Demi Lovato And Simon Cowell Bicker On X Factor, Contestants Weigh In

Demi Lovato and Simon Cowell did more of their half-scripted bickering on the December 5 edition of The X Factor, but the friction doesn’t appear to be moving the show’s contestants.

While Lovato and Cowell began the show’s second season with light-hearted banter, the quips have become a little more acidic in recent weeks. On last week’s show, tensions appeared to peak.

When Cowell’s group Emblem3 took to the stage to cover Bruno Mars’ “Just the Way You Are,” Demi Lovato opted to criticize the boy band, despite fellow judges Britney Spears and L.A. Reid praising the trio. Lovato described the performance as “a downgraded version of the Jonas Brothers five years ago.” Cowell sniped back, “That was incredibly dumb, what you just said. Honestly.” The group’s second song, Alphaville classic “Forever Young,” also failed to impress Lovato, prompting Cowell to ask the 20-year-old, “What is the matter with you tonight?”

Things lightened up later in the episode when Lovato praised Cowell’s girl group, Fifth Harmony, after they covered the No. 1 smash “Give Your Heart a Break” by, er, Demi Lovato.

“I think this song should have been your song,” purred Lovato to the group. “It was energetic. It was fun. I think that Simon actually did a good job this week.” That prompted a sharp “Thank you, Cruella” remark from Cowell.

Speaking to several of the remaining contestants after the show, Us Weekly found many to be unfussed by the exchanges between Lovato and Cowell. 13-year-old Carly Rose Sonenclar told the site:

“I think they have a love/hate relationship. I think it’s part of the show and people expect that now.”

And 37-year-old country singer Tate Stevens was more concerned about saving his own skin:

“You guys do your thing. Just don’t take it out on me!”

The friction swings both ways, mind. Cowell recently told Lovato’s contestant CeCe Frey: “You’re not worth a $5 million recording contract.”

What do you make of the Demi Lovato and Simon Cowell banter? Playing up for the cameras or a genuine beef?