Louis Tomlinson Hints at Leaving The X Factor Amid Format Changes 🎤⚖️

Louis Tomlinson Hints at Leaving The X Factor Amid Format Changes 🎤⚖️

“It’s kind of tempting to step away,” says the star as the show eyes a celebrity revamp.

In early 2019, just months after guiding Dalton Harris to victory on The X Factor, Louis Tomlinson dropped a major hint that he might not return to the judging panel—citing creative differences with the show’s planned new direction.

The longtime fan-favorite and former One Direction member had made an impressive debut as a judge during the 2018 season, quickly winning over viewers with his honest feedback, strong mentoring style, and clear passion for nurturing undiscovered talent. But when news broke that The X Factor would be shifting toward a celebrity-focused format—featuring known faces instead of unsigned hopefuls—Louis didn’t hide his uncertainty.

In an interview at the time, Tomlinson admitted the idea of walking away was “kind of tempting,” especially given how much the heart of the show seemed to be changing. “I think if they do the celebrity version, it’s not something I’m necessarily going to be on board with,” he said, expressing his preference for keeping the focus on fresh, everyday talent.

For Louis, The X Factor had always been about giving unknown voices a chance to break through—just as it did for him and his former bandmates back in 2010. A shift toward showcasing already-famous contestants felt like a step away from the show’s roots, and Louis wasn’t sure he could get behind that.

Beyond the format concerns, he also pointed to his demanding solo music schedule as a major factor. With his debut solo album in the works at the time, the artist was balancing recording, promo, and touring—making a full commitment to the show increasingly difficult.

While Tomlinson never formally confirmed his exit at that moment, the writing was on the wall. His comments reflected a clear tension between artistic integrity, personal priorities, and the evolution of a show that helped shape his own career.

In the end, The X Factor did return with both Celebrity and Band editions later that year—without Louis at the judges’ table. And though fans missed his grounded presence on the panel, many applauded his decision to focus on his own music and stay true to his values.

TL;DR:

Louis Tomlinson hinted at leaving The X Factor in 2019 due to planned format changes and a desire to focus on new, undiscovered talent. With his solo career taking off and doubts about a celebrity version of the show, the singer admitted stepping away was “kind of tempting.”