Ryan Seacrest Exclusive Interview with Simon Cowell

In an exclusive interview before his last night on “American Idol”, Ryan Seacrest talks to judge Simon Cowell about his time on the show, how it has impacted his life and his plans for the future.

American Idol Said Good-bye to Simon Cowell

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Paula Abdul sat on his lap, and his best insults were turned into a song as a softer Simon Cowell took center stage on Wednesday in his last appearance as a judge on “American Idol”.

The British music executive may have become a household name in the United States by trashing wannabe singers, but his send-off on Wednesday was a love fest.

The season finale was scattered with video clips of memorable Cowell faces, humorous tributes from fellow judges and a song that strung his most famous one-liners together.

Ex-judge Abdul teased Cowell about his haircut and recalled a love-hate relationship on screen that she said made them “America’s most dysfunctional family” before she quit the show last year.

“My darling Simon, I’ve worked with a lot of people over the years, hot cheerleaders, big movie stars, world famous recording artists, even a cartoon cat. But if I’m being truly honest, none of them holds a candle to you, my friend,” Abdul said in a surprise live appearance.

She then perched on his lap on the judges’ podium as seven former “Idol” champions and more than 15 past contestants serenaded him.

Cowell, dragged on stage shortly before the actual 2010 “American Idol” was announced, admitted to feeling emotional.

“When everyone asks who’s going to replace me, who’s going to be the next judge, the truth is, you guys are the judge of this show,” Cowell said, indicating the viewers and voters.

“And you’ve done an incredible job over the years,” he added.

Cowell is leaving “Idol” to bring a version of his British talent show “The X Factor” to the United States next year, leaving producers to find a replacement for him on the top-rated Fox singing show.

“I think they need Darth Vader to take his place or possibly Hannibal Lecter,” rock singer Alice Cooper told reporters before performing on Wednesday, referring to some of the movie world’s most famous villains.

Simon Cowell, You Did It Again! Billionaire!

Simon, Simon, you never fail to sell yourself.  Now, you are going be a billionaire!

The Sun UK:

SIMON Cowell last night signed a deal with Sony to net him an estimated $1BILLION over the next six years.

The talent show tycoon has wrested his company Syco from the music giant and set it up as a joint venture, which will see him getting 50 per cent of profits.

Previously the operation was wholly owned by Sony with Cowell, 50, getting millions through salary and profit share as a paid employee.

The new company, still to be called Syco, will house its current artists including Leona Lewis and Joe McElderry – but also TV shows X Factor and … Got Talent, both in the UK and worldwide.

Cowell is already worth £120million and industry sources predict this could run to $1billion – £610million – by 2016 with the launch of US X Factor next year. Cowell has told how he plans to flog merchandise and build theme parks off the back of it.

Top Shop boss Sir Philip Green will be a shareholder and adviser. The pair have been negotiating the new deal for months. Last night Cowell said: “I’ve had a fantastic relationship with Sony. I’m delighted we are launching this.”

Sony boss Sir Howard Stringer added: “This allows us to pursue a host of opportunities with this supremely talented individual.”

Cowell is also negotiating his ITV deal, set to net him a further £12million over two years. He is also looking for judges for the US X Factor but ruled out Spice Girl Victoria Beckham – a guest host on American Idol last week.

Want to Listen To Susan Boyle?

Susan Boyle rocks! She has made her dream come true. I must say that she deserved to sing the song ” I Dreamed A Dream
“.  Her CD broke all records in US, UK, Europe, Australia and all over the world.

Listen to her song:

Amazon reported that she was their #1 pre-ordered item ever in their history. Check this out: I Dreamed A Dream

 

Simon Cowell’s Prized Possession – Susan Boyle

SUSAN Boyle moved into her new £2million flat after Simon Cowell’s agents checked with the landlord that they would allow her CAT.

The Britain’s Got Talent singer has now moved into the converted convent with beloved pet Pebbles.

Show sources last night told how Susan was being “wrapped in cotton wool” to help her recover from exhaustion before the BGT live tours, which start tomorrow.

Show judge Cowell is renting the London pad for his “prized possession”, a show runner-up, but potentially worth millions, for five weeks. He’s called in FOUR limos in a bid to fool paparazzi when moving the Scot about.

But we can reveal virgin Susan, 48, has still left bosses panicking by refusing to turn up to rehearsals.

A BGT source said: “Simon is looking after his prize possession and no expense will be spared making sure she is happy in herself and well enough to perform.

“He wants her to be fully recovered from the exhaustion she suffered during Britain’s Got Talent.

“Diversity may have won the show but Susan’s the one with massive pound signs over her head. She’s being wrapped in cotton wool.”

Music supremo Cowell was told about the “idyllic and highly secure” premises by Susan’s private doctor — who treated her at The Priory clinic in London last week.

Dr Sarah Lotzof said the apartment would put the Scottish singer in a “stable and homely” environment.

Susan moved in after being told Pebbles, who she lived with back in Blackburn, West Lothian, could join her.

Other BGT tour acts will live in hotels — while Susan is ferried back to the sprawling pad whenever possible.

The star suffered an emotional breakdown after losing to dance-troupe Diversity on the ITV show’s final.

She was released from the Priory last Friday, and spent the weekend at home in West Lothian before retuning to London on Monday.

There were fears she would not be well enough to perform at the 23-date tour’s launch show in Birmingham.

But we told how she held talks about appearing in that gig and just a few dates after, to conserve her energy for recording a debut album.

But she has now thrown organisers into chaos, by not turning up to practice. A tour source said: “She was meant to be at rehearsals on Tuesday, but she cancelled.”

[Source: The Sun, UK]