LOS ANGELES (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Universal Music Group is denying rumors that Island Def Jam Chairman/CEO Antonio "L.A." Reid has departed the company, willingly or otherwise.
A UMG spokesperson told Billboard that there was "no truth to rumors that he is being fired or pushed out."
Rumors have been making the rounds on various music blogs that Reid had been forced out of his position but sources have since told the New York Daily News that Reid is still safely ensconced at IDJ. The sources went on to say that his departure was unlikely as UMG co-CEO Lucian Grainge is expected to rely on Reid for the major restructuring planned for the label group next year.
According to Billboard, Reid's had a pretty solid track record of late with Island Def Jam's releasing 5 of the top 40 selling albums this year, including Justin Bieber's "My World 2.0," (#3) and Ludicris' "Battle of the Sexes," (#21.)
Reid's name has also been bandied about as a possible judge on the forthcoming season of "American Idol," however, the recent naming of J-Lo and Steven Tyler as judges for the 10th season of the popular singing show would appear to make that unlikely. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
