The Interview Simon Cowell Is Sorry, Softer and Grieving Liam Payne
43 snips
Nov 29, 2025 
Simon Cowell, renowned television producer and music executive, explores profound changes in his life and career. He reveals his softer side, shaped by therapy, fatherhood, and grief following Liam Payne's tragic death. Cowell shares insights on audience dynamics, his A&R journey, and the pressure of fame on young artists. He reflects on missed opportunities with iconic acts and his blunt but evolving judging style on American Idol. As he navigates personal transformation, Simon discusses the cultural impact of the internet and his newfound beliefs in afterlife.
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Audience Is The Job
- Simon Cowell says audiences pay the bills and deserve respect, so performers must stay engaged with fans.
- He believes losing sight of that entitlement means you are in the wrong job.
Testing Hits In Clubs
- Cowell tested records in gay clubs by playing white-label acetates to watch DJ and crowd reactions.
- That on-the-ground feedback helped him break songs into mainstream radio and the charts.
Pragmatism Over Pretension
- Cowell focused on selling records to survive financially and avoided A&R snobbery.
- He treated IP from non-music sources as viable pop products if audiences liked them.
