Britney Spears is close to finalizing a $15 million deal to serve as the new superstar judge on Simon Cowell's talent show The X Factor, according to online reports.

The "Toxic" hitmaker has been rumored to be in talks to take a seat alongside Cowell and producer Antonio "L.A." Reid on the panel for weeks and now insiders claim the big announcement is imminent.

Spears is said to be ready to sign on the dotted line after being offered a $15 million payday - after she reportedly turned down $10 million.

A source tells E! Online, "Both camps were back and forth on the money but now they have finally come to agreement on the fee.

"That was the big sticking point and now, thankfully, it's been sorted. All they need to do now is work out the smaller points. The fact the money is now set means that there is nothing stopping this from becoming a reality."

Fans had feared the pop star would be too fragile to handle the pressure of the publicity surrounding the show - but reports suggest her fiance, Jason Trawick, will be by her side as a producer.

A source adds, "Jason is expected to be there every day Britney is on set. He is her rock and will help guide her through the process. He is the person she trusts the most."

Spears will sit on the panel alongside Cowell and Antonio 'L.A.' Reid, as well as another female judge.

The two newcomers will replace Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger as judges.
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Britney Spears has rejected a $10 million offer to judge the next season of “The X Factor,” TheWrap has learned.

So the question is: How much is Fox going to have to pony up? Try $20 million.

Reports this week that the pop star was considering a $10 million offer to judge next fall’s seasons of “The X Factor” are out of date, according to a knowledgeable individual in Spears’ camp.

Read also: 'X Factor' Implosion: Paula Abdul, Nicole Scherzinger, Steve Jones Out

The singer rejected that offer three weeks ago and is instead thinking about an offer to become a resident performer at a Las Vegas hotel in the fall, a la Celine Dion.

So here comes a game of chicken. Fox desperately needs a big name to announce on the judge’s panel of Simon Cowell’s show, now that NBC’s hit show “The Voice” will be competing with them in the fall.

Spears’ camp wants $20 million. (EvenI think that’s ridiculous and Fox won’t pay that.)

But the reality is it’s becoming an arms race for singing talent being paid to sit behind tables and… talk.

NBC has put its money where its mouth is, paying Christina Aguilera upward of $10 million to come back and judge the new season of “The Voice.” They’ve given handsome paychecks, if not as much, to the other judges as well.

What Fox has shelled out for the “X Factor” judges pales in comparison. Paula Abdul was paid $2.5 million for the last season, according to another knowledgeable insider, and she was announced at the 11th hour.

She was also fired, as were judge Nicole Scherzinger and host Steve Jones.

“X Factor” is already recording its audition phase, but won’t need the judges until the end of May.

Fox wouldn't comment. Spears' camp wouldn't comment. Simon Cowell's camp wouldn't comment.

But what the network wants is a big piece of news to present to advertisers at their upfront sales presentations on May 14.

Country star Taylor Swift has a crush on Britney Spears. Taylor went nuts when she found her Britney’s poster missing from her bathroom! Yeah, you heard me!

Thank God it was just her thoughtful mom cleaning up the place and giving the poster a more honorable location in Taylor’s house. Britney – from bathroom to bedroom in Taylor’s latest MySpace blog entry:

“While I was in L.A. my mom reorganized my bathroom… But then I turned around and was startled by something… Where was my Britney Spears poster…. No, this can’t be right… WHERE is it?!? I searched the room frantically for a few seconds before finding it’s new spot. My Britney Spears poster (from 6th grade) had been relocated to my bedroom, which is another AMAZING upgrade. This way, I see it more often and it more proudly displays my unwavering devotion to Britney Spears.”

Britney Spears kicked off her Femme Fatale tour at the Power Balance Pavilion in Sacremento, Calif. last night and from the looks of it, her first night back on stage was definitely a spectacle.

No guitar too small, no bikini top too glittery for the pop princess. She pranced around the stage and danced with scantily clad men, straddled a gigantic guitar and rode a motorcycle all while belting out some of her most famous tunes.

The sold out crowd was in for a real treat. The 29-year-old singer chatted with Entertainment Tonight last week and divulged just a little about what fans could expect.

"I'm really excited," she said. "I'm probably going to be extra nervous the day before but we've been working hard for two months now, and everything is coming together."

With the tour finally under way, fans can breathe a sigh of relief as it has been anything but a smooth ride to opening night. Spears' mental state is constantly scrutinized by critics and after the controversy over opening acts, Enrique Iglesias quitting the tour and Nicki Minaj filling his spot, it seems that things have finally settled down.