Simon Cowell

[Bette Davis 0]

AMERICAN IDOL judge SIMON COWELL is threatening to leave his multi-million dollar fortune to his pet dogs. The animal-loving music mogul, 48, has a large family as well as a long-term partner, Terri Seymour. But he is reluctant to pass his estimated $200 million (GBP100 million) on to any human loved ones. He says, "I'll probably leave the lot to the animals. There'll be some very rich poodles in Beverly Hills." Cowell - who fought back from bankruptcy in the 1980s to become one of Britain's wealthiest men - adds, "If I had made money when I was 21, I'd probably be dead by now. I wouldn't have made 22. I would have gone crazy."

 

contactmusic.com

[NYCat 1]

Simon on Idol Auditions: Fun to Watch, Torture to Do

 

With the writers’ strike putting many of our favorite scripted shows on pause, American Idol’s return to the airwaves Tuesday (8 p.m. ETS on Fox) couldn’t come at a better time. We caught up with Idol’s crankiest judge — yes, Simon Cowell — who talked about the torture of auditioning all those wannabes, why some Idols are winning Grammys while others are getting dropped from their labels and what’s up with Randy and Paula’s album.

 

Are you tired of sitting though auditions after so many years?

Is it fun doing it? No. It’s becoming increasingly like torture but you have to give most of the people at least three or four minutes… What’s amazing, even after seven seasons — and we’ve had some shockingly bad people this year — is how much they still believe they’re right and I’m wrong. They got more argumentative with me this year and all I’m trying to do is help them. As fun as it is for me to watch, it’s torture to do it.

 

While several Idol vets are up for Grammys, Ruben Studdard and Taylor Hicks were recently dropped from their record labels. What do you make of that?

I’ve run a record label for 25 years and the one thing I know about this business is that it’s horribly unpredictable. Ruben certainly would have been one of the ones you would have backed, [and expected] to be on his third or fourth album now, and it just didn’t work out. There’s no scientific or logical way of explaining why that happened. But we’re a reality show and what happens at the end is also a reality.

 

Fantasia’s brother auditioned this time around — does he have his sister’s talent?

He hasn’t. He was terrible. Dreadful. He can’t sing… I remember thinking, “Oh great, Fantasia’s brother’s come in,” and it was all fantastic until he started singing. Then I think we disputed the fact that he really was Fantasia’s brother because he doesn’t have Fantasia’s talent.

 

What’s your opinion of Jordan and Blake’s albums in light of the disappointing sales?

Well, naturally disappointed they didn’t sell more copies or that either artist hasn’t caught on fire — that’s what you want. You want a Carrie [underwood] or a Daughtry or a Kelly Clarkson where they’re competing with the Mariahs and everybody else. It didn’t happen. Am I surprised? Not particularly… You literally have to give the public what they want and the public decided his year it wasn’t necessarily what they wanted. So we have to try to do better this year and I’m confident we will.

 

We heard about Randy’s new album. Did he manage to find you a spot on it?

I think you know more about it than I do. I think he’s made a record with Paula, which should be interesting… I haven’t been asked to be on the album and if I was asked, I definitely wouldn’t go on it, but good luck to him.

[ElleDriver 0]

Simon: "Paula's Video Ruined My Evening!"

 

 

Last week on American Idol, the hit show took a brief break to present the TV debut of Paula Abdul's new video for her single, "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow." And, even before it aired, Paula's curmudgeonly co-host Simon Cowell tells OK!, "I was expecting a nightmare!"

 

Unfortunately for the acid-tongued judge, he was left with nothing nasty to say after watching the clip. "It was actually quite good!" he confessed to OK! at the 16th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation dinner to celebrate the Academy Awards, where Simon and gal pal Terri Seymour joined OK!'s Founder and owner, Richard Desmond, at his table for the celebration. "I was disappointed... I kind of ruined my evening!"

 

What did ruin Simon's week, however, were the generally lackluster performances during the first week of the Idol semifinals. "I think they were better in the auditions," he explained to OK!. "The songs that they’d chosen were a bit boring. I don’t think that we’ve heard the best of them yet."

 

As for Paula and Randy Jackon's argument that Simon just didn't know a number of the songs chosen for the '60s-themed week, the feisty Brit fights back, "There are good and bad '60s songs, but they chose some of the worst songs that I have ever heard in my entire life," he professed. "It’s like some of them deliberately chose some of the worst songs that they could find!"

 

Well, hopefully the semifinalists will do better this week. Tune in Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to find out.

[ElleDriver 0]

Abdul: 'Cowell is not gay'

 

 

Singer-turned-television presenter Paula Abdul has slammed critics for branding music mogul Simon Cowell gay - claiming he is just "comfortable in his own skin".

 

Despite dating longtime girlfriend Terri Seymour, Cowell is still scrutinised by the media about his sexuality - much to Abdul's disgust.

 

The Straight Up singer is sick of the constant rumours and claims even to fancy the acid-tongued judge herself.

 

She tells Star magazine, "People say that all the time but no, he's not! His brother always jokes and says that he's gay but Simon has fun with it now. He's very comfortable in his skin.

 

"He's been doing more push-ups lately. There's no excuse for him to dress that way."

[NYCat 1]

Simon Cowell Compares Ryan Seacrest to a "Chihuahua"

 

Simon Cowell continued his war of words against American Idol host Ryan Seacrest on yesterday's Live With Regis & Kelly.

 

"What he needs to understand is that on [idol], no one actually wants to listen to him, other than saying, 'We'll be back after the break' or 'Seacrest out,'" Cowell sniped.

 

"I say this to him all the time, [the judges] are the ones who are paid to have an opinion. You just bring the artists on and off."

 

Cowell, who has gotten Botox, continued, "You know when you go to your auntie's and the little chihuahua gets on your leg because it thinks it's something else," Cowell said. "That's my relationship with Ryan."

 

Making a swatting gesture, Cowell added, "It's like — off!"

 

Tensions between Seacrest and Cowell heated up last year when Cowell addressed Seacrest as "sweetheart."

 

"Don't call me sweetheart," Seacrest shot back. "I don't want that kind of relationship."

[Lea 0]

Simon Cowell explains why he’ll never marry - and the answer is not Ryan Seacrest

 

Simon Cowell recently explained why he and his longtime girlfriend, entertainment journalist Terri Seymour, will never get married. And it’s not because of his bromance with hyperactive American Idol co-star Ryan Seacrest. It’s because he’s afraid of being cleaned out like Paul McCartney.

X-Factor boss Simon Cowell has revealed the real reason he will never marry girlfriend Terri Seymour - because he fears she will “do a Heather Mills on him” and leave him broke.

 

The music mogul said his partner of five years was “great” but admitted the concept of marriage in the entertainment industry was a scary and unrealistic one.

 

“I don’t believe in marriage, certainly not in this business,” the 48-year-old told the Mirror.

 

“The truth is that you get married and in a year or two they clean you out! It’s just not going to work.

 

“I know a lot of people going through divorces now and once the lawyers get involved it starts to get nasty.”

[From The Daily Mail]

 

I’m curious…just how much is Simon worth? I know he’s had a successful career managing some pop stars in the UK and creating some shows, but here in the states, his success outside of “Idol” has been limited. As for his concerns about being taken to the cleaners, Terri is no Heather Mills, she has her own successful career and seems to have her own identity and interests outside of the relationship.

 

In another interesting part of this interview, Simon says that if he were Amy Winehouse’s manager, he would have insisted that the singer enter rehab a lot sooner than she did.

And Cowell left his nicest comments for struggling Amy Winehouse, who he described as “an amazing talent”.

 

“Given the chance I’d take her on, but I don’t think she’d work with me,” he said.

 

“If I had been managing her I would have got her into rehab from day one. Then maybe none of this nonsense would have happened.”

I guess hindsight is 20/20, isn’t it?

 

Note by Celebitchy: According to Wikipedia, Cowell is worth upwards of $200 million. He just bought a mansion that cost $80 million, so I guess we know where his money is going. He also revealed that he turned down a $2 million offer to be the face of erectile dysfunction drug Viagra. That’s chump change to him.

 

http://www.celebitchy.com/

[ElleDriver 0]

Paramount developing tenor's tale

Simon Cowell to produce Paul Potts film

By MICHAEL FLEMING

 

 

Paramount Pictures will develop a feature film based on the unlikely overnight success story of Paul Potts, the wannabe tenor who sold cell phones until he won ITV's "Britain's Got Talent" in 2007.

 

Simon Cowell, who created the show and as a judge was stunned by Potts' prowess, will produce the film with Relevant Entertainment's Michael Menchel and Steve Whitney.

 

Studio acquired life rights from Potts, who quickly recorded a debut album, "One Chance," that sold 3 million copies. He also is headlining 65 concert dates in 13 countries.

 

Known for his biting criticisms on "American Idol" and the other shows he produces through his U.K.-based production company SyCo, Cowell was sharpening his barbs when the shy Potts took the stage and announced his intention to sing opera.

 

"That particular day was one of the worst, the acts were just terrible, we were fed up and on comes this guy with a funny little suit and bad teeth who looked very nervous," Cowell told Daily Variety. "I can remember looking at the other judges, with that 'here we go again' feeling. We had 2,000 people in the audience, and I'll never forget how much the room changed when he began singing."

More than one option

 

Menchel was shown Potts' performances via YouTube clips furnished by his daughters, and he called Cowell to suggest a movie. Paramount execs needed only to watch the YouTube clips to endorse the concept.

 

"Most of these calls result in absolutely nothing, but this company got that it's another 'Billy Elliot,' a story anyone in the world can understand," Cowell said. "This was his last chance, and he literally decided to enter based on the toss of a coin. And despite his success off the back of the show, the only difference I see in him is that he got his teeth fixed."

[ElleDriver 0]

Simon Cowell Donates $162,000 to Girl With Cancer

US WEEKLY

Tuesday March 18, 2008

 

 

Simon Cowell may not be so mean after all.

 

The American Idol judge, 48, gave the family of a cancer-stricken 3-year-old $162,000 to pay off their mortgage, he announced on Oprah Winfrey’s Big Give show on Monday.

 

The family drives more than 100 miles from their Minnesota home every day so their daughter, Madelaine, can receive treatments.

 

“It’s a very basic story of a normal family whose daughter got very ill, and they had some financial problems which was relatively easy for me to sort out,” Cowell explained to Extra.

 

On the show, he told Winfrey that he “credits her” for teaching him to be a do-gooder.

 

Said Cowell, “I never knew that doing good could feel so good.”

[ElleDriver 0]

Simon Cowell: ' Leona Is A Great Role Model'

 

 

 

Music mogul Simon Cowell has dubbed his protégée Leona Lewis a "great role model" for the example she is setting for young people. The music producer first discovered Lewis when she was a contestant on British TV talent contest The X-Factor in 2006, and has since shot to global stardom with her debut single Bleeding Love - which has been number one in more than 20 countries.

 

Lewis' huge success is reportedly set to earn her millions more than her current $9 million, five-album deal with Sony BMG, Simon Cowell's Syco Records and Clive Davis' J Records. Reports now suggest Davis is on the verge of tearing up their old contract and offering the 22-year-old a $100 million record deal to keep her signed to the labels. The deal is expected to cover all her music releases and live shows around the globe.

 

However, Cowell insists she hasn't let the fame and fortune go to her head, saying, "Leona has got her feet firmly on the ground and isn't getting carried away by all of this. She takes nothing for granted. She has an incredible future ahead - but I only want her to do it if she's happy and enjoying herself."

 

"Leona is a great role model for young people on both sides of the Atlantic. She is a lovely person and there is no chance of her going of the rails."/WENN

[sanlee 49]

Cowell Denies Splitting From Girlfriend

 

 

British music mogul SIMON COWELL has denied he has split from his model girlfriend TERRI SEYMOUR.

 

The American Idol judge was reported to have broken off his five-year romance with the 33-year-old beauty amid claims the star's heavy work load work had put a strain on the relationship.

 

The couple was also at the centre of rumours that Cowell's refusal to settle down and start a family had caused a rift between the pair.

 

But Cowell's representative Max Clifford insists their relationship is still going strong.

 

He says, "I've spoken to Simon about this and he and Terri are absolutely fine. They're as happy as they've always been."

 

Source: contactmusic

[hedda_louella 1]

He says, "I've spoken to Simon about this and he and Terri are absolutely fine. They're as happy as they've always been."

Which is decidedly unhappy. He's wanted out from under his beard for a while now. Not that he wouldn't pick up another one, but he's been trying to get rid of Terry Seymour for a couple of years. She must have something on him if it's taking this long.

[galaxygirl 0]

Maybe him and Ryan can finally get that room to work all that tension out

[Antianeirai 0]

She is not gonna let him go, He has already publicly humiliated her and she didn't even say peep. She isn't a bad looking woman, she should be able to do better

[sanlee 49]

Simon Cowell's Family Plans

 

Simon Cowell is considering starting a family with girlfriend Terri Seymour.

 

The music mogul - who has always ruled out the possibility of having children - has hinted he may be ready to become a father and has even started picking out names.

 

Simon's friend, PR guru Max Clifford, said: "I had a chat with Simon the other day and he said he was going to call his first son Max, after me. It's very flattering."

 

However, aware of Cowell's previous reluctance to have children, Max quipped: "I'll probably have to wait until I'm 100 to see if Simon will keep his promise. It's very kind of him, though."

 

British reality TV star Kerry Katona recently named her newborn son Maxwell after Max - who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer.

 

Simon, 46, has always said he would never have children because he is too committed to his work.

 

He said: "There are some things that you have to sacrifice. You can't have everything.

 

"My shows, my work, are my babies. I put the same amount of care and attention into them as you would a child."

 

Source: people.monstersandcritics.com

[GimmeSumSugar 0]

Simon Cowell's Family Plans

 

Simon Cowell is considering starting a family with girlfriend Terri Seymour.

 

The music mogul - who has always ruled out the possibility of having children - has hinted he may be ready to become a father and has even started picking out names.

 

Simon's friend, PR guru Max Clifford, said: "I had a chat with Simon the other day and he said he was going to call his first son Max, after me. It's very flattering."

 

However, aware of Cowell's previous reluctance to have children, Max quipped: "I'll probably have to wait until I'm 100 to see if Simon will keep his promise. It's very kind of him, though."

 

British reality TV star Kerry Katona recently named her newborn son Maxwell after Max - who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer.

 

Simon, 46, has always said he would never have children because he is too committed to his work.

 

He said: "There are some things that you have to sacrifice. You can't have everything.

 

"My shows, my work, are my babies. I put the same amount of care and attention into them as you would a child."

 

Source: people.monstersandcritics.com

 

Yeah, I bet that's not all you chatted about.

 

It's worth noting Simon's 'friend' is also his PR rep. He's Kerry's too. That's how these twits stay in the faux news. He's good at his job.

Edited April 24, 2008 by GimmeSumSugar

[sanlee 49]

Simon Cowell's First Kiss Speaks Out

 

Simon Cowell's first ever kiss has spoken out about their childhood relationship.

 

Tara McDonald-Smith surprised the reality star at an American Idol Q&A session on Wednesday.

 

Cowell recognised the voice of McDonald-Smith, 46, from California and admitted that he had kissed her when he was aged nine.

 

Describing the event, she told People: "He'd taken me to the bottom of his garden. It was very cute and it was very memorable. We were just kids.

 

"We didn't know what we were doing! He was pretty forthcoming and said what he thought. He was not too different than he is today.

 

"I'd love to meet up with him. I seriously would. We were good friends and I think it would be great fun."

 

When asked who initiated the kiss, she said that she couldn't remember, commenting: "Really, I can't. In those days there was like three channels on the television, there were no computers.

 

"We used to play spin the bottle and I got him a lot of the time. It was all good."

 

 

Source: digitalspy.co.uk

[sanlee 49]

Cowell’s Ego Not An Act

 

 

A British TV presenter has branded SIMON COWELL self-obsessed, insisting his vanity is genuine and not an act for the TV cameras.

 

Stephen Mulhern - who presents Britain’s Got More Talent, a spin-off of Cowell’s Britain’s Got Talent series - has laid bare his behind-the-scenes secrets, insisting the 48-year-old’s conceit continues even after the cameras are switch off.

 

He says, "Simon’s first port of call is his portable mirror that he takes with him all the time.

 

"He has his own make-up artist, Julia, who travels with him wherever he goes.

No one else can get his orange tint right."

 

Mulhern also confirmed there is a "genuine animosity" between Cowell and costar Piers Morgan, saying, "I worry that it could come to fisticuffs."

 

Source: pr-inside

[boots 0]

He says, "I've spoken to Simon about this and he and Terri are absolutely fine. They're as happy as they've always been."

Which is decidedly unhappy. He's wanted out from under his beard for a while now. Not that he wouldn't pick up another one, but he's been trying to get rid of Terry Seymour for a couple of years. She must have something on him if it's taking this long.

 

Is Simon Bi or Gay?

[GimmeSumSugar 0]

 

He says, "I've spoken to Simon about this and he and Terri are absolutely fine. They're as happy as they've always been."

Which is decidedly unhappy. He's wanted out from under his beard for a while now. Not that he wouldn't pick up another one, but he's been trying to get rid of Terry Seymour for a couple of years. She must have something on him if it's taking this long.

 

Is Simon Bi or Gay?

 

 

It's irrelevant at this point. He's just a massive queen, dedicated to Simon Cowell.

[hedda_louella 1]

 

He says, "I've spoken to Simon about this and he and Terri are absolutely fine. They're as happy as they've always been."

Which is decidedly unhappy. He's wanted out from under his beard for a while now. Not that he wouldn't pick up another one, but he's been trying to get rid of Terry Seymour for a couple of years. She must have something on him if it's taking this long.

 

Is Simon Bi or Gay?

 

Gay.

[ElleDriver 0]

TV Guide: Oprah Earns $385 Million Per Year

Monday August 4, 2008

 

 

Oprah Winfrey earns a whopping $385 million a year.

 

Simon Cowell banks $50 million.

 

David Letterman? $32 million!

 

They're among the stars who appear in TV Guide's annual star salary survey, based on information from TV industry insiders and published sources.

 

Who else brings in the big bucks?

 

According to the magazine, newlywed Charlie Sheen is the highest-paid comedy star on primetime television, with $825,000 per episode.

 

CSI's William Peterson — who is leaving the show this upcoming season — is the highest-paid actor in a prime-time drama, earning $600,000 per episode.

 

With $400,000 an episode, Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay is the highest-paid actress in a drama. Kyra Sedgwick takes home $275,000 per episode of TNT's The Closer, making her top- earning actress on a cable network drama.

 

Some stars make serious money without appearing on TV at all.

 

Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane, who supplies the voice of lead character Peter Griffin, just signed a deal with Fox that will net him $100 million through 2012.

 

And The Simpsons cast — Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith and Hank Azaria — each earn $400,000 per episode.

 

For the complete list of star salaries, pick up the new issue of TV Guide, out August 7.

[ElleDriver 0]

Simon Cowell Swears Off Women After Break-Up

 

 

Don't expect to see Simon Cowell on Match.com anytime soon.

 

The snarky small-screen star – who recently announced his split from girlfriend-of-six-years Terri Seymour – has told Britain's Daily Mirror he is giving up girls.

 

"Don't worry about me," he said. "I don't need a lonely hearts ad. I'm off women now."

 

But the American Idol judge – who said Seymour recently broke things off over the phone – insisted that they remain pals.

 

"Everything's fine between me and Terri," he said. "I've always been very close to all my ex-girlfriends. We've never fallen out – they're like my best friends."

[l1zz1e 0]

My son and I were watching tv when we heard of the breakup. I said, "I thought he was gay?" and my son said "he's not gay, he's British". It cracked me up and he swears he didn't mean it the way it sounded, lol.

[Hoyaheel 1,874]

My son and I were watching tv when we heard of the breakup. I said, "I thought he was gay?" and my son said "he's not gay, he's British". It cracked me up and he swears he didn't mean it the way it sounded, lol.

Oh c'mon--who amongst us has NOT played the game "Gay or British"? (occasionally placing someone in the "both" category

[ElleDriver 0]

Scoop: Cowell gives his ex a $9 million parting gift

By Courtney Hazlett

The Scoop

 

 

Both Simon Cowell and Terri Seymour’s camps have been referring to their recent split as amicable, and well, how could it not be (at least for Seymour) when a $9 million goodbye gift is involved?

 

Cowell is said to have given Seymour, who he dated for six years, $5 million cash and another $4.6 to buy a Beverly Hills home just before calling it quits, reports Life & Style.

 

“Terri phoned Simon about six weeks ago and finished it,” his rep told Life & Style, referring to the breakup. “Simon thinks the world of Terri, and that isn’t going to change. He also understands her reason for ending it.”

 

According to the magazine, Seymour wanted to marry and start a family, whereas Cowell recently said, “I don’t want to marry anyone, because whoever marries me will end up hating me.”

 

As for the pile of money Seymour reportedly received: a rep for Cowell says, “this isn’t the kind of thing he usually comments about.”