Simon Cowell

L.A. Reid's protégé Tate Stevens was named the winner of The X Factor season two last night. The country star beat out Britney Spears's protégée Carly Rose Sonenclar and Simon Cowell's Fifth Harmony for the top spot and a $5 million recording contract. Carly finished second while Fifth Harmony placed third. Britney shared her support for Carly on Twitter, writing, "You are a winner in my eyes tonight Carly and I know you're going to have a very long career." The event wasn't just about music, though, since judge Demi Lovato, who didn't have anyone in the finals, wowed in a hologram minidress with cutout details. Cohost Khloé Kardashian wore a sequined pink look and later changed into black leather with a rhinestone headband from Untamed Petals. Special guests included One Direction and Pitbull, who both performed during the special finale.

Although her protégée didn't win, Britney said that The X Factor has been a positive influence on her and has helped her get over her shyness. Britney said, "It's no secret I'm a shy person. I feel doing this show over the past year has allowed me to come out of my shell a lot more. Everyone on the show has been amazing and made me feel really comfortable." Britney clearly enjoys her time on The X Factor and has already confirmed that she'll return for season three.

The X Factor season two finale kicked off last night and now the three finalists will have to wait until this evening to find out who will win The X Factor. The three finalists — Fifth Harmony, Tate Stevens, and Carly Rose Sonenclar — all performed three songs, including duets with music superstars. Fifth Harmony performed with judge Demi Lovato, Tate Stevens took the stage with Little Big Town, and Carly Rose Sonenclar sang a duet with LeAnn Rimes. Hosts Khloé Kardashian and Mario Lopez served as MCs for the live event, which included guests like the Jersey Shore cast and previous X Factor castoffs. The finale will finish off with a two-hour show tonight, during which One Direction will perform and the winner will be announced. Britney, who serves as Carly's mentor, has been campaigning hard for her protégée on Twitter, even following back fans who vote for her.

The finale wasn't the only big news for the X Factor judges. Simon Cowell confirmed that he's dating Carmen Electra. Simon said, "She's not my girlfriend. We're people who date. She's adorable, isn't she?"

Britney Spears won high fashion marks for her neon yellow Herve Leger dress on The X Factor last night. Emblem3, Carly Rose Sonenclar, Tate Stevens, and Fifth Harmony all performed for judges Britney, Demi Lovato, L.A. Reid, and Simon Cowell during the semifinals, and now they have to wait to find out who will make the cut to the finals next week. Most critics feel that Tate and Carly will have a guaranteed spot in the finals, but Simon's two groups, Emblem3 and Fifth Harmony, will have to duke it out to avoid getting cut this week. The acts moving on to the finals will be announced tonight.

This has been a busy week for Britney, who was recently named the top-earning female singer of 2012 by Forbes. That news, along with X Factor's upcoming finals, might help Britney bump her way to the top of our list of our favorite female celebrities of the year — don't forget to cast your vote!

Britney Spears, wearing a minidress from Christopher Kane, joined Demi Lovato, Simon Cowell, and L.A. Reid in LA last night for a special X Factor viewing party. Britney, Demi, and their fellow judges bid farewell to two more hopefuls last night. Diamond White, mentored by Britney, and Cece Frey, Demi's final remaining contestant, were eliminated from the competition. There are only four singers remaining; Carly Rose Sonenclar, Tate Stevens, Emblem 3, and Fifth Harmony go into next week's semifinals with their sights set on a $5 million recording contract.

The second season of The X Factor is winding down, and while there's still no official confirmation from Britney if she'll return next year, the show has certainly put her back in the spotlight. Britney's hotter than ever and she's in the running for favorite female celebrity of 2012 — will she get your vote?

The X Factor contestants brought their A-game last night for another evening of live performances in LA. We were on hand for the Pepsi LIVE preshow and sat in the audience while front-runners Carly Rose Sonenclar, Tate Stevens, Emblem 3, and the five other remaining contestants sang No. 1 hits. Carly Rose put her own spin on Adele's chart-topping single "Rolling in the Deep" while Tate stuck to his country roots and performed Keith Urban's "Somebody Like You."

The contestants didn't disappoint, but the highlight of the two-hour show went to Britney Spears and the world premiere of her new video with Will.i.am, "Scream & Shout." Britney lent her vocals to the song's intro and chorus and looked incredibly hot dancing throughout the video in an ab-baring minidress. Britney and her fellow judges, L.A. Reid, Simon Cowell, and Demi Lovato, return to the small screen tonight for the double elimination results show.

Britney Spears, Demi Lovato, L.A. Reid, and Simon Cowell were at the judges' table last night as The X Factor went live for the first time in its second season. Britney herself admitted to being a bit nervous about going live during an interview earlier this week. The episode also marked the debut of new hosts Mario Lopez and Khloé Kardashian.

The remaining 16 contestants took to the stage to sing last night, and while the live broadcast went off without much of a hitch, Simon Cowell did have to be bleeped at one point when he used a curse word in critiquing one hopeful's performance. The competition continues tonight, when the four judges will have to send some of the contestants home.

Britney Spears was on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno last night, sporting a cleavage-baring dress and her new bangs. The X Factor judge was joined by her colleague Simon Cowell for the late-night visit. Britney told Jay that a "real charming phone call" from Simon convinced her to sign on for the series, and she also admitted that she's had a hard time getting used to being booed by the audience when she's tough on contestants, saying the heckling makes her "cringe."

Tomorrow night will be the start of The X Factor's live shows, which will feature performances from the remaining finalists. The reality competition has faced some ratings challenges in its second season, with The Voice drawing a larger audience share. Despite it, Fox has announced that The X Factor will be back for a third season, and the show has also earned several People's Choice Awards nominations, including a spot in the running for this year's favorite competition show.

The X Factor rolled into Hollywood last night for the show's second season world premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Returning judges L.A. Reid and Simon Cowell joined freshman pair Demi Lovato and Britney Spears for a handprint ceremony, then headed inside the theater. Britney penned her name and planted her handprints in wet cement next to her fellow judges while fiancé Jason Trawick and manager Larry Rudolph were also on hand to share in the celebration.

Inside the theater, fans chanted for Britney and Demi prior to the show's two-hour sneak peek. Following the screening, Demi, L.A., Simon, and Britney chatted about this year's contestants and what fans can look forward to seeing. According to L.A., Britney's the best judge on the panel and Demi has pleasantly surprised Simon every step of the way. Be sure to tune into The X Factor tonight at 8/7 Central to see Britney and Demi's debut, and stay tuned for our upcoming episodes of I'm a Huge Fan: Britney Spears!