If there’s one thing we’ve learned in the past four-plus years while observing the neverending shuffles of judges on shows like American Idol, X Factor and The Voice, it’s that singing competitions make for strange bedfellows.
Take, for example, the latest news to come out of the Fox fortress: X Factor's Demi Lovato is being paired up with fellow teen star Nick Jonas for the judges’ house portion of the show, THR has learned. This is the part of the competition where final cuts are made and the Top 16 acts are revealed -- four for each judge (last year, show creator Simon Cowell made a fifth pick in Melanie Amaro, who eventually won the competition).
PHOTOS: MTV Video Music Awards 2012: The Nominees
In an X Factor twist, each judge is given a group to mentor. Season two’s split has yet to be revealed, but several sites are reporting that the breakdown will look like this: Lovato will take on solo singers ages 12 to 16, Britney Spears will mentor singers 17 to 24, L.A. Reid will handle ages 25 and over and Cowell will guide the groups (a show rep tells THR that there have been changes to the divisions but wouldn’t confirm any details).
Meanwhile, the Lovato-Jonas connection is a deep and long-lasting one. Not only did the 20-year-old singer get her break with the lead role in the Jonas Brothers 2008 movie Camp Rock, but she’s also toured with the group extensively and dated Joe Jonas for a stint.
AUDIO: 'X Factor' Winner Melanie Amaro Premieres New Single
For his part, Nick Jonas has been actively campaigning for the judge's seat on Fox’s other singing show, American Idol, tweeting that “it would be a dream come true.” While appearing on X Factor could give network brass an opportunity to see him doling out criticism on-air, it could just as easily dissuade them.
We'll know soon enough as Idol auditions in front of the judges typically start in late September. X Factor season 2 is set to premiere on Sept. 12.
Twitter: @shirleyhalperin