When Simon Cowell took his seat behind the judge's table on American Idol, the audience knew some poor singer would be judged harshly.
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His cutting critiques became part of the show's appeal, but Cowell now shares that he's not proud of his on-camera attitude.
Simon Says He's Sorry
Many people tuned in to American Idol to watch contestants bomb in front of Cowell. However, the record executive recently told The New York Times he wasn't proud of how he delivered his opinions.
"What can I say? I'm sorry. Just being a d*ck ... I'm not proud of it," said Cowell. "Let's put it that way. I never look at this stuff online or anything. You know, I'm not someone who particularly wants to see myself on camera."
Cowell explained that his harsh criticisms weren't always a reflection of the contestant's abilities. Instead, much of the pressure came from needing to find someone captivating enough to keep viewers engaged throughout the season.
"I was frustrated at the beginning, because I thought, if we don't find someone good at the end of these shows, they're not going to get recommissioned," says Cowell.
Although American Idol is still on air, Cowell has since moved on to other opportunities. Reflecting on his experience, he acknowledged why his pointed criticisms continue to resonate with audiences today.
He said, "When I hear about these clips, I'm like, 'Oh God.' But then again, the upside is, I suppose, with these clips, is that it made the shows really popular worldwide."
A Sampling Of Some of Simon Cowell's Harshest Critiques
Here is a sampling of some of the monstrous missives uttered by Cowell during his time on American Idol:
- "Last year, I described someone as being the worst singer in America. I think you're possibly the worst singer in the world."
- "You have the personality of a handle."
- "If you had lived 2,000 years ago and sung like that, I think they would have stoned you."
- "It was a bit like ordering a hamburger and only getting the bun."
- "I'm tempted to ask if you sang that the night before your wife left you."
- "There's as much chance of you being a pop star or a rock star as me flying to the moon tomorrow morning for breakfast."
