Paulina Rubio (Getty Images)
FACE IT: Rowland (top) and Rubio joining Cowell? (
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Singers Kelly Rowland and Paulina Rubino are being added to “The X Factor’s” judges’ table, according to multiple reports.
The moves are expected to be in place by tonight, when Simon Cowell’s Fox talent show kicks off the opening audition round for its third season in Charleston, SC.
It’s a homecoming of sorts for Rowland, who appeared as a judge on the eighth season of “The X Factor UK,” the original British version of Cowell’s show which pre-dates Fox’s version.
Rubio, 41, is a Mexican singer/actress who shot to fame as a member of the pop group Timbiriche before going solo in the early ’90s.
Her albums are estimated to have sold more than 20 million copies around the world. She also has her own lipstick line and owns a restaurant in Miami Beach.
Rowland and Rubio will join Cowell and Demi Lovato at the judges’ table — replacing Britney Spears and LA Reid, who left after last season.
“The X Factor,” which premiered in September 2011, has failed to meet original ratings expectations on Fox.
Still, it averaged roughly 9.5 million viewers last season and performed well enough in adults 18-49 to warrant a third-season renewal.
Steve Jones, the show’s original host, was canned after the first season and was replaced by Mario Lopez and Khloe Kardashian.
Kardashian failed to spark any excitement and was let go after last season — while Lopez will return.
It hasn’t been determined, yet, if Lopez will have a new co-host when the series returns for its live shows.
Like its network stablemate and Cowell’s former show, “American Idol,” “The X Factor” airs twice a week (Wednesday and Thursday last season).