Simon Cowell reportedly wants Cheryl Cole to be a judge on the US version of the X Factor, saying “I’d love to have Cheryl on the show. We have great chemistry. Cheryl’s a natural star. People can’t help but warm to her.” And wouldn’t you know it? The Girls Aloud singer is accepting the offer. An insider reveals “Simon thinks America will fall in love with Cheryl, just like Britain has. She has a unique talent for winning everybody over. She gets involved emotionally with her acts, whereas the other judges don’t. She is incredibly passionate, genuine and caring and he knows he needs a judge like that on the line-up. Simon also loves that Cheryl isn’t afraid to stand up to him on the show. He knows their banter will be a massive hit with American audiences. Not only does he want her on American X Factor but he wants her to be sat on the much sought-after seat directly next to him.”
The American Idol contestant’s song choice for last night was “Put your records on” by Corinne Bailey Rae. Even though her rendition is not bad at all music-wise, the judges don’t seem too impressed with her. Simon Cowell’s advice is practical: he tells Katie Stevens to get more experience. However, Ellen DeGeneres probably hit a nerve with her remark: “I don’t want to hear something I would hear in my dentist’s office.” That kind of attitude is probably not going to score Katie Stevens too many votes. It looks like she may be one of the unlucky ones this week. Damn those dentists!
Simon Cowell’s mum Julie has said she wants him to get a move on with his wedding plans.
Cowell, 50, recently said he was ’smitten’ with girlfriend Mezhgan Hussainy, 36, and has even hinted marriage and kids may not be too far off.
His mum Julie, 84, said: “Turning 50 has made him reassess his life.
“We’re friends with Michael Winner, who recently got engaged at 73. I’m going to tell Simon not to do a Michael on me as I won’t live that long.”
Cowell has asked Hussainy to move in with him and Julie said: “Although girlfriends have stayed with him in the past, he has never done that before. This seems to make it official.”
She added: “Now I really think marriage and fatherhood are going to happen.”
Shock jock Howard Stern’s rumoured addition to the American Idol panel of judges has been slammed by parent activists in the US.
The Parents Television Council demanded the Fox network address the claims.
PTC president Tim Winter said in a statement on Wednesday: “Given American Idol’s extreme popularity with family audiences, I hope that Fox will put the rumours to rest and announce that it has no intention of adding to the show one of the most profane, sexually explicit and anti-family performers in the history of the broadcast medium – either as a guest or as a judge.”
He added: “Unless Stern intends to undergo some sort of moth-to-butterfly metamorphosis – though in his case the change would be more like rattlesnake to labrador retriever – adding him to American Idol would spell immediate death for one of the best franchises in American family entertainment.”
Stern is widely rumoured to be replacing soon-to-be-outgoing star judge Simon Cowell.
Last week Simon Cowell embarked on the endeavor of making a mega-hit single that would help the victims of the Haiti earthquakes. And what mega-hit single could even be a hit if Mariah Carey wasn’t singing on it. So the music lord pulled a few strings and he got Mariah Carey to participate in his grand design. This is what Simon Cowell said on the matter: “We’re getting there. We have had an incredible amount of support. It’s amazing these great singers are clearing their schedules to make this happen. I just found out Mariah has changed her schedule to be able to do this too. It says such a lot that everyone is working so hard to help Haiti. This is something that really matters to us all and I’m so grateful for the support we are getting.” Well, if Mariah Carey actually cleared her schedule than it really is a big deal. But then again, Simon Might just get the chance to regret that she’ll be there to do her part too.
Just because you get a #1 album in the UK and the US doesn’t mean that you get any special treatment. It seems that Susan Boyle will not get a nomination for the Brit Awards this year and it’s all Simon Cowell’s fault. According to The Daily Mail, the snub is a veiled attack on the music mogul. A source says “She’s not even shortlisted for Best Female, even though that’s usually the weakest category. And it’s not just an attack on Susan. It also shows how Simon Cowell is regarded by many in the record business. It’s disgusting. She has done more for the British record industry this year than anyone else. The problem for the Brits is they’re supposed to be a celebration of British music – and cool. And, whatever anyone thinks of Susan Boyle, she certainly isn’t cool.” Like there’s anything cooler than bringing your country recognition.
Ellen DeGeneres suggested sparks could fly between herself and the ornery Simon Cowell in the upcoming season of American Idol.
DeGeneres steps into Paula Abdul’s well-worn and popular shoes as judge on the show. She said of America’s star judge, Cowell: “We both like each other and accept one another. At the same time I think he’s mean and I think he says things in an insensitive way and I don’t think that’s the way to get a point across. I’ve called him on it to his face. I’ll do the same thing to him [on Idol].”
Ellen whetted viewer’s appetites with the coments that appeared in The Wall Street Journal. She
spoke of preparing for the show’s ninth season. “I’m starting to criticise everyone I see, no matter what. I’m like, you thought that was a good outfit to wear?”
American Idol kicks off next Tuesday but DeGeneres will not be seen for a couple more weeks after some guest judge appearances.
It seems Rage Against the Machine has started a campaign against Simon Cowell’s minions who dominate the English charts. The rockers are urging people to download their song, “Killing in the name of”, in order to defeat all of the X Factor puppies and their wimpy Christmas song. This is what a Facebook group who supports Rage Against the Machine’s battle declared: “Fed up of Simon Cowell’s latest karaoke act being Christmas No 1? Me too… So who’s up for a mass-purchase of the track Killing In The Name as a protest to the X Factor monotony?” Well, well, looks like somebody finally saw through Simon Cowell’s veil of commercial success. Maybe Rage Against the Machine will start a new era here… the epicness grows bigger and bigger!
Simon Cowell has reportedly picked Miley Cyrus’s single The Climb as the X Factor winner’s track.
The 50-year-old judge and mentor is said to have gone for the Disney star’s song as he is aiming the single at the teenage market.
It is claimed that he is sure Joe McElderry, 18, will win the show.
According to UK newspaper The Sun, he said to friends: “I think Joe will win. More women and girls will vote for him than anyone else.”
All four of the final contestants on the show – Olly Murs, Danyl Johnson, Stacey Solomon and Joe – have all performed their own version of the hit single at rehearsals.
It seems success always comes with a price, doesn’t it? After taking the US by storm with her new album, Susan Boyle had another breakdown when she was presented with a quilt made by people from 28 different countries at a café in New York. Apparently Susan Boyle started sucking on her thumb and then sobbing, but snapped out of that state and afterwards started dancing. However, her spokesman assured that nothing is out of the ordinary: “She was just overjoyed and extremely touched with the reception she had had from everyone in America.” Susan Boyle probably just needs a bit of practice for the fame and glory and mental illness that comes with them… where is Simon Cowell when you need him?
Well, it seems Dick Dastardly is still up to his devious deeds… or no, wait, it’s Simon Cowell who’s doing the deeds. After leaving obscurity and traveling to the center of the spotlight on a bumpy road that included a nervous breakdown, Susan Boyle has inspired Simon Cowell to make a movie about her tumultuous road to success. The movie will be entitled “I dreamed a dream: The Susan Boyle story” and it’s going to be aired in December. Well, it didn’t take him long to get it all produced… Simon Cowell really does work fast, doesn’t he? So this is where you get after finishing the college known as “Britain’s Got Talent”.
Media Mogul Simon Cowell has published a letter to himself as his 50th birthday approaches.
Simon Cowell has written an introspective letter to his younger self, which has been published in British newspaper the Daily Mail.
The star is brutally honest as he looks back on his career, which hit the skids in the 1990s, when he became bankrupt.
The 49-year-old wrote: “In the end, you cannot get rid of the house or the stupid white Porsche quick enough.
“You have hit rock bottom and it is, in a strange way, a huge relief. Yet the funny thing is, what you don’t know, Simon, is that you will never again feel so carefree in your entire life.”
He adds: “You have made a lot of money by listening to what your heart and your head are saying. It took you years, but you got there in the end.”
Cowell ends by telling his younger self to be careful about what he buys.
He wrote: “What would you tell your younger self about all this? It sounds a bit boring, but it is very important: only buy what you can afford. Simple as that. Carrying a debt is a much bigger burden than having nothing.”
Britain’s Got Talent star Susan Boyle is feeling confident about her trip to the US.
The 48-year-old is set to perform on the season finale of America’s Got Talent.
Boyle’s brother Gerry said: “She is in a great place right now and very confident about her career at this point, as her new album apparently sounds excellent.”
X Factor judge Simon Cowell has also given Boyle a boost of confidence.
Gerry added: “Simon Cowell is going to meet with her in America and he has assured us that he will do everything he can to protect Susan and to promote her in the correct fashion. I know Simon has a surly reputation but I think he is a very trust-worthy person who has my sister’s best interests at heart.”
Big name TV stars Simon Cowell and Piers Morgan are not worth the money they are paid, according to more than nine in 10 people polled in the UK.
Eighty percent of 2000 people polled think that television’s bright lights need their salaries slashed.
Nine percent of those polled thought Cowell, of Britain’s Got Talent and X Factor, and Big Brother judge Davina McCall, deserved their salaries. That figure dropped to a mere six percent in the case of Piers Morgan, also of BGT.
The BBC, meanwhile, has drawn criticism for refusing to release details of the individual salaries it pays to talent. The poll found 82 percent believe the pay of the BBC’s stars should be made public, with 76 percent believing a cap should apply to what the public corporation pays celebs.
A BBC spokesperson said: “We remain sensitive to the public’s view that we should not pay more than is necessary and we are committed to even greater transparency and accountability to Licence Fee payers. We have already begun to reduce the amount we pay top stars and in future we will disclose the total amount we spend on talent each year while maintaining appropriate confidentiality.”
Kate Moss and pal Beth Ditto impressed music boss Simon Cowell by performing an impromptu duet, it has been claimed.
Kate, 35, attended the launch of Beth’s plus-size clothing range for Evans at London club Sketch.
The pals then got up and performed a duet on karaoke game Singstar in the area’s VIP section.
An onlooker said: “Kate and Beth spotted Singstar, grabbed the mics and sung Space Oddity by David Bowie. They were both really going for it.
“The funniest thing was at the end of the song when it flashed up on the screen who had hit more of the right notes, it turned out Kate had done better than Beth!
“Everyone was clapping and cheering her and she was loving it.”
X Factor judge Simon Cowell, 49, and Topshop and Evans boss Sir Philip Green, 57, were watching the performance from the back of the room.
The source added: “Simon and Sir Philip were entranced by Beth and Kate singing and couldn’t stop smiling and laughing to themselves.
“Afterwards, Kate went over to speak to them and Simon congratulated her on her performance.”
X Factor judge Simon Cowell has reportedly treated fellow judges Cheryl Cole and Louis Walsh to a day at Wimbledon – but not fourth judge Dannii Minogue.
Simon, 49, reportedly asked for tickets for himself and pals Cheryl, 26, and Louis, 56 – however there was no mention of Dannii, 37.
A source close to Simon said: “He was really upset having missed the first day at Wimbledon. He’s a keen tennis fan and was eager to see the matches.
“He asked if he could replace his centre court tickets for Friday and said that he would also like to bring along Cheryl and Louis – but there was no mention of Dannii.
“There may be a good reason for this, as she might be busy, but it seems quite odd that she was left out.”
It is also claimed Cheryl is being paid three times more than Dannii for their judging job on the show and Cheryl will receive a whopping £1.2million.
Simon Cowell is holding talks for a film remake of Saturday Night Fever, according to reports.
The 49-year-old music boss is said to be negotiating a deal with film producer Robert Stigwood.
Stigwood owns the rights to the screenplay after he saw an article in a US magazine about teenagers at a dancing competition and created the idea for the story of the 1977 hit film.
It is claimed High School Musical star Zac Efron is being lined up for the main role in the film. Music producer Timbaland has reportedly been approached to revamp the movie’s soundtrack.
A source said: “Simon has been looking into buying the rights for years and opened discussions with Robert about the remake.
“The charm offensive has been in full swing, and they made a breakthrough over the last couple of weeks.
“Robert was keen to get some assurances the original wouldn’t be completely butchered before he agreed to the deal. Simon has been drawing up a list of people he wants to get involved.
“When that meets Robert’s expectations, the contracts will be signed.”
Simon Cowell has admitted Susan Boyle made him look “stupid” and has said sorry for the way he treated her at first.
The judge made the apology as Susan sailed into the final of Britain’s Got Talent.
She reduced judge Amanda Holden to tears with her rendition of Memory and got the most public votes in the first live semi-final of the talent contest.
She is now one step closer to her dream of performing in front of the Queen.
Giving her a standing ovation after her performance, Cowell said: “Susan, you are one special lady I have to say, you really are. And you know what, I just want to apologise because of the way we treated you before you sang the first time, you have made me and everyone else look very stupid and I’m very happy for you, very proud of you.”
Cowell was referring to all of the judges’ negative reaction to Susan when she first appeared in the heats.
When her name was announced as the first finalist, Susan looked stunned before wondering off the stage in the wrong direction and having to be called back.
She then did a little dance and said to judge Piers Morgan: “This one’s for you Piers, Piersy baby!”
Susan admitted that the show has given her a chance to prove herself to the world.
She said: “All my life I’ve always striven to prove myself, that I can be accepted, that I’m not the worthless person that people think I am, that I do have something to offer.”
American Idol judge Simon Cowell told how he was “there for” ex-girlfriend Terri Seymour after a 200-pound woman tried to strangle her – and says he “always will be”.
The sharp-tongued star told how Terri called him following the “frenzied attack” by a “crazy girl” at the Idol final in LA.
In an interview with Idol host Ryan Seacrest’s KIIS FM radio show, Cowell said: “It was literally a frenzied attack – nearly strangled. She called me….
“It was just some crazy girl. It was bad. I really, really felt sorry for her.”
He added: “I was there for her, Ryan. That’s the important thing. Always will be.”
Cowell joked the fan must have been jealous of his relationship with showbiz reporter Terri, whom he has remained close to, despite their split.
He said: “Naturally I assumed it was somebody who was jealous.”
Cowell also gave his verdict on fellow judge Cara DioGuardi’s bikini stunt during the final.
Asked what he thought when saucy Cara flashed the flesh, he said: “Good body – for her age.
