Music mogul Simon Cowell has broken his silence on his famously brutal demeanour as a judge on hit talent shows, stating he has no regrets about his harsh but honest approach.
The Philosophy Behind the Brutal Honesty
In a remarkably candid new interview with Rolling Stone, the 66-year-old reflected on his career defining roles on programmes like The X Factor, American Idol, and Britain's Got Talent. Cowell explained that his direct style was a deliberate choice, born from a refusal to mislead contestants.
"I would never want to 'bulls**t' people or give them false hope," he stated. When questioned if he believed he ever crossed a line with his critiques, Cowell admitted, "Look, every one of us is gonna say at one point, God, I shouldn't have said that."
He firmly defended his position, however, arguing that clarity is a form of kindness for those without the requisite talent. "But it's kinder to be really clear to someone who has zero talent," he said. "Do not think that if you carry on doing this, something magical is gonna happen and you are gonna become the biggest rock star or pop star in the world, if you can't sing."
A Personal Code: Applying the Same Rule to His Son
Cowell extended this principle to his own family, vowing he would be equally honest with his 11-year-old son, Eric, whom he shares with partner Lauren Silverman.
"I'm not going to bull***t these people and give them fake hope," he reiterated. "If Eric, my son, said, 'Dad, I want to be a singer,' and he sang to me and every note was outta tune, I would say, 'Darling, you can't sing.' I wouldn't lie to him."
Reflecting on the Tragic Loss of Liam Payne
The interview also took a sombre turn as Cowell addressed the death of Liam Payne, the One Direction star he discovered at age 14 on the 2010 series of The X Factor. Payne died on October 16, 2024, after falling from a third-floor balcony at the Casa Sur Palmero Hotel in Buenos Aires.
Cowell revealed that Payne had visited his home a year before his tragic passing, and that the singer seemed "in a really good place" at the time. Despite this, the music executive confessed to grappling with questions of what more could have been done.
"You ask yourself that question: 'Could I have done anything more? What would've happened to Liam if he hadn't been in the band?'" Cowell admitted. However, he was firm in his conclusion that he does not feel responsible for how Payne's life ultimately unfolded.
Following the news of Payne's death, Cowell released a heartfelt tribute, describing the pop star as "kind, funny and talented" and someone who "never forgot the fans". He recalled telling Payne at his first audition at 14 that it wasn't his time, and the promise they made to meet again—a promise Payne fulfilled through his determined return to the show.
Cowell also shared a poignant memory of Payne's final visit, where they simply sat and talked, reminiscing about their shared history and how proud Payne was to be a father to his son, Bear. Simon was later seen offering comfort to Liam's parents, Geoff and Karen, at their son's funeral.
The interview was conducted as Cowell promotes his new Netflix talent show, 'Simon Cowell: The Next Act'.
