Simon Cowell
- Profession: Music mogul
- Place/Date of Birth: Brighton, 07 October 2020
There are 37 music industry professionals on the list but no pop stars under the age of 30, thanks to astute record company contractors. At 33, Angels star Williams is one of the youngest to make the grade.
Simon: Why I chose Dermot - April 4 2007
Simon Cowell has spoken out on why he chose Dermot O’Leary to replace Kate Thornton as X Factor host - saying he was the "natural choice".
Speaking to Heat magazine, he said: "Dermot is the natural choice for the show, simple as that. From what I understand he took time to think about it very carefully and has decided to take it, which is great news. ITV wanted him as well."
The music mogul was quick to dismiss accusations that the sacking of Kate Thornton was personal.
"I think Kate will feel better about a guy taking the job. It makes the point that we wanted someone different and that it was nothing to do with her," he said.
Dermot, face of Channel 4’s Big Brother’s Little Brother, is rumoured to have turned down the X Factor offer twice before finally accepting, sparking speculation he wasn’t ready to step up in to ITV’s primetime slot.
Simon added: "He always could have been Mr Primetime, he is good. I’ve met him on several occasions and I like him a lot."
Simon’s hurt feelings - Mar 28 2007
Simon Cowell admits that he’s still "ticked off" about Jennifer Hudson’s "selective memory" following her Oscar win for Dreamgirls. see photos of the Oscars
The 25-year-old has consistently said that she was dissed when she appeared on American Idol - and didn’t thank the show in her acceptance speech.
"I was expecting that," Simon says. "The only thing I got a little bit ticked off about was the selective memory. Out of seven or eight performances, she got incredible comments, other than one week."
He continues: "But if you listened to her interviews, she used the word abuse, what a terrible time she had. Someone sent me the tapes and she got incredible feedback.
"For somebody like that, you don’t have to send us any flowers, you just say thanks for the head start, really appreciate it, it got me the movie, got me the Oscar, life’s good."
The TV judge also reveals that he doesn’t understand contestants who complain about coming on the hit programme.
"Sometimes afterwards [the competitors] go I never wanted to win, this was my stepping stone. Then you think, ’Would you have said that when you were on the show and you wanted votes?’.
"They’re not going to stand there and go, ’Vote for me, having said that don’t care if I win or lose because I’ve got bigger things in mind’.
"There’s nothing wrong with saying I need this show. I need it because I think I’m talented, all the doors have been closed in my face, so give me a break."
Simon: I have no conscience about it - Mar 20 2007
Simon Cowell has said he feels the contestants he judges on American Idol deserve everything they get - particularly the criticism he dishes out.
In a new interview with CNN, the multi-millionaire says: "I don’t have any conscience about this at all.
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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