Simon Cowell is an English artist-and-repertoire ("A&R") executive and television personality/producer, best known as a judge on such TV shows as Pop Idol, The X Factor, American Idol, America's Got Talent, and Britain's Got Talent. He is also the owner of the television production and music publishing house Syco.Cowell is notorious for his unsparingly blunt and often controversial criticisms, insults, and wisecracks about contestants and their singing abilities, or lack thereof. He is often parodied in pop culture. He is known for combining activities in the television and music industries, having promoted singles and records for various artists, including television personalities.Cowell has been the producer and the creative force of many media, most notably Pop Idol and its international offspring. His success since the millennium has brought him worldwide fame and a greatly increased monetary fortune.
Dropped out of school at the age of 16.
Has 3 half-brothers, John, Michael and Tony Cowell , a half sister, former child actress June Cowell , a biological sister, Lindsay Elizabeth and a younger brother Nicholas Cowell.
He worked as a mail boy at EMI and eventually worked his way to become an A&R representative.
Says that the first time he gave a criticism was at age four when he looked at his mothers white fuzzy pillbox hat and remarked "Mum, you look like a poodle" [Source: His book "I Dont Mean to Be Rude, But..."]
During auditions for "The X Factor" , he made a bet with auditionee Paul Holt that he would pay him 50,000 if he got a #1 single. Holt was quickly signed by a record label - and backed by "The X Factor" judge Sharon Osbourne - to release "50 Grand for Christmas" in December 2004, which only charted at #35 in the UK.
His former girlfriend is Terri Seymour.
His sisters husband is the cousin of pop star Robbie Williams.
He has two nieces and a nephew: Tanyette Chantel (born October 18, 1981), Melissa Lee (born July 10, 1984), and Joshua Aaron (born April 15, 1986). All three of them have appeared in the audience during various episodes of "Pop Idol" Season 1.
His best friend is his London neighbor Jacqueline St. Claire.
During an audition, a female participant told Simon and the other judges that she quit her job at a hair salon so she can pursue her dreams on "American Idol: The Search for a Superstar" ; when getting rejected, Simon had asked for the phone and called the owner of the workplace where the rejected contestant got her job back.
Made his screen debut in 1990, on the UK TV series "Sale of the Century" (1989/II) . His prize for winning: kitchen utensils.
In 2007, Forbes Magazine estimated his U.S. earnings at $45 million for the year.
His father Eric Cowell was a record company executive with EMI. He died at home in 1999 of a massive heart attack on the very day that Simon got his first Number One with a then-unknown band called Westlife who his dad had predicted would become big.
Allergic to lambs wool. Buys expensive cashmere jumpers.
Ranked #6 in the 2008 Telegraphs list "the 100 most powerful people in British culture".
In 2007, he earned an estimated $72 million in income from his various projects. $45 million from "American Idol: The Search for a Superstar" , $15 million from "Britains Got Talent" and "The X Factor" , and $12 million from his record label.
He is good friends with Emma Noble.
The Sunday Times List estimated his net worth at $196 million.
(May 10, 2010) Merited a place in Time magazines - The 100 Most Influential People in the World ("Artists" category) - with a tribute provided by Nick Cannon.
A TV commercial proposal was made to him by his agent who told him that he would be paid $1m for a days work (the good news). When Cowell asked about the bad news, he was informed that the commercial was for "Viagra". Cowell reneged (interview: "Piers Morgan Tonight" {(2011-04-05)} ).
Has said he finds Britney Spears to be fascinating and wants her to be a part of "The X Factor" .
Put up 50,000 bail money for pop impresario Jonathan King when he was arrested in 2001.
Stanley Kubrick was his neighbour growing up. He pestered Eric Cowell, Simons father, to sell his property to him.
A huge fan of Frank Sinatra.
Turned down the chance to manage Take That , which went on to become one of the major boy bands of the 1990s.
Has a neighbouring mansion, next to Elton John s, in Beverly Hills.
A dog lover.
A woman broke into his London home in 2011.
Susan Boyle s star-making audition was one of Cowells favourite moments on Britains Got Talent .
Has a waxwork figure in Madame Tussauds.
When living in Elstree as a boy, he rubbed shoulders with Roger Moore , Gregory Peck , Robert Mitchum , Bette Davis and Maureen OHara. He even sat on Davis knee while she learned her lines. Moore used to invite the Cowells to see the filming of "The Saint" .
Was once a waiter in Elton John s restaurant in London.
Before becoming famous, Cowell held down several brief jobs; quantity surveyor, a job at Tesco (he never made it past the interview), trainee law clerk, a runner, a waiter, a job in the EMI mailroom, and an estate agency where he had his worst job ever as a canvasser.
Got the UK No 1 of the new millennium with Westlife.
A big fan of Luther Vandross and Barry White.
Became a father for the 1st time at age 54 when his girlfriend Lauren Silverman gave birth to their son Eric Cowell on February 14, 2014.
In 1985 he co-founded Fanfare Records.
Simons father was of mostly Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry (Simons paternal grandmother was born in Poland). The rest of Simons ancestry is English, and distant Scottish.
Publicly supported the Conservative Party in the 2010 General Election, and wrote an article for "The Sun" endorsing David Cameron as Prime Minister.
Donated 90,000 to the charity Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) in 2013.
At the age of 30 he moved back with his parents after he lost everything he owned from various investments.
Friends with Melanie Brown.
Has a problem with clowns.
Is not planning to leave his son in his will because he wants his make it on his own [Jun 2017].
He was awarded the MBE in the 2005 Queens Birthday Honors List for his services to wildlife.
Sit in these auditions for three weeks and hear "I Believe I Can Fly",out of tune for the millionth time, YOU try and be nice.
She just listened to me burbling on. Then she called me back to tell,me. Awful.
I only play to win.
I have an absolute hatred of losing. Even losing at Monopoly as a kid. I,just want to beat the competition.
I will never borrow money again.
I read The Sun to see what people want.
Cruelty is good television.
[about money] If it could pour on me every day like a shower, I would,lie in it for an hour. I just love it.
Marriage is an outdated contract.
Work is my mistress.
Embrace the madness.
Talking to celebrities is too much effort. They all think the same.
"X-Factor" (2006) has become the underdog.
We have to find a star who is the equivalent of Manchester United.
My life is a night shift.
Many stars prefer their own company.
Come as who you are, not who you want to be.
Success rarely changes anyone. Rather it gives them the power to be what,they always were.
If you have the opportunity to get a part on a TV show, no matter how,small it seems, take it.
Most good songwriters are whores. They go where the money is.
Nothing is more demoralizing than a bad set of contestants. And nothing,is more invigorating than seeing a real talent emerge.
Never over-negotiate your initial salaries. If things work out,afterwards, the money will follow. Ask for too much at the beginning,and you may not get the job.
The music industry is a culture awash with sycophants and yes-men.
Be patient and wait for the right thing to come your way.
Sometimes there are performers that hook you from the first time you see,them.
The disco era was one of the best times for pop music - ever. It was an,era that encouraged fun, glamour and excess.
It would have been good if Dad could have been here to enjoy at least,some of my success.
Its an epidemic.
The difference with US contestants is they fight back.
Auditions are a very difficult, one-sided process.
America is a huge country with a wonderful tradition of superb singers.
America does glitzy events better than any other country.
As a record executive based in England, I was trained to think of,America as the ultimate market.
The people on the bottom rung look up to those at the top, and the ones,at the top invariably look down on those at the bottom.
[about the music business] The real sexy job in this business was to,work for a record label. This was a business you had to teach yourself,and if you were going to succeed, you had to take risks.
I hate office politics because its so boring.
Personality makes a massive difference.
I am a very good judge. We look for those with the greatest potential;,the singers and performers who could be molded and encouraged.
Freedom of the press is a good thing.
A bad singer who believes in himself has a different look in his eyes,from that of a bad singer who comes in to make a mockery of the,audition process. The latter has a funny little smile, or a weird kind,of bravado.
I am never just looking for a talent, but rather a talent with a head,start.
New artists need to be smart about their careers and take the path of,lesser resistance when first establishing their names.
I love anyone who can reinvent themselves. You can reinvent yourself not,just through image, but through great pop songs.
He is what pop music is all about.
Genius is strange.
Eye contact is a sign of confidence. Grovelling is an act of,desperation.
Food is fuel.
Entertainment careers are all about momentum and courage.
Many stars fall from their perch so rapidly they lose their dignity,along with their reputation.
Pop culture distorts fame and breeds a certain sense of entitlement.
Pop music is a youth market, and a business.
Being #1 in the charts used to mean something. The pop charts have lost,the plot that made them so exciting to watch.
Barbra Streisand keeps her distance, is a little cooler, but no less,respected.
A recording artist is probably the best job anyone could hope to have.
The business is unpredictable and ruthless, but the rewards are huge.
And it could be you, if you can sing.
When rubbish stories are printed by the press, the public begins to,believe them and the damage is done.
People need to be ruthless to make it to the very top.
A good voice and a personality to match are hard to find.
Pop was what I liked and understood. Pop for me would always be the,future.
TV is the most important factor in selling pop music.
A good manager is an absolute necessity.
I work out three or four times a week, I have Botox, take tons of,vitamins and vitamin infusions - if you believe that these things work,you will feel better.
[2011] Having nothing is better than being in debt.
Money brings you security and choice. You can make decisions in a different way if you have a lot of money. But when you have nothing, you have a naivety, and a more fearless attitude because you have nothing to lose.
People confuse ego, lust, insecurity with true love.
Shave off your beard and wear a dress. You would be a great female impersonator.
My proudest achievement has been the success of the shows and artists I have been involved with, because they were made in Britain. .
