed. But it’s not only about that.” (Basically, he was good, but definitely not great.)

David Correy easily outshined him with a beautiful rendition of Jessie J‘s “Domino.” L.A. even said some notes gave him “chill-bumps.” (I think he meant goosebumps.) Nevertheless, the talent was there. “I saw pure passion,” Justin’s manager Scooter Braun said.

Up next was Daryl Black. I wish I could tell you what he sang, but he was literally on my TV for about five seconds. “I didn’t find the voice tone to be unique,” L.A. said. Based on that, he probably won’t make it to the live shows.

Tate Stevens surprised me with his country version of Brian McKnight‘s “Back at One.” He’s an endearing guy, and Scooter was right when he said, “There’s something about him that makes you want to root for him.” Justin, however, wasn’t sure he would give him the $5 million.

Vino Alan took on Pink‘s “Sober” with his resident rock attitude and powerful grunts. “Emotionally, I felt it,” Biebs said. I gotta agree with L.A., though, when he said he wasn’t sure if Vino’s the whole package. Is he likeable?

Speaking of likeable, the overly-confident-but-suddenly-nervous Tara Simon claimed she’s “always been a star.” (Eye roll!) Her first mistake was singing Hoobastank‘s “The Reason” because, really, who likes Hoobastank? “She’s got a big voice, but she should make sure she has more sweet moments,” Justin noted (as Selena Gomez‘s “Who Says” played in the background). I’m with Biebs on this one.

It’s Britney, bitch:

We then headed to Britney Spears‘ (fake) home with guest judge will.i.am who “knows what kids are listening to,” apparently.

The adorable Diamond White was barely alive when “Baby One More Time” came out, but she hit the stage with confidence while singing Avril Lavigne‘s “I’m With You.” The vocals were good, but a little sleepy. “I think she sings amazing, but I think she cares about her moves too much,” will.i.am said. I’m not sure I agree. I just think she needs a more upbeat song.

“How do you compete against that?” said Reed Deming, who was up next. I swear he’s like an old man in a little kid’s body. He’s very eloquent for his age. Anyway, he took on “Hey There Delilah” by the Plain White T’s. (What’s with all these songs from the early 2000′s?) “I think he was nervous and I think he can deliver a little bit better than he did,” Britney said.

The only solo rapper in the competition, James Tanner, took on “Party Like a Rock Star” by Shop Boyz. It wasn’t very impressive… at all. “I thought he was very entertaining,” Britney said. “I’m just not convinced it’s strong enough.” Judging by his three seconds of screen time, I also think he will get the boot.

One of my favorites, Arin Ray, who made it thought last year with that awful group InTENsity, sang a ballad version of Nicki Minaj‘s “Starships.” While I don’t know why the producers want to put us to sleep with all these slow songs, I liked that Arin put his own spin on it. He’s very consistent and like will.i.am said, “He has something.”

Beatrice Miller is freakin’ adorable, and she’s a Jersey girl, so I’m obviously rooting for her. She sang “Titanium” by David Guetta, which will.i.am thought was the perfect song choice. “That was fresh,” he said. FTD.

And last, but not least was the uber-talented Carly Rose Sonenclar. Her voice is completely flawless and showed no sign of struggle during Karmin‘s “Brokenhearted.” Unlike her fellow contestants, her song was slow but still fun and captivating. “She’s possessed” will.i.am joked. There’s no doubt she will be a frontrunner of this competition – mark my words.

Well that’s it, kids. They did it again! We won’t find out who made it through to the live shows until next week! (Groan.)

Watch More ENTV News!

In the meantime, drop me a comment and tell me who your favorites were tonight! Did you agree with my picks?

– Sharon Tharp

L.A. Reid — I was so disappointed when I saw you have a hissy fit after getting “stuck” with the “Over 25s” group on last night’s X Factor.

It all started when L.A. was given the “Over 25s” to mentor. He angrily slammed down the phone and walked away from the show’s producers!

Meanwhile, in an interview before he was told about his group, he said, if he was given the Over 25s, “I’d have to say I have no interest.” Real nice, L.A!

His group is comprised of Jason Brock, Daryl Back, David Correy, Tara Simon, Tate Stevens and Vino Alan. I’m sorry, but there is definitely talent here — they wouldn’t be picked from thousands and thousands of auditions to make the top 24 if they had nothing special about them.

“I can’t really say that there’s anybody who stands out in the category,” he said to the camera.

As he introduced Justin Bieber and his manager Scooter Braun to help him critique the contestents, he gave them the biggest slap in the face of all.

He said he was ”a little bit disappointed” to have them as a group! Incredibly rude and demoralizing!

He didn’t make it better when he basically threw up his hands and said, oh well, now I have to figure out how to get one of you guys to win!

His arrogance really shined through when he added that he would “take credit” if one of his “over 25s” did actually win the competition.

L.A. — you need to be supportive and encouraging of your talent. You are supposed to mentor and guide them, not tear them down.

Do you agree, HollywoodLifers?

Watch More ENTV News!

– Dory Larrabee

More X Factor News:

1. ‘X Factor’ Recap: Girl Group LYLAS Blows The Competition Away
2. Nick Jonas Calls Contestant ‘Sexy’ As Guest Mentor On ‘X Factor’ — Watch
3. First Look: Justin Bieber As Guest Mentor On ‘X Factor’ — Watch

Bootcamp is over and the top 24 contestants are headed to the judges homes in the new episode, which airs tonight, Oct. 10. Justin Bieber joins judge L.A. Reid as a guest mentor to the delight of the contestants!

“They told me that I was too young. You know, you’re never too old or too young. If you have the voice and the talent, nothing’s impossible,” Justin tells the hopefuls.

Watch below:

More X Factor & Justin Bieber News:

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2. ‘X Factor’ Recap: Chris Brown Singer Deangelo Wallace Gets Arrested
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