L.A. Reid: ‘I Will Not Return To The X Factor Next Year’ (Exclusive)

L.A. Reid is leaving “The X Factor,” Access Hollywood can reveal.

“I have decided that I will not return to ‘The X Factor’ next year,” he told Access’ Shaun Robinson in an exclusive interview. “I have to go back and I have a company to run that I’ve kind of neglected and it saddens me a little bit, but only a little bit.”

L.A. said he needs to get back to business as the chairman and CEO of Epic Records.

“It was a nice break, it was a nice departure from what I’ve done for the past 20 years, but now I gotta go back to work,” he said.

The exiting reality show judge said he needs to focus on his musical performers.

“I have a huge responsibility to a roster of artists and it’s kind of time for me to stop doing the ‘me’ show,” he said.

L.A. insisted he is not leaving the show on anything but good terms with boss (and fellow judge this season) Simon Cowell.

“I love Simon. We have a great relationship, we have fun together, we talk, we laugh, we do bad things, we’re friends. I owe so much to Simon,” L.A. said. “I really have a lot [of] respect for him and I always will. I support him, I support the show and I’ll always be in business with him.”

Looking back on his two-season tenure, which is about to wrap up, L.A. said he has no regrets.

“It was fun! I had a great time,” he told Shaun.

And as he leaves, L.A. said he has some knowledge he can apply to his business.

“I probably have to say its understanding television a little bit better. I do everything sort of as a strategist, so really, the idea was go and learn television. I know a little bit about it, so now let’s go produce some shows,” he said.

With a seat about to become vacant on the FOX reality show, L.A. offered his suggestion on who should fill the spot.

“You know who I would love to see take it, and by the way I have nothing to do with it, but my choice would be like Jon Bon Jovi,” he said. “That’s who I would pick.”

L.A. also told Shaun he could be back somewhere down the line.

“I’m not ruling ever coming back, but I’m definitely not coming back next year,” he said. “I have a job to do and once I get some work done and get some momentum then maybe I’ll revisit the idea a little later.”

Jolie Lash

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