Simon Cowell Calls Britney Spears 'Quite Mean' as an 'X Factor' Judge

Britney Spears frequently makes headlines and tabloid covers, but do we really know her?

Once "The X Factor" starts on Wednesday, Sept. 12 Spears might shock viewers, yet again. 

"I've seen the first show and I think it's sensational," Simon Cowell told reporters recently during a conference call alongside new judge Demi Lovato, according to People magazine. "I think the girls do a great job and the contestants are great. The show looks different than anything we've ever made before."  

Cowell explains that audiences will never know what Spears will do next. 

"[She] is a fascinating person because you just don't know anything about her," Cowell said (via People magazine). "She's very unpredictable. You never know what is going to happen. She has taken this very seriously and she's surprisingly quite mean." 

Cowell, the king of criticism, is calling another judge 'mean'? Cowell explains his comment: "In the past we've had judges that never say no. [But] she can't say no quick enough on this show. She's quite difficult to please." 

Fellow newcomer, Lovato, is also a fan of her colleague's judging style.

"I feel like the world hasn't gotten a chance to see her personality over the past couple years," Lovato said of Spears. "This is the perfect opportunity to see the light inside of her just shine. And she is very witty and funny and quirky. I just have such a good time working with her." 

Unlike former judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger, Cowell compares Lovato and Spears to "having two racehorses who are very talented but very difficult to control." 

"We have no control over these two whatsoever, and there are many, many times that we disagree," he said. "But that's what's made it more interesting this year. They are both unpredictable and have different and strong views."