Is Britney the Toughest Judge on TV?

How’s Britney Spears doing at her new job? It appears the newest judge on The X Factor has taken some notes from her boss, Simon Cowell, and is not holding back what’s really on her mind – like it or not.

Britney appears to be thriving in the spotlight of her new role. "She's got a really good instinct, and when she loves something, she looks like she wants to dance on the desk," a source told People. "When she doesn't like someone, she is incredibly tough."

Not only does she look fit, flirty, and fabulous, but Britney has been demonstrating a refreshing level on confidence that we haven’t seen since her heyday (think pre- Kevin Federline).

"She loves interesting and fun auditions and is prepared to stick her neck out and support someone no matter if some of the other judges disagree," the source continued to People.

With Cowell out sick for the week in Kansas City, Missouri, Britney didn’t hesitate to step up as the judge not afraid to tell the contestants when they were amazing…or if they needed to pack up, go home, and pick a new career to dream about.

Just this past weekend, she told a contestant, "You have to be great to be on this show, so [I vote] no," Painful, yet honest.

Britney also does not have time for tomfoolery. She is taking her job quite seriously and clearly does not appreciate contestants who do not do the same. When another contestant in Kansas City refused to face the judges while singing for the try-out, Britney walked off set along with the other three judges. 

"It was really awkward," an audience member recalled. "You could tell the judges were done." 

Perhaps if the contestant had demonstrated a remarkable voice, Britney would have entertained the eccentricity, but acting like a diva when you don’t have the pipes to back it up does not earn respect from Britney or her cohorts. The contestant was likely embarrassed to later learn he had continued singing long after the judges had left the building.

Showing a bit of her own inner diva, Britney was the only judge that didn’t return for the final rehearsals later that day. Of course, the audience noticed and chanted “Where’s Britney” all through the other judges’ critiques. An explanation for her absence was not given.

Britney scored a $15 million contract with The X Factor for just one season. Clearly, Cowell feels confident that Britney’s star power will boost the show’s ratings.

"Simon is a shrewd businessman who knew Britney could make his show and he was willing to give her just about anything.”

We’re looking forward to seeing more of this confident Britney and see what she can do from the judge’s chair. Will she become the female – and much better looking – version of Simon Cowell? We wouldn’t mind seeing that.