Simon Cowell Lays Into Taylor Hicks, Jennifer Hudson
Thursday night at the 24th Annual Paley Festival at the Directors Guild of America in West Hollywood, Simon Cowell took part in a panel discussion about American Idol at the Museum of Television & Radio.
He didn't exactly hold back his feelings about a pair of former contestants.
Regarding Taylor Hicks, who won season 5's competition:
"They (Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson) loved him. I couldn't stand him. I didn't get it," Cowell snapped, adding that "at the end of the day you have to find a bona fide recording artist. Just because you win the show doesn't mean you will sell a lot of records. Chris (Daughtry) is the one who sold the albums, not Taylor."
The man does speak the truth, as much as it might pain Taylor fans to hear. Meanwhile, Jennifer Hudson was not excused from criticism, either.
Cowell commented on Hudson saying American Idol was a "stepping stone" for her.
"Stepping stone? It was her big opportunity to become noticed and she got noticed and she got Dreamgirls," Simon said, noting that other past contestants "deliberately turn against the show that made them successful. The reason (people) come on the show is because all the doors had been slammed in their face."
What do you guys think of Cowell's comments?
March 5th, 2007 11:53 AM
I agree with Simon to an extent. However I do not think Jennifer should have to praise American Idol. It's not like she lasted a long time in the competition (she was voted out before a lot of the bad people). I mean, that's like saying Britney and Justin should have to praise the Mickey Mouse Club the rest of their lives. And I can't believe how America has just dissed Taylor Hicks. So he was good enough to be your American Idol but not good enough to buy his records?? I voted for him because I thought he was very entertaining, but I'm afraid a lot of people only voted for him to prove to Simon that he could not only make into the Top 24, but that he could take the whole thing. I also believe people aren't buying his CDs because they're bitter about Daughtry's early vote-off. Yes, it's also because Taylor does a style of music that isn't very popular, but still, America knew he was no Justin Timberlake, so what did everyone expect? Don't praise Taylor while he's on the show and then turn your back on him afterwards. It's not like Daughtry selling more records than him is a surprise.
March 5th, 2007 1:01 PM
I THINK SIMON COWELL IS A WAY TO CRUEL ON AMERICAN IDOL. CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM IS ONE THING BUT TO BE SDOWN RIGHT RUDE AND HURTFUL WHEN THESE PEOPLE ARE PUTTING THEIR DREAMS OSN THELINE IS JUST WRONG . IF HE THINKS IT MAKES FOR GOOD TV IT DOESNT. HE HATED TAYLOR FROM THE BEGINNING BUT WHEN HE WON HE SAID SAID OH YEAH I KNEW HE HAD TALENT NOW HES DISSING HIM AGAIN BECAUSE HE THINKS HE HASNT DONE AS WELL AS DAUGHTRY. I LIKE DAUGHTRY HES TALENTED. I DO BELIEVE THAT KATHERINE MCFEE IS GETTING WHERE SHE IS BY BEING A SLUT. TAYLOR HICKS IS VERY TALENTED HE HAS SOLD A LOT OF RECORDS HE HAS SOLD OUT HIS CONCERTS. HE MAY NOT BE DAUGHTRY BUT TO ME THATS GOOD DAUGHTRYS SOUND HEARD IT BEFORE AND WILL HEAR IT AGAIN, TAYLOR IS UNIQUE AND HIS FANS WILL STAND BEHIND HIM FOREVER.
March 5th, 2007 5:06 PM
The comment he made about taylor may not have been worded the best way but it was true Chris SHOULD have won season 5 and he proved that the first week his album came out. Simon may be rude and mean but he makes the show funny and he does make some of the idol hopefulls work harder just to prove him wrong. But there are some comments that he should not make like comments about peoples size the only thing he should make comments about is their voices and their performance.
March 5th, 2007 5:51 PM
I AGREE WITH SIMON 100%!
TAYLOR HICKS WAS NOT THE BEST PERSON TO WIN AMERICAN IDOL. HE HAD THE OLDER CROWD VOTE AND THE "VOTE FOR THE WORST" VOTE AS WELL. DAUGHTRY WAS EXTREMLY MORE QUALIFIED A SINGER. I THINK THEY (ALL AMERICAN IDOL CONTESTANTS) SHOULD GIVE AMERICAN IDOL CREDIT. THINK ABOUT IT , IF IT WASNT FOR AMERICAN IDOL, WOULD WE KNOW JENNIFER HUDSON? FANTASIA BARRON? KELLY CLARKSON? TAYLOR HICKS? ABSOLUTLY NOT!
March 6th, 2007 12:04 PM
It would seem a great deal of people are "coming in late", or are "slow to catch on" to this VERY IMPORTANT topic of "CD Sales Inflation scheme". I suspect, the real truth is, that most have entertained the thought, but choose to bury their heads in the sand, including some of those in powerful positions in the music/radio/television industry; (afterall, it's politics with them, and it's all about "who you know")...everybody knows that familiar saying: "it's hard to crack a nut", because many of them work in cohoots.
News of this nature is kept very hush-hush by the ties that bind, it could be a potential bombshell if uncovered, so they have "covered" all their bases (interpreted: meaning they have carefully orchestrated and planned a certain rocker Idol's career from the very day that Taylor won the title of American Idol.) They never intended to give Taylor ANY real backing; in fact, their intent was the opposite, which was to pimp the Idol of their choice through:
a. inflated/skewered CD sales (without being detected. )
b. radio payola (paying for airplay boost)
c. VH1 Video
d. Featured AI Swan Song (Home)
It CAN, and I believe, WILL be uncovered. I believe that what is done in darkness, shall be brought to light. Read this article to see how
a scam can be perpetrated:
http://blogcritics.org/archives/2002/12/08/195632.php
It’s TOTALLY UNFAIR to Taylor to let this whole saga be written off as "he just didn't fit, or make the cut", when in reality, it's a set-up to make him appear unsuccessful as an artist, and to attempt to make themselves appear that they were right all along about who should have won. Whether they think he should have won, or not; or whether they think he’s the best singer, or not, the fact remains that he IS the people’s choice, and he deserves their ‘backing and support’ and respect.
Some say, "the competition is over"; I say this has nothing to do with competition, because Taylor WON that competition/contest hands down; but it does have everything to do with "ego" and the flexing of the powerful industry muscle. It doesn't matter if you're a Daughtry fan, or a McPhee fan, or a Taylor fan; if only it were that simple. The issue at hand, I believe, goes deeper than that, much deeper. Simon Cowell has gone to the press and stated for the record that he “can’t stand Taylor”. Folks, this is not only business, it’s also a personal attack. There are career's at stake here, this is a serious matter; they are trying to make(Daughtry) and break(Taylor), that simply cannot, and should not be tolerated, and most certainly, should be investigated.
March 12th, 2007 8:20 PM
yes i agree because all she would of been is another overweight black girl that can sing amongst the other 200+ girls that tried out for dreamgirls. I think the show helped her because who knew who she was except those that worked with her at Burger King..
March 12th, 2007 8:21 PM
oh yeah she still hasnt sold any records yet either!!
March 14th, 2007 10:52 PM
although she was voted off and has not sold any albums she is doing much better than the forerunnres. she has been on broadway, movies, and even won an oscar. now that says a lot for person who doesn't fit the hollywood phsical status or who was voted off in the early part of the contest.
July 7th, 2007 3:51 PM
i've wanna say that jennifer hudson you are truly a great singer i have never heard singing like that before. i'm glad you won the bet awards. Fantasia i'm happy to know that even though you have been through so much you did not let that stop you for achieving your goals and living your dreams i am so proud of you. you i admire you so much. may god bless the two of you. once again i admire the two of you. thank you.
July 7th, 2007 3:54 PM
okay now i think simon is so cruel. but american idol would not be good without him because it keeps it real. he tell it like it is. if a person is horrible he will say that. if somebody is good he will say that. if somebody is okay he will say that. i think the show would be stupid with out him. okay.