Singer John Legend attends the Entertainment Weekly & ABC-TV Up Front VIP Party at Dream Downtown on May 15, 2012 in New York City
*John Legend, a judge on ABC’s forthcoming singing competition “Duets,” was asked to comment on the addition of Britney Spears and Demi Lovato to the judging panel of their rival FOX show “The X Factor.”
And the Grammy-winning musician gave an honest answer.
“You know it’s interesting. It should be very interesting. I don’t have much to say,” he told E! News at Entertainment Weekly’s ABC Upfront party. “It’s interesting when people, you know, are judging singing competitions when they aren’t really singers.”
Needless to say, his comments struck a nerve on Twitter. ”Read my mentions today if you want some entertainment served with a side dish of crazy and a sprinkle of racism,” he tweeted.
He followed it up with another tweet which clarified, “I’ve never heard demi’s voice btw. Wasn’t referring to her.” He, however, didn’t say anything about Britney.
(L-R) Singers John Legend, Kelly Clarkson and Robin Thicke attend the Entertainment Weekly & ABC-TV Up Front VIP Party at Dream Downtown on May 15, 2012 in New York City.
Fellow “Duets” judges Robin Thicke and Kelly Clarkson, meanwhile, were more diplomatic when asked about Spears and Lovato.
“Oh come on, everything Britney does, she excels at,” said Thicke. He added, “Demi is a lovely young lady, and I’m sure they’ll do nothing but make the show a lot more fun to watch.”
Clarkson said, “I’m a big fan of both of them. Both of those girls are super sweet. Obviously they are both performers so…I think that show really needs it. I don’t think everybody latched onto that show like they thought they would.”
“Duets” also features Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles as a judge. Legend was added to the lineup after Lionel Richie bowed out of the show, citing schedule conflicts. It will premiere on May 24 and will follow them searching for two singers each to serve as their duet partners.
(L-R) L.A. Reid, Demi Lovato, Simon Cowell, and Britney Spears attend the Fox 2012 Programming Presentation Post-Show Party at Wollman Rink - Central Park on May 14, 2012 in New York City
Meanwhile, the U.S. version of “The X Factor” tapped Britney and Demi as replacements for Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul. They’ll appear alongside original judges Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid in its second season which will air in fall.
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My sentiments exactly Mr Legend. I have heard Demi give intelligent answers in interviews BUT Britney poor thing comes across as a total airhead, I see why she hardly gives interviews. X-Factor is paying her 15 mil?? we will see if she is worth it.
I disagree. If that’s the standard then what does it say about Paula Abdul, Randy, Simon, nor J-lo since none of them are singers either.
John, stay in your lane.
John Legend is such an arrogant butthole. I’m not feeling his hype.
John John John you are a good songwriter but your voice is not that great either. I don’t think you have any music in your voice plus your’re arrogant and trust me you are not all of that. So if this is the case you shouldn’t be a judge either. A case of the pot calling the kettle black. You can count on your hands the true singers of today.
John sit your girl shaped booty down. I love your music.
OMG! I can’t stop lol@this cuz one of my lady friends has been saying this for years..lolololol
LOL@Gayle….lady butt….ha, ha
It may have been rude of him to say, but I gotta agree. Britney may sell records but is no singer. It was never about singing with her. I think had she not had a break down so many people would not be so quick to defend her. Even Simon Cowell has bashed her at one point in time. Her being a judge is more about ratings, which is what the show desperately needs. On the other hand, its good to see someone who was spiraling out of control do better, even if she is tightly managed. I just hope that she at least is taught how to speak intelligently, doesn’t smack gum and remembers the caliber of her voice before judging others too harshly.