L.A. Reid says bye to 'X Factor'

It’s back to where he came from for L.A. Reid: the music mogul will not return for a third season of The X Factor.

Deadline quotes a source who says the Epic Records Chairman is “going back to the music business full time, it’s his decision,” a source says. Back in 2011, Reid resigned his post as Island Def Jam Chairman — where he cultivated the careers of superstars like Rihanna, Kanye West, and Justin Bieber — to take the X Factor gig. He was asked to stay on for the current second season, while Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger were shown the door and replaced by Britney Spears and Demi Lovato.

There was no comment from Fox, but The Hollywood Reporter had this statement from Reid: “I have the utmost respect for Simon Cowell. He is the very best, and I have had the opportunity to learn so much from him. Working with him on X Factor has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I’m honored to have sat on the panel with such incredible talent.”