When
The X Factor USA officially confirmed
Britney Spears as a judge for the next season of the talent show yesterday, it was literally a nail-biting announcement for the 30-year-old pop star.
Before fronting the cameras at FOX Network's Upfront Presentation party in New York, Britney's nerves drove her to bite her fingernails until they were bleeding.
Meeting the media alongside X Factor co-judges Simon Cowell, Demi Lovato and L.A. Reid for the first time in public, Britney struck a number of uncomfortable poses, like the one below, where she appears to be trying to hide her bloodied cuticles.
There's nothing wrong with my nails. There's nothing wrong with my nails. Image: Splash.
In 2008 Britney revealed she had a problem with biting her nails.
"I have to learn to stop biting my nails! I would like to stop worrying so much, because I worry all the time," she said.
Let's hope her $15 million X Factor pay packet helps calm her anxieties before the show airs in September.
Around that time, her FOX stablemates at Glee will debut another Britney tribute episode as part of their fourth season.
Britney overload ... is there such a thing?
Simon Cowell has faith that Britney won't buckle under the pressure of live TV.
After dining out with Britney and the other judges last night, Simon told TMZ he's "not at all" worried for the star, who is still under conservatorship (her legal decisions must be approved by fiance Jason Trawick and father Jamie Spears).
