Music mogul Simon Cowell is on a mission to prove that Britain still adores boybands, with plans to reclaim his legendary grip on the Christmas number one spot. This bold ambition is revealed by his closest collaborator, hit songwriter Savan Kotecha, as the pair star in a new Netflix documentary series.
The Quest for the Next One Direction
In Simon Cowell: The Next Act, which launches on December 10, the former X Factor judge and Kotecha embark on a nationwide search to assemble a new all-male group. Their goal is to create a worthy successor to the global phenomenon that was One Direction, a band whose hiatus in 2015 left a significant gap in the UK pop landscape. The tragic death of member Liam Payne in October 2023 has made any hope of a full reunion sadly impossible.
Kotecha, 47, who penned iconic hits like One Direction's What Makes You Beautiful and Ariana Grande's One Last Time, argues the demand for boybands never disappeared. He points to the enduring success of groups like the Backstreet Boys in Las Vegas, arena tours by New Kids On The Block, and the stadium-filling power of the Jonas Brothers. "I think people do still love boybands," Kotecha told The Daily Mail, "because if they didn't K-pop wouldn't be so big."
Blame it on TikTok: Why Cowell is Going 'Old-School'
The songwriter places blame for the decline of homegrown boybands squarely on the rise of TikTok and short-form social media fame. He claims music executives have shifted focus from traditional talent searches to quickly signing online personalities with ready-made followers. However, Kotecha is critical of this approach, suggesting many viral stars are "one-hit wonders" who "don't know how to perform" and "could never sell out a show."
This is precisely why Cowell, 66, is returning to his roots with old-school, in-person auditions. The process, documented in the series, involves dragging talented youngsters from their bedrooms to perform in front of a live panel. "We need kids to come out of their house and out from behind their phones," Kotecha explained. "We wanted to say 'hey, if you really want this, then show up.'" He believes this method is the only way to find artists with the genuine star power and stagecraft to build a lasting career.
A Passion Project, Not a Payday
For Cowell, this venture is driven by a genuine love for pop music and the creative process, not financial gain. "It's not about the money or fame for him," Kotecha insists. "There are a lot of easier ways to make money in the business. It's such a lottery ticket." He describes Cowell as having missed the thrill of discovery and development that defined the peak years of The X Factor.
The new band, whose identity will be unveiled in the series, will release its debut single directly into the fiercely competitive race for the Christmas number one. Cowell famously dominated this chart battle seven times with his X Factor winners, including Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke. Kotecha hopes the Netflix show will also demystify the band-creation process, showing the care and music-loving passion that goes on behind the scenes, contrary to the image of cynical "suits" often portrayed in documentaries.
With the UK boyband scene dormant for a decade since One Direction's peak, Cowell and Kotecha are betting that a return to foundational talent-scouting values can win over a new generation of fans and restore British pop groups to their former glory.
