Simon Cowell
- Profession: Music mogul
- Place/Date of Birth: Brighton, 07 October 2020
The project, tentatively titled Star Struck, was inspired by Alan Parker’s 1980 film Fame and will follow 10 contestants trying to make it to the top.
The leads in the film, who will play participants in the competition, will be cast through US auditions similar to those used on the reality shows.
Simon told Hollywood Reporter: "The story is told through the eyes of those 10 contestants.
"We want it to be the musical version of Rocky - an underdog story, a feel-good film."
He added: "Fame was all about young people wanting to be famous, and in order to do that, they enrolled in a drama school.
"The difference 25 years later is that everyone who wants to be famous today signs up for American Idol."
Simon said casting unknowns for the lead roles was crucial for the film’s authenticity.
"To enjoy the film, you’ve got to watch the actors and believe that they are contestants on a reality show," he told the showbiz website.
He added that the film will open with clips from the auditions and he will also attend the cast auditions.
It will be written by Briton Jonathan Harvey, who has followed the music producer around for the past two years.
Simon’s a hit on rich list - July 23 2007
Simon Cowell is used to being behind chart-toppers, but now he’s managed to score a number two spot himself. Mr Nasty has been named the second highest paid TV star in the US, with a £22.5 million salary.
Simon’s American Idol show is the most-watched in the country, with audiences of 30 million viewers.
He also produces and presents America’s Got Talent, which also scores highly in the ratings war.
His real money-spinner is ownership of the syndication rights to American Idol though. The show, which is broadcast to over 100 nations, has been a breeding ground for stars like Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson.
The 47-year-old pop mogul was pipped to the post in the rich list by chat queen Oprah Winfrey, who remains top of the TV Guide magazine’s rich list with a whopping £130 million a year.
Simon’s smoking ’minders’ - July 16 2007
TV bosses have reportedly hired minders for Simon Cowell - to protect him while he has a cheeky cigarette during X Factor filming.
The 47-year-old music mogul, who apparently gets though two packs of cigarettes a day, is no longer allowed to light up in the X Factor studios because of the smoking ban - so he has to brave the general public on the street.
Now staff are on hand to escort Simon to a private smokers area, according the Daily Star.
A source told the paper: "He used to light up during the ad breaks on the X Factor. "That’s no longer allowed and you can’t even pop outside the studio."
He will have two minders to look after his needs, the paper claims.
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Starting in 1979 with EMI Music Publishing, Cowell (42) got a taste for what the public wanted and it wasn’t long before he decided to take these qualities and put them to use for himself, setting up his own label, Fanfare, along with partner Iain Burton.
By 1989 BMG had offered Simon a position as A&R Consultant. It was a relationship which would prove to be hugely successful, profitable and enduring. Cowell has set-up his own label through BMG, S Records, reflecting the success and vision he has manifested.
Simon’s roster of signing reads like a who’s who of pop success stories over the last decade. Highlights include, Curiosity Killed The Cat, Sonia, and cornering the boy band market, bad boys of pop Five (who disbanded last year) and the global multi-platinum phenomenon, Westlife.
Always pop but never predictable, Simon has enjoyed some of his most successful signings by always keeping an eye firmly on the TV world, sensing a public following and always being the first knocking on the door. The Power Rangers, World Wrestling Federation, Zig & Zag and the Xmas Number 1 smash Teletubbies moved from the small box to the airwaves due to Simon, although, he claims his biggest shock success would come in the form of Robson & Jerome.
Making records and breaking them, in the last 10 years, Cowell has achieved sales of over 25 million albums, over 70 top 30 records and 17 number 1 singles.
Simon is currently a judge on the US version of Pop Idols and is busy looking after Will, Gareth and Sarah Watemore, who he signed to BMG after the show.
December 2007