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John Legend Says Demi Lovato And Britney Spears 'Aren't Really Singers' (VIDEO)

The Huffington Post  |  By Posted: Updated: 05/20/2012 10:51 am

E! News caught up with John Legend at the EW-ABC party on Wednesday night, and when they asked the singer his thoughts on the recent news that Britney Spears and Demi Lovato are joining FOX's singing competition, "The X-Factor" as judges, Legend said the news was "interesting."

"It should be very interesting. I don't have much to say," said Legend, who is set to star in ABC's new singing competition, "Duets."

"It's interesting when people, you know, are judging singing competitions when they aren't really singers." Ouch!

We don't know who John has been listening to, but Demi is absolutely a singer! Has he heard her amazing vocals on "Skyscraper" or the pitch-perfect "For the Love of A Daughter?" We love you, John Legend. But, perhaps you need to give Demi a second listen.

What do you think of John Legend's comment about Demi? Dish in the comments!


CHECK OUT THIS SLIDESHOW OF LATINOS IN YOUNG HOLLYWOOD

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  • Victoria Justice, 19

    Best known for her starring role as aspiring singer Tori Vega on Nickelodeon's hit series, "Victorious," half-Puerto Rican actress-singer Victoria Justice has lined up several roles on the big screen. She'll star in "Fun Size," a coming-of-age comedy for Paramount Pictures directed by Josh Schwartz ("Gossip Girl," "The OC") and "First Time," a teen romance movie directed by Jon Kasdan ("Freaks and Geeks)." Justice is also in the studio recording her debut album and she's been volunteering with the "Girl Up" Foundation to mentor young girls in Guatemala.

  • Bella Thorne, 14

    The half-Cuban star of Disney Channel's "Shake It Up," Bella Thorne is well on her way to becoming the next Selena Gomez. She's adorable, down to earth and immensely talented. She also loves hugging her fans. How cute is that?

  • Selena Gomez, 19

    The Mexican "I Love You Like A Love Song" singer parted ways with her hit Disney sitcom "Wizards of Waverly Place" in January, and is currently filming the irreverent comedy "Spring Breakers" with James Franco and Vanessa Hudgens, due out in 2013. She's also got a hot music career, and a clothing collection at K-Mart called "<a href="http://www.kmart.com/dream-out-loud/dap-120000000072290" target="_hplink">Dream Out Loud</a>." You may have also heard of her boyfriend, Justin Bieber?

  • Demi Lovato, 19

    <a href="http://www.latina.com/entertainment/celebrity/update-fights-partying-put-demi-lovato-rehab" target="_hplink">Following a stint in rehab to treat physical and emotional issues</a>, Demi Lovato reemerged stronger than ever and released her third studio album, "Unbroken" on September 20th, 2011. The first single off the album, a track called "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fqwgenoJgg&feature=related" target="_hplink">Skyscraper</a>," soared into <a href="http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/genre/rock-and-pop/demi-lovato-s-skyscraper-soars-into-billboard-1005286532.story" target="_hplink">Billboard Hot 100's Top 10</a>and marked Lovato's first top 10 debut on the Hot 100 and second top 10 title overall.

  • Rico Rodriguez,

    As the coffee-sipping Manny, Sofia Vergara's son on ABC's hit show "Modern Family," Mexican actor Rico Rodriguez is a man in a little boy's body -- but that's precisely why we love him.

  • Tyler Posey, 20

    His first major movie role was the part of Ty Ventura, Jennifer Lopez's son in the 2002 rom-com "Maid in Manhattan," but these days part-Mexican actor Tyer Posey is all grown up and starring in his own show, MTV's dark re-imagining of the Michael J.Fox 1985 cult-movie, "Teen Wolf."

  • Adam Irigoyen, 14

    On the hit Disney Channel series "Shake It Up," Cuban actor Adam Irigoyen plays Cece Jones' (Bella Thorne) best friend, the goofy but loveable, Deuce.

  • Jake T. Austin, 17

    After playing Selena Gomez's younger brother, Max Russo on Disney's hit series "Wizards of Waverly Place" for four years, Jake T. Austin is focusing on big screen projects. The "Hotel For Dogs" star can next be seen starring as the title character Huck in "Tom Sawyer & Hucklebrry Finn," due out in 2013.

  • Diego Boneta, 21

    The hunky 21-year-old Mexican actor, who is best known for his roles on teen shows like "90210" and "Pretty Little Liars," will receive CinemaCon's Rising Star of 2012 Award at the upcoming convention of theater owners in Las Vegas. This June, he'll also star opposite Tom Cruise and Catherine Zeta Jones in the Adam Shankman movie-musical, "Rock of Ages!"

  • Stefano Langone, 23

    After finishing in 7th place on "American Idol" season 10 (and flirting with Jennifer Lopez), half-Mexican singer Stefano Langone signed with <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/idol-worship/stefano-langone-signs-hollywood-records-280898" target="_hplink">Hollywood Records</a> in January, the same label that has artists like Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato and Miley Cyrus.

  • Naya Rivera, 25

    Half-Puerto Rican actress Naya Rivera is a fan favorite on FOX's hit show, "Glee." As Santana Lopez, a bitchy former cheerio turned Glee club member, Naya has the best lines of any character on the show. Our favorite? "Only straight I am is straight-up bi***." We also love that Naya -- whose character Santana is a Lesbian -- is a gay rights activist who recently hosted the GLAAD Awards.

  • Jasmine Villegas, 18

    Best known as the girl in<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kffacxfA7G4&ob=av2e" target="_hplink"> Justin Bieber</a>'s "Baby" video, half-Mexican, half-Filipino singer Jasmine V is about to become a household name. The 18-year-old singer has some of the most passionate fans on the planet and over a <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/JASMINEVILLEGAS" target="_hplink">million</a> Twitter followers who proudly refer to themselves as "Jasminators."

  • Francia Raisa, 23

    As the rebellious teenager Adrian Lee on ABC Family's hit series, "The Secret Life of the American Teenager," half-Honduran, half-Mexican actress Francia Raisa is always getting herself into bad situations. But that's what makes watching her character's journey so much fun!

  • Sara Paxton, 23

    Sara Paxton is best known for her scene-stealing roles in movies like "Sydney White" (2007) and "Aquamarine," (2006), but the half-Mexican actress is also the Latina queen of horror movies! After her brilliant turn in the dark thriller "The Last House on the Left," Sara signed up to play a ghost hunter in "The Innkeepers" (2011). And this year, she played real-life murderer Susan Wright in the Lifetime movie, "Blue Eyed Butcher."

  • Michael Trevino, 27

    Taylor Lautner, who? As the howling hottie Tyler Lockwood on the CW's hit series "The Vampire Diaries," Mexican actor Michael Trevino makes us forget we ever saw those "Twilight" movies. Plus, Trevino's character is half-werewolf <em>and</em> half-vampire, so he's <em>definitely </em>the total package! Team hybrid!

  • David Archuleta, 21

    He may be on a Mormon<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/27/david-archuleta-cuts-hair-for-mormon-mission_n_1382462.html" target="_hplink"> mission</a>, but that doesn't mean we'll stop caring about "American Idol" alum, David Archuleta. What can we say? We have a little <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6J1-eYBbspA&ob=av2e" target="_hplink">crush</a> on Archie!

  • Nathalia Ramos, 19

    Madrid-born actress Nathalia Ramos is the star of "House of Anubis," Nickelodeon's first ever soap opera aimed at children and teens. In the series, which is equal parts mystery and comedy, Ramos plays Nina Martin, the only American living at Anubis House.

  • Josie Loren, 25

    The Cuban actress is terrific as Kaylie Cruz -- an elite gymnast who is working to go to the 2012 Olympics in London -- on ABC Family's hit series, "Make It or Break It."

  • Alexa Vega, 23

    She's best known for her role as Carmen Cortez in Robert Rodriguez's "Spy Kids" movies, but half-Colombian actress Alexa Vega made us proud earlier this year when she played Gaby Rodriguez - a real-life high senior who secretly faked her pregnancy as a social experiment - in the hit Lifetime movie, "The Pregnancy Project."

  • Tristan Wilds, 22

    This half-Dominican actor is best known for his role as troubled youth Michael Lee on HBO's critically acclaimed series "The Wire," but he can currently be seen starring as college DJ Dixon Wilson on the CW's hit series, "90210."

  • Carlos Pena, 22

    Hes the only Latino member of the popular boy group, "Big Time Rush," and we've got a big crush on Spanish and Venezuelan actor, Carlos Pena!

  • Mark Indelicato, 17

    Half-Puerto Rican actor Mark Indelicato is best known for his role as Justin Suarez on ABC's "Ugly Betty." Up next the charismatic actor will star in a "High School Musical" spin-off called "Madison High," which will air ont he Disney Channel.

FOLLOW LATINO VOICES

E! News caught up with John Legend at the EW-ABC party on Wednesday night, and when they asked the singer his thoughts on the recent news that Britney Spears and Demi Lovato are joining FOX's singing ...
E! News caught up with John Legend at the EW-ABC party on Wednesday night, and when they asked the singer his thoughts on the recent news that Britney Spears and Demi Lovato are joining FOX's singing ...
 
 
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Edogg62
02:52 PM on 09/21/2012
THANK YOU MR. LEGEND!!! Some sanity in our lifeless, tasteless pop culture...

Those two bims are "entertainers," not "singers." And let me beat the numbskulls to the inevitable argument based on the suspect logic of "well, they're rich!"... By definition you're talking about an entity that "everyone" can appreciate or understand, which logic would dictate means that the product is fairly simplistic and strictly for mass consumption. McDonald's sells a LOT of burgers, but it's the worst burger on the market... go figure.

The ONLY "singing" competition I can stomach these days is "The Voice." Imagine... four strong singers in different genres judging a singing competition... CRAZY!
10:42 PM on 10/13/2012
Demi Lovato is an amazing singer, actually. Every time I hear a new song that I don't know she sings, I'm like "damn who is this???" and then I'm surprised when I hear its Demi Lovato. I'm learning more and more about how great her vocals are. Listen to Skyscraper and Give Your Heart A Break, and get back to me, okay?

Britney on the other hand, actually can't sing.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
rewith85man
Expressing Who I Am
10:38 PM on 06/20/2012
Well, he is not lying about that.

But, Britney Spears used to be a dynamic singer until her shaving incident and mental breakdown. Demi Lovato, on the other hand, is probably a better singer ever since she received psychological treatment. I honestly don't know if both of them are really great but they are adequately good.
11:22 PM on 06/20/2012
Please! When have you ever heard Britney Spears sing "LIVE". You can't attest to Britneys singing abilities because she has never sang Live. I have always been a huge Britney fan, as in her live performances. I used to emulate dance videos and live dance choreography. Britney, Aaliyah, Christina Aguilera,Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake all have the best choreography and I have numerous videos of all the artists live performances. Britney sang live once while sitting on a chair on stage for one of her concerts, but never on Leno, Letterman, or any late night talk show.
Kudos to Britney for getting her sh** together though , but singing live has never been her schtik.
I'm not sure about Demi. I only heard her sing on Dancing with the Stars, and it wasn't anything to write home about.
05:10 PM on 08/01/2012
I've heard Demi sing live....just recentely as a matter of fact when she was in Vienna, VA for a concert and it was an amazing show. NO lip syncing and she was on key all night. Demi really can sing very well. As far as Britney....although I'm a fan of her music....I've been to a couple of her concerts several years back and I didn't enjoy it anywhere near as much as watching Demi. Seeing Britney mouth the words to her songs with a mic she was wearing on her face while she was dancing just wasn't very entertaining to me.
06:00 AM on 05/26/2012
Everybody knows a good "cat fight" is good for ratings. John's just playing his part to stir up some viewing on his own ABC talent show. They're called "ACTORS" duh!! Ha. It's slightly funny coming from a guy who named himself LEGEND. **Maybe he was talking about Simon C?? Who knows.
07:52 PM on 05/23/2012
Both r GREAT singers! I don't know who he's listening 2 because it ain't Demi or Britany!
11:28 PM on 06/20/2012
A great singer? Don't make me laugh. Great singers are Brandy Norwood, Christina Aguilera, Aretha Franklin, Barbra Streisand, Mary J Blige, Celine Dion, and LeAnn Rimes.
Britney doesn't even have faith in her own singing ability. Britney NEVER sings live.
05:21 PM on 08/01/2012
I agree with your list except Barbara Streisand......YUCK! Just can't stand her voice I guess. And Britney.... she can not sing live. Demi....she can sing live and she rocks!
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Edogg62
02:54 PM on 09/21/2012
Let this be a lesson folks, being tone-deaf is a tragedy...
07:54 PM on 05/22/2012
A lot of non singers judge the talent of singers.
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Mr Bobo
Punk Rock Libertarian. Different. Better.
07:49 PM on 05/22/2012
"Performers" yes, "singers" not so much.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Elroy Jetson
Spacely Space Sprockets, Inc.
08:15 AM on 05/22/2012
It's nice that Disney is exploiting all this Latin 'talent' these days. After all, they've been living in the trashy Disney back lot undocumented employee trailers for years.
09:41 PM on 05/21/2012
It sounds to me like the fine folks at HuffPo have never heard of AutoTune.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Rob Paterson1
04:28 PM on 05/21/2012
who said that DEMI LOVATO#1 cannot sing, john Who? lol
09:45 PM on 05/21/2012
John Legend, but he can't hear you over the sound of how awesome his nine Grammies, Starlight Award, and multiplatinum records are.
03:01 PM on 05/22/2012
And your point is? John Legend is a has been , in 10 years nobody will know him, in 10 years everybody would still know Britney Spears whether they like her or not that says a lot in itself.
01:00 PM on 09/15/2012
Exactly.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Rob Paterson1
06:19 PM on 05/22/2012
still john who?, DEMI LOVATO#1!~
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Layla Portier
The world is a vampire...
02:49 PM on 05/21/2012
Actually, I don't think he was referring to Demi Lovato with his comment. Probably directed at Britney Spears, who everyone knows lipsyncs and lacks vocal talent. HuffPo just fishing for offenses.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Rob Paterson1
04:27 PM on 05/21/2012
Yes.
01:04 PM on 05/22/2012
I totally agree with you. I really do not think that the comment was directed to Demi at all because we all know that Britney is not that great of a singer.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Tre Members
Inna world fulla hate, Love is revolution
01:59 PM on 05/21/2012
But many artistic industries are like this- look at fashion. The people in charge of deciding who and what is beautiful- uh uh uh?
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
JohnnyLawson
your lips move but I can't hear what you're saying
11:20 AM on 05/21/2012
Gee, only a cynic would believe he just said this because they're on competing TV shows.
11:06 AM on 05/21/2012
Jimmy Iovine who has "judged" the singing on AI is not a singer but his comments have been spot on. You don't need to be able to sing just have a good ear for talent which it's doubtful they have since they have not been involved in nurturing talent. Being a judge on these shows is not about ability to judge but ability to look pretty, cry on cue, utter nonsensical banality as if it were the sermon on the mount and attract viewers...I'm sure they can do that
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Edogg62
02:58 PM on 09/21/2012
Jimmy Iovine is a LEGENDARY producer... his ears are HIS gift. And that sort of thing SHOULD be valued on such a program if they're going to insist on continuing to market themselves as a (snicker) "talent" program. Two vacuous bims from the trailer park with nearly zero ability as "musicians" or "artists" have no place in that forum if the charade is going to be continued...
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
cartograffer
09:04 AM on 05/21/2012
For someone who is "not a singer," Demi sure sounds pretty damm good!
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Edogg62
02:59 PM on 09/21/2012
Nearly ANYONE can sound good in a studio... sorry to burst the bubble. Lest you forget, her "music" is junk food for the ear. She has no credibility whatsoever. Unless you're a 12 year old girl that is.
12:02 PM on 10/21/2012
You said that anyone can sound good in a studio. That's correct. But, not many people sound the same live and in the studio. Demi does. Listen to the studio version of Give Your Heart A Break. Then listen to it live. Pretty much the same. "Lest you forget" skyscraper was number one on itunes, her debut album, Don't Forget, was number 2 on Billboard Top 200, her second album, Here We Go Again was number 1 and her third album, Unbroken, was number 4. Are those 12 year old girls? I know everyone has their opinions. I'm not saying that your opinion is wrong, I'm just stating mine. Don't say that my opinion is wrong, because I know some people do that. Just making a point.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Pete Marriott
Curator of The BRKLYN Collection
08:56 AM on 05/21/2012
Dear John Legend,

Although what you said is very true about these two young ladies not being real singers, you do realize now that you will be subjected to an endless hate by their fans and possibly placed in rehab for telling the absolute truth. The vitriol you will undoubtedly will send shock waves with the offices of your publicist who will hammered by their publicists via email and telephone seeking for your public apology and 90 days in media rehab.

Your record label will also be targeted in order to reprimand you further as your recording fund, per diem and marketing budget for your next album is suddenly denied due to the political pressure brought on by the Spears and Lovato camps who will further reek havoc through their connections at Clear Channel and MTV Networks. Your unabashed truth has started a war John, one that as a man you can't win.

Your multiple Grammy awards, gold and platinum plaques and all the accolades for the many hit records you've made in the past decade can't save you from this one, because in Hollywood, no one likes a truth teller.

But hey man the real John Legend fans got your back and when you're forced to join the indie soul scene the rest of the real singers you'll still be loved...eat in a smaller cafeteria, but you'll still be loved for telling the truth.

Respectfully,
Pete Marriott