L.A. Reid to join FOX's 'X Factor' as judge

"It's a done deal," sources tell The Hollywood Reporter about Antonio "L.A." Reid joining Simon Cowell and FOX's "X Factor" as a judge.

It was long rumored that the Island Def Jam chairman would be booked as a judge on the upcoming singing competition series and it now appears to be true.

Reid's contract with Universal Music expires in September, the same month "X Factor" premieres, but he will get an early release so he can join the FOX reality show. It's rumored that he will take a job at Sony Music, which is awarding the show's winner a recording contract worth $5 million.

A source says the announcement is to be made later this week. Reid is the first judge picked by Cowell and will be one of four on the judging panel. Auditions begin on Mar. 27 in Los Angeles.

Reid, 54, has worked with artists such as Mariah Carey, Rihanna, Kanye West, Justin Bieber, Avril Lavigne, Toni Braxton, Usher, OutKast and more throughout his career.