Simon Cowell

Simon Cowell is a name most Americans are familiar with. Simon was born in Brighton, England on October 7, 1959. He is the executive producer and star of the United Kingdom show The X Factor. He has been an executive producer on America’s Got Talent, produces Britain’s Got Talent, and of course, is a judge on American Idol. Simon is well known for his often blunt criticisms about the singing abilities of contestants, however he sure has an eye for talent. Simon first started American Idol with a lot of hate towards him from viewers and contestants because of his criticism. As the show progressed, people started to see that his opinion was valuable. In 2002 he set up a record label Syco Music which later became part of Columbia Records and Sony BMG Music Entertainment. Artist Leona Lewis is released under Syco Records and Simon even co-wrote Lewis’s song Footprints in the Sand, which was released in 2008. In 2003, Simon published an autobiography I Don’t Mean to be Rude, but… This book gives information on Simon’s life, backstage gossip, and tips on how to be successful.

In 2006, Simon renewed his contract with American Idol with a pay of $40 million per season, for 5 years. That makes this season, season nine, Simon’s last year judging on American Idol. "I want to leave 'Idol' this year bigger and better than it was in the past," Cowell said, but regardless, the web was buzzing with fan reactions. Click here, take this poll, and see the results! This news is upsetting to Simon fans, and the results of this poll prove it. Many think that he makes the show, and I have to agree. After nine seasons as a judge on American Idol, he is definitely one of the most important members of the Idol family. Now the question is who will replace Simon Cowell? Well, some say that Simon is simply irreplaceable and the American Idol will not survive the loss of him. Some of the possible candidates for the replacement of Simon are Quincy Jones, Sean Combs, Russell Simmons, Simon Fuller, and Kenneth Edmonds. Whoever it may be, Simon will be hard to live up to. We will have to tune in to the tenth season to see if American Idol can survive without Simon Cowell.

Simon Cowell is notoriously known for his pompous self and rude criticisms. Yes, he could take some advice on using constructive criticism, but these characteristics make him thee “Simon Cowell.” People either love him or hate him, it is as simple as that. However, disregarding his bluntness, he knows what he is talking about. Like the title of his book states, he doesn’t mean to be rude, but he tells it like it is, and he certainly has a reputation for it. He continues to do great things in and for the music industry. Even though Simon Cowell will no longer be America's favorite judge on American Idol, he will always remain a valuable part to American Idol, one that fans like myself, have come to love and cannot get enough of.