In Netflix’s talent-hunt show Simon Cowell: Next Act, Coming in December, a man known for issuing tough decisions from behind the desk American Idol And x factor He reveals himself to be a loving father with no lack of concern. “I’m very worried – I think we’re going to fail,” Cowell says on the show after audition sign-ups initially suffer from anaemia.
The series, which traces the formation of a new boy band, also proves that the fundamental formula somehow still works – there’s always an unknown kid who can unleash talent so raw and obvious that even Cowell breaks character. “I’m trying to keep a smile on my face, not a smile,” he says in our latest episode. rolling stone music now Podcast, “But I Couldn’t Help Myself.” To listen to the entire interview, head here to your podcast provider of choice, listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or simply press play above.
Then why put yourself through this?
We were sitting around, me and my team, and we were like, “Oh my God, we really miss working with the band.” And then there was this element of “Oh my God, if this was a disaster, there’s a strong possibility I wouldn’t do it again.” So there was a sense of finality. And of course you want to prove yourself. Can I still do it again? The world has changed a lot. The music has changed. But at the core of it, weirdly, nothing has really changed because it really still comes down to the same basics, which is that you have to find the stars.
What was your biggest fear about this procedure?
Oh, it was everything. You have to be confident. Otherwise, why bother doing it? I mean, I didn’t do it to fail. At the same time, once we started the process, I said, “Oh my God, what if no one comes?” That was a huge factor. And the real fear was – when we got the numbers down and I was taking them to America to work with producers and very famous vocal coaches and musicians – what if they sound terrible?
People have said that unconventional voices – Bob Dylan or Frank Ocean – would never come on your show. What do you make of that?
When I heard Bob Dylan’s version of the Adele song, “Make You Feel My Love”, I didn’t know she wrote the song. I think if he came in and sang that version, I’m not going to lie, I would have said, “Forget it.” seriously. Look, I’m not a Bob Dylan fan, but if people like him, they like him, and if you don’t, that’s okay.
What do you think American Idol In Simon’s later years?
I haven’t seen it. We had a really good time – me, Randy (Jackson), and Paula (Abdul), when there were three of us. It was absolutely fantastic. And then I think after Paula left, I thought, “Yeah, this is it. It’ll never be the same again.” And so I was very quick to follow.
It’s always been incredible to me that you guys got it so right in the first season with Kelly Clarkson. American Idol,
Oh, it was like a dream. I remember actually saying to someone, hypothetically, “I’m sure there’s someone out there and he’s probably working in a bar, trying to get a deal, can’t get into the right people or labels, but is brilliant.” That was the only feeling I had. It took some time to reach there. Some of the first people we saw in the first few cities – everyone was awesome. So I thought this show might be a disaster.
You couldn’t ask for a more perfect winner. And we are still friends today. He is an amazing person, incredible personality. And just this killer sound. It was like a movie. I just wish it wasn’t that guy. There was another girl, Tamara, and she was phenomenal, and the two of them in the final (episode), it could have been amazing, but it didn’t work at all.
You thought Justin Guarini wasn’t competitive enough for Kelly?
No,not at all. I think he himself would be the first to admit it.
When Jennifer Hudson was voted out, was it a sign that something was wrong with the process?
No, it was like a song. I said, “Don’t sing that song – I don’t think it’ll resonate.” So when that happened, yes, there was an uproar because she was so good. In a weird way, it was the best thing that could have ever happened to her because there was so much outrage that she got that role (dream GirlsThe funniest thing was that everyone thought I was somehow responsible for her being voted out. I wasn’t the one who was voting! I went to the Oscar party that year, and of course she was nominated, and everyone was staring at me – “Oh, you’re really going to get it.” And then of course she won. Everyone kept Staring at me I say, “I’m happy! What do you think? I’m unhappy? It wasn’t my fault!”
Your biggest signing ever was One Direction, and we lost Liam Payne last year. How do you understand that tragedy?
When I heard this news, it really affected me. I saw him a year before this happened. He came to my house. We talked about him being a son and a father. I remember saying, “Music isn’t everything. Don’t let it rule your life anymore. Find something else you’re passionate about.” You ask yourself this question: “Could I have done something else? What would have happened to Liam if he wasn’t in the band?” Speaking to his mom and dad recently, all they could tell me was how proud they were of what he had achieved. Of course, I wish I could turn back the clock. When I talked to him that day I felt very good about him. I thought, “Wow, you seem to be in a really good place.”
People were looking for someone to blame, and some landed on you. Was that sad?
I don’t read any of this because if I did, you would torture yourself. The idea that you’re essentially responsible for someone’s life after 10 years of signing someone? You can’t do that.
You have built your reputation by being extremely honest with people. But do you ever look back and think that you have crossed a line of cruelty?
Look, every one of us at one point will say, oh my God, I shouldn’t have said that. But it’s really kind of obvious to have someone who has zero talent. “Don’t think that if you keep doing this, something magical is going to happen and you’ll become the biggest rock star or pop star in the world if you can’t sing.” The show is supposed to be honest, and I’m not going to bullshit these people and give them fake hope. If Eric, my son, said, “Dad, I want to be a singer,” and he sang to me and every note was out of tune, I’d say, “Darling, you can’t sing.” I won’t lie to him.
It fascinates me that Harry Styles’ audition for you was so vocally volatile, as I’m sure he’d be the first to admit it. But this is a man who went on to become a superstar. What does this tell us?
You are looking for possibilities. There is no such thing as a perfect audition. Most people are nervous. They choose the wrong song, or they don’t have the experience. You know, he was very young when he came on the show. He had tremendous charisma. He came out, he was funny. The audience liked him immediately. I didn’t think he was ready to compete as a solo artist that year. So we immediately thought, wouldn’t it be better for him to start out in a band with some other guys who were in a similar situation?
What would have happened to Harry if he hadn’t come on the show or been in One Direction? No one could have predicted this. I think he would say the same thing. Harry is smart. I always knew about him. He understood his audience. And he has gotten better over the years. This is a very good point.
How do you want to be remembered?
You are referring to my age! I go to this wellness clinic where they actually take your blood, they wash it, they filter it, they put it back into your body. Eating better, more exercise, and less stress have actually caused me to age backwards.
So do you plan to live forever?
I was actually about to freeze myself once because I thought why not? But then I found out that you basically come back as a floating head every 2,000 years. I would like to be remembered as someone who has always worked hard. I believe that I have treated everyone I have met well. I’ve met a lot of people who are great on camera (but) are absolute monsters off camera. I am the same person on and off camera.
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