By India McCarty
Simon Cowell has been judging on reality competition shows like AMERICAN IDOL and THE X-FACTOR for decades now — here’s why.
“I genuinely believe that these shows have to have a purpose. And to that point, whether you win or lose, I think particularly today, you’ve got to be able to get attention with so many millions of people uploading content at the moment,” Cowell told Parade. “I think what this does is it puts you on the ladder, so to speak. So, if you do a great audition or a great live show performance — and I’ve seen that happen so many times now — there are massive knock-on effects in terms of their careers, their lives, their confidence. That’s one of the best parts of doing the job.”
He continued, “When I look back on the origins of all these shows, I’ve seen so many people and to be able to see what it’s done for their careers, their lives, it’s amazing. If that didn’t happen, I promise you, I wouldn’t do the shows.”
Through these shows, Cowell has had a hand in discovering talent like Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood (AMERICAN IDOL) and One Direction and Fifth Harmony (THE X-FACTOR).
Lately, he’s used his judging skills on AMERICA’S GOT TALENT, which is returning for its 21st season.
“We had a lot of returnees this year, which was really good, because it’s always interesting to see people come back and [be] better, having thought it through. It shouldn’t be that just because you didn’t make it to the end, that’s the end,” Cowell told USA Today.
Related: Simon Cowell Credits Son for Making Him a More Empathetic Judge
He continued, “You just have to trust the audience. And keep pushing the people, after they make it through to the live shows, not to repeat what they’ve done. I’m thinking about that all the time — you could be good, but if you’re boring, that’s not going to work. You can’t be boring. Really think about the fact that you’ve got this massive opportunity here. Don’t screw it up. Well, try not to.”
In an interview with TV Insider, Cowell called the AGT set “a happy place to be,” adding that he “enjoys the tapings now.”
“I try to get the crowd more and more involved. Let them know they’re not just there to watch it,” he said. “They’re there to judge it with us, because I feed off their energy.”
So, how much longer can fans expect to see Cowell behind the judges’ table?
“At some point, realistically, I’ve got to hand over the reins. That’s going to happen; the question is when. But the show is going to live on,” Cowell said.
New episodes of AMERICA’S GOT TALENT are now airing every Tuesday night.
Read Next: New Mom and Last Year’s AMERICA’S GOT TALENT Winner Releases First Album
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