Miley Cyrus turned down a judging role on 'The X Factor' USA because she didn't want to be a ''dream crusher''.

The 19-year-old singer was approached by Simon Cowell's team about joining the talent show as a panellist, but she rejected the role because she doesn't believe she would have been able to criticise the contestants' singing even if they sounded like ''nails on a chalkboard''.

She said: ''I just don't know if I want to be some dream crusher.

''Would you really want to sit there as someone is belting their heart out - even if it is like hearing nails on a chalkboard - and then say to them, 'You suck?' ''

Miley admits she was ''scared'' of being too critical to a young wannabe which could land her with a reputation for being ''harsh''.

She is quoted as saying: ''I have no filter, so I would be scared I would say something and they would go home and say, 'Miley Cyrus ruined my dreams'. It seems harsh.''

After 'The Climb' hitmaker - who was also linked to replacing Steve Jones as the host of the series - turned down an 'X Factor' judging position, Simon appointed Britney Spears and Demi Lovato to replace departing judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger, who is now a panellist on the UK version of the show.