Simon Cowell

This article is about the music executive and television presenter. For the conservationist and author, see Simon Cowell (conservationist).

Simon Cowell
Cowell in 2011
Born (1959-10-07) 7 October 1959 (age 65)
London, England
Occupations
  • Television personality
  • entrepreneur
  • record executive
Years active1980–present
OrganizationSyco Entertainment
LabelSyco Music
Television
Partner(s)Lauren Silverman
(2013–present; engaged)
Children1
RelativesNicholas Cowell (brother)
Tony Cowell (half-brother)

Simon Phillip Cowell (/ˈkaʊəl/; born 7 October 1959) is an English television personality, entrepreneur, and record executive. He has judged on the British television talent competition shows Pop Idol (2001–2003), The X Factor UK (2004–2010, 2014–2018), and Britain's Got Talent (2007–present), as well as the American television talent competition shows American Idol (2002–2010), The X Factor US (2011–2013), and America's Got Talent (2016–present). Cowell founded the British entertainment company Syco in 2005, as well as its now-defunct predecessor, Syco Music (also known as S Records) in 2002.

After some success in the 1980s and 1990s as a record producer, talent agent and consultant in the UK music industry, Cowell came to public prominence in 2001 as a judge on Pop Idol, a talent television show which he and its creator Simon Fuller successfully pitched to ITV Controller of Entertainment Claudia Rosencrantz. He subsequently created The X Factor in 2004 and Got Talent in 2006, which have become successful television franchises sold around the world.

Cowell often makes blunt and controversial comments as a television music and talent show judge, including insults and wisecracks about contestants and their singing abilities. He combines activities in both the television and music industries. Cowell has produced and promoted successful singles and albums for various recording acts whom he has signed to his record label Syco Music, including Little Mix, James Arthur, Labrinth, Leona Lewis, Fifth Harmony, Olly Murs, Noah Cyrus, Fleur East, Ella Henderson, and Susan Boyle. He has also signed successful boy bands such as Westlife, One Direction, PrettyMuch, and CNCO.

In 2004 and 2010, Time named Cowell one of the 100 most influential people in the world.[1][2] In 2008, The Daily Telegraph ranked him sixth in their list of the "100 most powerful people in British culture".[3] The same year, he received the Special Recognition Award at the National Television Awards in London.[4] At the 2010 British Academy Television Awards, Cowell received the BAFTA Special Award for his "outstanding contribution to the entertainment industry and for his development of new talent".[5] In 2018, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the television category.[6]

  1. ^ Poniewozik, James (26 April 2004). "The 2004 TIME 100: Simon Cowell", Time. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  2. ^ Cannon, Nick (29 April 2010). "The 2010 TIME 100: Simon Cowell", Time. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  3. ^ "The 100 most powerful people in British culture". The Daily Telegraph. 9 November 2016. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022.
  4. ^ "The 2008 National TV Awards". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  5. ^ "Simon Cowell to receive BAFTA Special Award". BAFTA.org. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  6. ^ "Simon Cowell gets star on Hollywood Walk of Fame". BBC News. Retrieved 3 October 2019.