Spears denies storming off the set of X Factor

If Britney Spears walked off the X Factor set, would you hold it against her? Because that’s what TMZ is reporting. X Factor auditions launched Thursday in Austin, Texas and when one wouldbe contender stepped up to perform Spears’ Hold it Against Me, the pop star reportedly bolted — leaving the rest of the judges to blather at the wannabe Subos and Biebers who may have followed. Maybe X Factor’s 15 Million Dollar Woman was being a cranky pants. Maybe she just needed a Cheeto break. Or, maybe, she’s just making some good TV. ( As Deadline notes, former X Factor judge Paula Abdul pulled a similar stunt during a taping last year, storming out of an audition when a contestant dropped his pants.) But the official word from Spears — or the faithful robot who Tweets for her — is that the walkout was no big whoop. “# Britneywalksoff??? LOL was just taking a little break people. I am having the BEST time!!!” Spears tweeted in response to TMZ’S report. The pop star’s publicist also spoke with both TMZ and People magazine. As the rep told the latter outlet, “She was not upset. She just took a short break, which is not uncommon for judges to do in these taped shows.” After Thursday’s auditions in Austin, The Hollywood Reporter obtained some leaked audio from the taping. They didn’t grab anything from the reported walkoff ( as if you’d want to hear the clip- clop of Spears’ platform pumps, anyway), but the tape at least suggests that the new panel has chemistry. ( Apparently, Spears and Lovato have very different taste in pop, and that’s made for some clashing critiques.) With luck and an extra- large cup of her sponsor’s cola, maybe Spears will be more animated on X Factor than she was at last week’s Fox upfronts. Certainly, her X Factor predecessors are on Team Britney. Former judge Nicole Scherzinger told E! News this week that she’s cheering for both Spears and Lovato. “I wish them the best of luck. I’m excited for them,” she said. And Paula Abdul, who also left the show at the end of season 1, told E! that the two pop stars will “be fantastic.” “You just have to go with the flow, speak your mind, and just remember millions of people are watching,” Abdul said.