Whitney Houston Approached for Seat on ‘X Factor’ Judges Panel (Exclusive)

UPDATE: On Saturday, Feb. 11, Houston’s publicist broke news that the Grammy-winning singer had died at the age of 48. Story here.

Whitney Houston could be staging another career comeback with a coveted seat next to Simon Cowell on The X Factor’s judges panel, sources tell The Hollywood Reporter.

The pop diva, who performed on the U.K. version of The X Factor in October 2009, is said to have been approached to join the Fox talent series, according to a source close to the show.

Mariah Carey has remained under consideration since the initial casting of the show, though Cowell has gone on record with assumptions that the singer is too busy with her family life to participate. Rumors of a $100 million Beyonce offer, however, are just that — rumors. Cowell was quick to shoot down the report in a recent interview.

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As previously reported by THR, Cowell fired host Steve Jones as well as judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger in one fell swoop. Judge L.A. Reid has inked a deal to return for the series’ second season.

Houston was spotted at a pre-Grammy party on Thursday, hosted by singer Kelly Price at TRU Hollywood. The 48-year-old diva also is expected to appear at Clive Davis’ annual pre-Grammy party on Saturday, where she will rub elbows with Quincy Jones, Tony Bennett, Jennifer Hudson, Elvis Costello and Sparkle co-star Cee Lo Green.

The singer also returns to the big screen in August in TriStar Pictures’ musical drama Sparkle, co-starring American Idol season six winner Jordin Sparks.

Reps for Houston and Cowell did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Fox declined to comment.