Simon Cowell Shares His Regrets About Insulting ‘American Idol’ Contestants: “I’m Sorry”
Simon Cowell Apologizes for Early Critiques on American Idol
Simon Cowell, the renowned music impresario and judge of American Idol, has publicly expressed regret for his harsh comments during the show’s early seasons, admitting he “was being a dick” to contestants.
In a recent interview with The New York Times, Cowell reflected on his journey from a blunt judge to a more empathetic mentor. He acknowledged that he is “not proud” of how he insulted competitors during the show’s inaugural years, which began airing on Fox in 2002.
As the competition unfolded, Cowell stated that he initially adopted a tough approach, driven by a fear that the show would be canceled if the talent pool did not meet expectations. “When I used to do auditions, someone would come in and they can’t sing, we would say after 10 seconds, ‘You can’t sing,’ not, ‘You’re going to be brilliant,’” he explained, noting that his straightforwardness was exacerbated by editing choices.
“My frustration was palpable because I thought if we don’t find someone good, they’re not going to recommission us,” he added.
The interview’s host, Lulu Garcia-Navarro, raised the issue of the distinction between blunt feedback and humiliation, referencing various YouTube compilations that feature Cowell’s critiques, including jabs at contestants’ weight and their performances. Cowell visibly reacted, stating, “Do we have to go through this?”
He continued, “I mean, I did realize I’ve probably gone too far.” Cowell admitted that he has never enjoyed audition days, finding them “long and boring.” He lamented that negative comments often overshadowed positive feedback in media portrayals.
“Just being a dick … I’m not proud of it,” Cowell conceded, adding, “I never look at this stuff online. I’m not someone who particularly wants to see myself on camera.”
Despite his misgivings about his past behavior, Cowell recognized that the memorable clips contributed to the show’s global popularity. This is not the first time he has shown remorse for his judging style. In 2012, he described himself as “appalled” by his past treatments, particularly towards more vulnerable contestants.
Cowell spoke with The New York Times to promote his upcoming Netflix series, Simon Cowell: The Next Act, set to launch on December 10.
