The X Factor is an American television music competition to find new singing talent; the winner of which receives a $5 million recording contract. The second season began airing on Fox on September 12, 2012 and ended on December 20, 2012. Based on the UK format, the competition consists of auditions, in front of producers and then the judges with a live audience; bootcamp; judges' houses and then the live finals. Auditions for the show began in May 2012 and concluded in July 2012. The show is hosted by Extra and America's Best Dance Crew host Mario Lopez and reality star Khloé Kardashian, while the judging panel consists of Simon Cowell, Britney Spears, Demi Lovato and L.A. Reid. This season was the last season with Reid as a judge, as he announced that he would not be returning for the third season, where Paulina Rubio replace him.