Simon Cowell - ‘I often think: what gives me the right to judge people?’

Simon Cowell has built an entertainment empire on his ability to say exactly what he thinks and an uncanny ability to judge the public mood.

From launching Pop Idol in 2001, The X Factor in 2004 and the cultural behemoth Britain’s Got Talent in 2007, he has been at the helm of primetime around the world for over a quarter of a century. His TV shows and Syco record label have shaped the careers of everyone from One Direction to Little Mix, Susan Boyle and Leona Lewis.

But his success hasn’t come without its struggles. For the first time, Cowell opens up about his biggest failures and regrets - an extraordinary thing to hear from one of the most successful men on the planet. We chat about fame, bankruptcy, loss, being ‘obnoxious’ and whether he has any regrets. Plus: what breaking his back and a near-death experience taught him and why he thinks we needs another referendum on Brexit.

✨ IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Intro

01:46 Early Life and Career

06:52 The Impact of a Life-Altering Accident

18:19 Facing Bankruptcy and Lessons Learned

22:16 The Influence of Simon's Parents

28:29 Reflections on Wealth and Success

29:37 Reflecting on Wealth and Happiness

30:27 The Impact of COVID-19 on Production

31:58 The Birth of Britain's Got Talent

33:29 The Struggles and Success of BGT

38:20 Understanding Fame and Its Challenges

40:35 The Formation of One Direction

47:20 Lessons from Professional Failures

56:10 Final Thoughts and Advice for Success

Britain’s Got Talent is currently airing on ITV, and America’s Got Talent celebrates its 20th year this summer on NBC.

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Production & Post Production Coordinator: Eric Ryan

Mix Engineer: Josh Gibbs

Producer: Hannah Talbot

Executive Producer: Carly Maile

How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production.

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