Singer John Legend slammed Britney on X Factor, saying she, who’s sold over 100 million albums, is not a singer!

“You know it’s interesting. It should be very interesting. I don’t have much to say,” he tells Eonline.com at the EW-ABC Upfront party when asked about The X Factor’s new judges. “It’s interesting when people, you know, are judging singing competitions when they aren’t really singers.”

Legend followed up his statement, Tweeting followers:

“I’ve never heard demi’s voice btw. Wasn’t referring to her.”

The real legend, Robin Thicke, thinks otherwise. “Oh come on, everything Britney does, she excels at. Demi is a lovely young lady, and I’m sure they’ll do nothing but make the show a lot more fun to watch.”

Kelly Clarkson also shares Thicke’ sentiment about Brit’s (and Demi’s) role. “I’m excited for both of them. I’m a big fan of both of them. Both of those girls are super sweet,” she gushes. “I think it’s fun for them too to just be more out in the public eye again. I think those two are two you really want to root for and you really want them to succeed, so I think that’s exciting.”

“Obviously they are both performers so…I think that show really needs it I don’t think everybody latched onto that show like they thought they would.”

Feel free to Tweet him and let him know what’s up!

Now that Britney’s officially a judge on X Factor, some worry she’s being thrusted back into hot rays of the spotlight, a place Britney might not really want to be. Is Britney ready?

“She’s got really smart people around her,” said Howard Bragman, Hollywood crisis managment expert and vice chairman of Reputation.com to HollywoodReporter.com. “I don’t think Britney and Larry (Rudolf) and her team would let her out if she wasn’t ready.”

Bragman told THR Britney could get ready for her role by watching past seasons of X Factor to get “as familiar possible while learning from the judges’ on-air mishaps.”

He also said it’s important for Britney to develop her own judging style because viewers respond to originality. And of course, Britney’s no stranger to pressure.

“Don’t underestimate someone a little shaky,” he said, mentioning Abdul’s successful run of “walking the tightrope” on American Idol. “This is a good girl. We want her to succeed.”

Legal and communications strategist Mark Fabiani, who worked with Lance Armstrong during his performance-enhancing drug controversy, said Britney could benefit from low expectations.

“People are eager to give second chances to other people if they seem to be trying hard,” he said.

Fabiani also commented on Britney’s years of experience, and most recently performing her Femme Fatale world tour.

“I wouldn’t sell short a person like that, In some ways, it doesn’t seem daunting,” he said. “Part of the fun of these shows is they are seemingly spontaneous,” observed Fabiani, noting Britney should practice various media techniques to ensure a smooth debut this fall, but insists her feedback should not be scripted or rehearsed beforehand.

Matt Hiltzik, who’s guided Alec Baldwin through his crises, compared training Britney for X Factor to preparing an athlete for a post-retirement life in the public eye.

The difference between lots of the judges out there and Britney, is she remains immersed in the performing world, and that lends her credibility as a judge.

“She’s perfectly capable of doing it,” he said. “People should give her a chance. She is a fascinating figure who’s lived the life.”

Britney’s featured in the latest issue of OK! Magazine, detailing her X Factor makeover.

“No one wants Britney to be a flop, so she has to look and act great on camera,” says an insider. “It will be a challenge because Demi is a natural and is guaranteed to be an audience pleaser.”

They also discuss her body-makeover for the show, including eating lots of greens and hitting the gym.

“Luckily, Jason has turned into an exercise fanatic, so the two hit the gym together to keep each other inspired.”

Check out the scans in XRAY:

Whether she’s just joking or not, it was really sweet of Mariah Carey to make nice-nice with Britney.

Yesterday, Extra asked Mariah her thoughts on Britney’s X Factor role. She said “You think I care about that stuff?” Today, MC Tweeted Britney saying:

@BritneySpears & @SimonCowell of course I luv+care about you dahhlings, congrats! U never know what’s true or gossip,I was joking around!xo”

Classy!

Britney placed sixth on Forbes‘ 100 Most Powerful Celebrities List in 2012, ranking in $58 million in the last full year.

Rounding out the top five are Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Oprah Winfrey and taking the number one spot is Jennifer Lopez.

Congrats, Brit!

Everybody’s talking all this stuff about her, why can’t they just let her live?

New reports claim Britney appeared at the X Factor event with bloody/bitten finger nails and lipstick stains on her dress.

It was also rumored Britney’ll have all her lines written for her, but Simon Cowell says he’s “not at all” worried about Britney.

Meanwhile, American Idol judge Jennifer Lopez isn’t as confident, but provided some positive encouragement: “I feel a little scared for them, because I was scared when I started. It’s live TV – there’s a lot of pressure that goes with it – but I think they’ll do great.”