Simon Cowell Addresses Regrets From American Idol Years

Music and television personality Simon Cowell has publicly addressed his famously harsh judging style during the early seasons of American Idol. In recent interviews, Cowell reflected on his behavior and the persona he cultivated on the popular talent competition show, which he served as a judge on from 2002 to 2010.

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Simon Cowell stated in an interview with *The Sunday Times* that he watched old clips of himself on *American Idol* and thought he came across as “incredibly arrogant and pompous.” He described his past on-air demeanor as rude.

Cowell acknowledged that he was intentionally blunt and critical of contestants during the show’s early years. He cited specific examples, such as telling a contestant they sounded “like a mouse” and telling another their voice was “atrocious.”

The judge stated that his behavior was partly an act, describing it as a character he played for television. Cowell noted that this persona was an exaggerated version of himself, designed to be direct and create television moments.

Cowell expressed that he has since changed his approach. He stated he would now be more constructive and less personally critical if he were to judge talent shows today, emphasizing a shift in his perspective over time.

Summary

Simon Cowell has looked back on his time as a judge on *American Idol*, characterizing his past television persona as arrogant and rude. He admitted to using harsh and blunt criticism against contestants, which he now views critically.

Cowell explained that his on-air behavior was a deliberate performance, an amplified character meant for entertainment. He has stated that watching his old performances made him cringe.

The music executive indicated that his current approach to judging would be different, favoring more constructive feedback. This reflection marks a public reassessment of the style that made him a famous and often controversial figure on reality television.

FAQs

**What did Simon Cowell apologize for?**
Simon Cowell expressed regret for being “incredibly arrogant and pompous” during his early seasons on *American Idol*. He specifically apologized for rude and harsh comments directed at contestants.

Does Simon Cowell regret being a judge on American Idol?
There is no indication Cowell regrets being on the show. His comments focus on regretting the specific harsh persona he adopted and the manner of his criticism, not his participation itself.

How does Simon Cowell judge now?
Cowell has stated he would take a more constructive approach if judging today. He emphasized he would avoid the personally critical style he was known for on American Idol in the early 2000s.