Cowell’s warning to wannabes

Published: 14 Sep 2009

As X Factor bosses gear up to put this year's wannabes though boot camp, Si revealed anyone who wins has just a one-in-two chance of long-term chart success.

He told TV Biz: "We can't guarantee that they will be an international star. There is a 50/50 chance that they are going to make it. Sometimes it doesn't work.

"The music business is hard. Trying to find a star with long-term appeal is not an easy job.

"But they will have a better chance of being a star after being on this show."

The millionaire mogul is, of course, speaking from experience - two of his former show winners, Steve Brookstein, 40, and Leon Jackson, 20, have flopped.

And the other male winner, Shayne Ward, 24, is not exactly shoving Justin Timberlake out of the limelight. Simon added: "Yeah we don't always get it right.

"People can give an amazing performance on the show but then they can't get the whole career thing right. It's disappointing but it's out of our hands - it comes down to the public whether or not they like them after the show.

"If the public don't like someone for whatever reason, then we try and learn from that situation and make sure that we don't hire people like that again.

"But I'm 100 per cent committed to the artists."

Simon has already revealed he believes a FELLA will regain the crown this year after Hallelujah singer, Alexandra Burke's win last year.

Contenders include singing teacher Danyl Johnson, bubble-barnet Jamie Afro and Essex boy Olly Murs - the karaoke equivalent of telly chef Jamie Oliver.

"If the public don't like someone for whatever reason, then we try and learn from that situation and make sure that we don't hire people like that again.

'X Factor' key in Simon Cowell deal
Contract could extend his "Idol" stay two more years

By Nellie Andreeva

Sept 23, 2009, 11:00 PM ET


Britain's "The X Factor" may be coming to the U.S. via Fox and a deal with the show's creator, "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell.

Cowell, in the final year of his contract on "Idol," had been open about his desire to bring his mega-hit British format to the U.S., something he couldn't do under his existing "Idol" pact.

Now Fox and Cowell are said to be hammering out a deal to launch an American version of "X Factor" -- while locking in Cowell as an "Idol" judge for two more years, through the 2011-12 season.

The deal has not been finalized and major points are being negotiated, but it is rumored that Cowell could earn about $50 million a season for "Idol" and, in success, "X Factor" might bring him an additional $50 million a cycle.

It has not been determined whether Cowell, who would executive produce "X Factor" for Fox, also would appear as a judge, but it's a possibility. Other rumored celebrity candidates for the judge panel are former "Idol" co-star Paula Abdul and two judges on the British "X Factor," pop star Cheryl Cole and manager Louis Walsh.

All parties involved in the negotiations declined comment Wednesday.

You are distinctly Not Cool.
Everyone knows you don't exactly have a glowing reputation.

You feel that everyone is laughing at you behind your back. Do you want to know something, Simon? That's because they are.

You can clearly see the sales potential in marketing Power Rangers, the World Wrestling Foundation and puppets Zig and Zag. Yet your colleagues think you are a freak. Or worse.

What does Simon Cowell do in this company?' The boss answers: 'Whatever is s*** in this company, that is what Simon Cowell does.'

So people just see you as the puppet guy. 'Hey, Simon, signed any more puppets today?' they snigger in the corridors.

FYI, always post the article; links go bad.

Also, if I gave a shit, I'd edit it in. But I don't, so tough shit.

RyanSeacrest Of course...I admire my much older friendRT @ColdHearted19: @RyanSeacrest Are you going Simon's birthday party this weekend?? =D

PaulaAbdul Packing today. I am headed to the big apple and then to mr. Cowell's 50th bday in London. I am very excited. <3