- Simon Cowell has publicly apologized for his harsh critiques during his time as a judge on American Idol from 2002 to 2010.
- The TV personality admitted he was “being a dick” and that his insults “probably went too far.”
- Cowell explained his bluntness came from a desire to find genuine stars but acknowledges his on-screen persona has changed over time.
- The reflection comes as he prepares to launch a new show on Netflix to find the next global boyband.
A Look Back at a Sharper Tongue
Simon Cowell, the famously harsh judge from the original panel of American Idol, is expressing remorse for his past behavior. In a recent interview, the music mogul reflected on his nine-season run on the iconic singing competition, offering an apology for insults he now believes went “too far.”
“I’m sorry,” Cowell stated, clarifying he was apologizing for “being a dick.” He explained that his brutally honest feedback, which became his signature trait, wasn’t intentionally cruel. “I wasn’t trying to be a dick on purpose. All I wanted with these shows was to find successful artists to sign to the label,” he said.
The Reasoning Behind the Rudeness
Cowell compared the on-air auditions to his real-life work in the music industry, where quickly identifying a lack of talent is essential. However, he now recognizes the difference between professional bluntness and on-screen humiliation.
“I did realize I’ve probably gone too far,” he admitted, noting that the show’s editors often highlighted his most critical moments. “Of course, out of a hundred nice comments, what are they going to use? They’re always going to use me in a bad mood. I got that. What can I say? I’m sorry.”
A New Era for Cowell
The TV personality says he has evolved since his early days on television, partly due to seeing online compilations of his harshest moments. “That’s why I changed over time,” he confessed. “I’m not proud of it, let’s put it that way.”
While he stands by the need for honesty, especially when aspiring artists have “zero talent,” he acknowledges a kinder approach is better. He used his son, Eric, as an example, stating he would be honest but not cruel if his son couldn’t sing.
This reflection comes as Cowell prepares to launch a new reality series, Simon Cowell: The Next Act, on Netflix, where he will search for the next global boyband sensation.