Music mogul Simon Cowell, aged 66, was spotted cuddling with his partner Lauren Silverman, 48, as they watched his newly formed boyband December 10 perform at the O2 Islington in London on Thursday. The seven-member group, created through Cowell's Netflix documentary series The Next Act, aims to replicate the phenomenal success of One Direction, but early signs suggest a rocky start.
December 10's Tour Success and Chart Struggles
The band, consisting of members Cruz (19), Danny (17), Hendrick (19), John (17), Josh (17), Nicolas (16), and Sean (19), delivered an energetic performance that captivated the audience. Their live dates across the UK and Ireland have completely sold out, with the tour kicking off in Glasgow on February 16 and set to conclude in Dublin on February 22. This commercial success on the road, however, contrasts sharply with their debut single's performance.
After releasing their first track Run My Way last month, December 10 limped into the charts at a disappointing number 72. The single managed to shift just 6,300 units within its first week, encompassing physical sales, digital downloads, and streaming figures. This underwhelming entry has raised eyebrows in the music industry, with insiders labelling Cowell's latest venture as a catastrophe and a disaster.
Industry Concerns and Critical Reception
Even the band's future with EMI/Universal appears less secure than Cowell might have hoped, casting doubt on their long-term prospects. The Netflix project marks Cowell's return to music creation five years after the closure of his label SyCo, following a career that spawned global acts like One Direction, Little Mix, Susan Boyle, and Westlife through shows such as The X Factor and Got Talent.
On The Next Act, Cowell was joined by Lauren and industry professionals including Savan Kotecha, Kamille, Poo Bear, Pete Waterman, and Robert Stevenson. Despite this star-studded lineup, the series has been met with scathing reviews from critics who describe it as dated and derivative.
Metro's Jon O'Brien noted that pop music has evolved beyond traditional talent shows, writing: "It’s been four years since The X Factor was finally put out of its misery and a good dozen since its halcyon days... Unfortunately, no one seems to have told Simon Cowell." The Telegraph's Anita Singh echoed this sentiment, stating the series is "as flat as his hairdo" and calling it a vanity project.
Widespread Critical Panning
Other publications were equally harsh. The Guardian's Stuart Heritage dismissed the documentary as "the billionth take on his one idea," while Grazia's Nikki Peach remarked: "The toxic 2010s called, they want Simon Cowell back." She added that the show reveals Cowell's declining influence, as he pushes 70 and seeks to prove his relevance to himself and his 11-year-old son.
Review aggregators highlight the consensus:
- Metro gave it two stars, calling it an old-school talent show that doesn't work in 2025.
- The Telegraph awarded one star, criticising its flat presentation.
- The Guardian also rated it one star, underscoring its lack of innovation.
Greg Wheeler at The Review Geek described it as "a dated vanity project dressed up as a revival," noting that while it avoids reality-TV tricks, the format remains creaking and unmodernised. The documentary focuses heavily on Cowell's past successes but sidesteps allegations from former artists, further fuelling criticism.
As December 10 continues their tour, the juxtaposition of sold-out venues against poor chart performance and negative press paints a complex picture for Cowell's comeback attempt. Whether the band can overcome these early hurdles remains uncertain, but the music industry is watching closely.
