Better Late Than Never
Simon Cowell Admits He Went Too Far on American Idol
Cowell's pivot comes amid his latest venture, a Netflix docuseries aptly titled "Simon Cowell: The Next Act," where he's hunting for the next boy band sensation, hopefully with fewer insults this time. As he put it, "I'm not as tough as I used to be."
Simon Cowell, the longtime reality TV judge known for his blunt critiques on "American Idol," has expressed regret over his past behavior toward contestants during auditions. In a recent interview with the New York Times, published on November 29, 2025, as part of the "The Interview" podcast series hosted by Lulu Garcia-Navarro, Cowell admitted that he "probably went too far" in his comments and described himself as having been a jerk at times.
Cowell, now 66, served as a judge on "American Idol" for nine seasons from 2002 to 2010, where his sharp feedback became a hallmark of the show.
He attributed his early harshness to the intense pressure to ensure the program's success. "When I was doing auditions, and someone came in and couldn't sing, we'd say after ten seconds 'you can't sing,' and not 'you're going to be great' and all that," Cowell explained. "I was stressed at first, because I thought if we don't find someone good by the end of these shows, they won't commission more."
Reflecting on specific instances where he insulted contestants, Cowell acknowledged the toll of long audition days. "I have to speak honestly. That's why I changed over time. I mean, I realized that I probably went too far. I didn't particularly like, and still don't, audition days because they're long and boring, and I felt like it was getting to me," he said. He also noted the role of editing in amplifying his negative remarks: "And of course, out of 100 nice comments, what will they [the editors] use? They'll always use me when I'm in a bad mood. I understand that. What can I say? I'm sorry."
When pressed to clarify the nature of his apology, Cowell was direct: "Just that I was a d**k. I'm not proud of it. Let's just say it like that." He credited personal life changes with his evolution, including becoming a father to his son Eric, born in 2014. "I think having a kid changes everything," Cowell said, adding that it has made him more empathetic.
The interview also touched on recent grief, particularly the death of former One Direction member Liam Payne, whom Cowell helped discover on "The X Factor." "It hit me like a ton of bricks... I feel empty," he shared, describing the loss as a profound emotional impact.
Cowell contrasted his "Idol" era with his current approach on shows like "America's Got Talent," where he described himself as less abrasive. "I'm not as tough as I used to be," he noted.
He credited "American Idol" with launching careers of stars like Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood but emphasized the grueling nature of the audition process: "We were under enormous pressure to find talent."
Looking back, Cowell said he views his past self critically: "I wouldn't do it the same way now."
The discussion comes amid Cowell's latest project, a Netflix documentary series titled "Simon Cowell: The Next Act," in which he aims to discover the next major boy band. The series focuses on legacy-building and reflects his shifted perspective from controversy to mentorship.