Simon Cowell

Simon Phillip Cowell (; born 7 October 1959) is an English television personality, businessman, and record executive. He has judged on the British television talent competition shows Pop Idol (2001–2003), The X Factor (2004–2010; 2014–2018), and Britain's Got Talent (2007–present), as well as the American television talent competition shows American Idol (2002–2010), The X Factor (2011–2013), and America's Got Talent (2016–present). Cowell founded the British entertainment company Syco Entertainment in 2005, as well as its defunct predecessor, Syco Music (also known as S Records) in 2002. After some success in the 1980s and 1990s as a record producer, talent agent and consultant in the British music industry, Cowell came to public prominence in 2001 as a judge on Pop Idol, a television show which he and its creator Simon Fuller successfully pitched to ITV Controller of Entertainment Claudia Rosencrantz. He created the television franchises The X Factor in 2004 and Got Talent in 2007, both of which have been adapted in numerous countries, making him one of the most prominent figures associated with modern television talent competitions. Cowell is known for making blunt, critical and controversial comments as a television music and talent show judge, including insults and wisecracks about contestants and their singing abilities. He has produced and promoted successful singles and albums for various recording acts whom he has signed to his record label Syco Music, including Little Mix, Leona Lewis, Fifth Harmony, Olly Murs, Noah Cyrus, James Arthur, Ella Henderson, Alexandra Burke, and Susan Boyle. He has also signed successful boy bands such as Westlife, One Direction and CNCO. In 2004 and 2010, Time named Cowell one of the 100 most influential people in the world. In 2006, the British public ranked him number 28 in ITV's poll of TV's 50 Greatest Stars, and in 2008, The...