After months of speculation, the two new judges for "The X Factor" have been revealed through the show's official Twitter page. Rita Ora and Nick Grimshaw will replace Mel B and Louis Walsh on season 12 of the U.K. talent competition show.
Ora is no stranger to judging televised singing competitions. She was a guest judge for "The X Factor" in 2012 and was one of the judges on the British version of "The Voice."
"I am excited to be coming back to 'The X Factor' - I had a ball here in 2012," she explains. "This is a journey I can't wait to embark on to find some talented singers. Its the new generation taking over. Booooom"
Let's do this @grimmers @cherylofficial @simoncowell @TheXfactor #xfactor pic.twitter.com/l7blKnlO8h
— Rita Ora (@RitaOra) June 16, 2015
Grimshaw, a popular radio DJ and host of BBC Radio 1's "Breakfast Show" could not contain his excitement for his new gig, saying, "I love 'X Factor' and have watched the series religiously since it started, so obviously I'm hugely excited to be joining the show. Music is my job and my passion and I'm really looking forward to seeing what talent we can find and nurture this year. I can't wait for Judges Houses in Oldham!"
The two new judges will join Simon Cowell and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini to round out the panel for season 12. Cowell has judged all but three seasons of the show, while Fernandez-Versini was a judge for seasons five through seven and returned last year.
The popular show hit a 10-year dip in ratings last season. Cowell hopes the new blood is just what the show needs.
Filming on season 12 will begin with live auditions on July 6 in Manchester, England.
