Mario Lopez has his experience as a host of Extra to thank for keeping his job at X Factor next season, his co-host Khloe Kardashian wasn’t as lucky. Simon Cowell took viewers by surprise when he hired the Kardashian who was still considered a reality star famous for famous sake.
According to NY Daily News, Fox announced the news on Monday.
Mario Lopez will return to host the third cycle of Simon Cowell’s “X Factor,” but without Khloe Kardashian as his cohost.
“Khloe Kardashian will not be returning to co-host ‘The X Factor’,” said a spokesperson for the show. “We really enjoyed working with her and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.” The departure doesn’t come as a surprise. Kardashian herself recently sent a tweet that strongly hinted she was gone. A rookie at hosting shows, Kardashian had been given only the most lukewarm vote of confidence by show officials after her first season ended.
There were no indications Monday whether Fox will hire a new cohost for Lopez.
Cowell is also on a hunt for two additional judges after pop star Britney Spears was axed and record executive L.A. Reid resigned. Rumors of narrowed down former Destiny’s Child star Kelly Rowland as a front runner to one of the two vacant seats. Reportedly, “Cowell, 53, remains a ‘big fan’ of the singer even though she was replaced by Nicole Scherzinger on the X Factor UK last year. Kelly, 32, is now ‘most definitely in the mix’ to replace Britney Spears on the third season of the Fox talent show, which airs later this year.
