Simon Cowell Expresses Regret for Insulting 'American Idol' Contestants: "I'm Sorry, What Can I Say?"

Simon Cowell has publicly expressed regret to the early contestants of American Idol for his harsh behavior. The renowned music producer and television judge admitted he was not proud of the way he criticized participants on the show, which became a defining aspect of his public persona when the series debuted on Fox in 2002.

In a conversation with The New York Times, Cowell reflected that his demeanor on American Idol became less severe over time after realizing he had gone too far. In the shows initial seasons, he explained, his main focus was discovering talent, and he feared the series would be canceled if he failed to find promising performers. This urgency, combined with editing choices, made his approach appear even harsher.

During auditions, if someone couldnt sing, we would bluntly say, You cant sing, rather than offering encouragement, Cowell recounted. I was frustrated early on, because I thought if we didnt find someone talented, the show might not continue.

Host Lulu Garcia-Navarro asked Cowell to clarify the boundary between being straightforward and humiliating contestants, referencing clips where he criticized participants appearance or compared their singing to torture. Cowell admitted, Do we have to go through this? I realized over time that I had probably gone too far.

He added, I still dont enjoy audition daystheyre long and tedious. Out of a hundred positive remarks, only my grumpy moments were highlighted. What can I say? Im sorry.

When asked to specify his apology, Cowell said, Just for being a dick Im not proud of it. I never seek out these clips online; seeing myself on camera isnt something I enjoy. But I suppose the upside is that these moments contributed to the shows global popularity.

This is not the first time Cowell has expressed remorse for his judging style on American Idol. In 2012, he described his treatment of contestants as appalling, and in 2011, he admitted he had crossed the line, especially with more vulnerable participants.

Cowell shared these reflections while promoting his upcoming Netflix series, Simon Cowell: The Next Act, which is set to premiere on December 10.

Author: Sophia Brooks