The dreams of Simon Cowell are about to come true.
No, he won’t be tar and feathering Ryan Seacrest.
Instead, the American Idol judge will be staging World’s Got Talent some time in 2011, a reality show that will bring together a number of acts from across the globe.
The event will be held at London’s Royal Albert Hall, as sources say Simon has wanted to do the competition since 2007, when Britain’s Got Talent first aired.
“This has been Simon’s dream. It will be the biggest reality show the world’s seen,” said an insider.
The most well-known act to come out of Britain Got Talent, of course, is Susan Boyle. She’s sold millions of albums worldwide. Winners from similar shows around the world have included opera singers, contortionists, circus performers and dance groups.
Simon Cowell‘s coveted judging slot on American Idol is now up for grabs, but who’s really, truly getting the Idol gig next season? Names are being thrown around willy-nilly (Madonna?!), but we’re here to tell you things are not at all what they seem…
Very reliable Idol insiders tell us that, as of now, show producers plan on replacing the chesty Brit with…no one?!
Says one source: “They most likely will have ‘guest judges,’ and not a single new Simon.”
When asked about the possibility of Idol‘s judges table being reduced to three, á la Paula Abdul‘s era, Kara DioGuardi was none too pleased, stating: “I guess there’s that possibility, [but] I hope not.”
In fact, she’d much prefer Simon stick around the show a little bit longer–they’re just finding their flirty groove, ya know?
“I only have two stories of Simon in my head: One was when I first came on the show , where [we weren't] really connecting, and I felt like he wasn’t feeling me. And now this season we have a common respect for each other,” she explains. “I’ve learned a lot from him, really enjoyed my time with him and I’m going to miss him.”
What do you think about having different celebs on the panel each week next season? Could they possibly replace Simon’s musical brilliance? Shower some sweet suggestions in the comments section.
Now that Simon Cowell is down to his very last minutes at American Idol, is Howard Stern finally ready to admit he wants to replace the cantankerous judge?
Not exactly…
“I watch it religiously,” the shock jock told me at the Sex and the City premiere at New York’s Radio City Music Hall. “I believe Crystal Bowersox will win.
“But I don’t think the show has been great this season,” he continued. “That’s why their ratings have dropped a little bit. I think the judges have been a little soft. I think it’s time to mix it up, make it a little more exciting again.”
If Stern does land the gig, don’t expect him to be Simon 2.0. “I like Simon,” he said. “I think he’s great, but I tend to more than just break people’s hearts about their dreams in singing. I don’t think that’s my kind of job.”
Who does he think is right for the gig? “I would have no idea,” he said. “Ellen DeGeneres has proven she’s a nice talk-show host, but she doesn’t offer anything controversial.”
Paula Abdul, on the other hand, “should do something,” Stern said. “The world needs her.”
And it’s getting her. Just hours after we spoke to Stern, CBS announced that the unpredictable makes-for-good-television Abdul will be lead judge on Got to Dance, an upcoming American adaptation of the hit U.K. dance competition show of the same name.
Perhaps she’ll ask Stern to join her at the judges table.
Her fiancee, Simon Cowell, has reportedly bought his bride-to-be a special prize for her 37th birthday – a luxury 1954 Jaguar XK convertible priced at over $120,000!
HOLY SHIZ!
And apparently the American Idol judge didn’t stop there!
A source says:
“Red roses, French lingerie, Prada bags, you name it. He gives her something new practically every day. One particularly sweet surprise was private his-and-hers Swedish massages in their London hotel room.”
For anyone who thought Simon Cowell‘s appearance on The Tonight Show with his fiancee Mezghan Hussainy was awkward or uncomfortable, the American Idol judge’s friend Amanda Holden claims he’s just a regular Mr. Darcy and doesn’t like talking about his feelings!!
Holden says:
“Apart from his mum [speaking about him], he’s never really let on much about his private life. He has to maintain some kind of privacy in such a public arena. He wants to keep something back for himself. He’s an incredibly shy person. People who he trusts the most are the people who talk to him properly. He likes proper opinion and she’s very strong and definitely vocal and honest. Most people in his life are … He’s a straight talker on the telly and real life. Simon’s fallen hook line and sinker. They are like Tweedledee and Tweedledum. You can’t separate them really.”
So cute!!
We knew under that sarcastic, furry exterior there was a marshmallow just wanting someone to snuggle and watch A Walk To Remember with!!
“I’d love to have Cheryl on the show. We have great chemistry. Cheryl’s a natural star. People can’t help but warm to her.”
And apparently she’s accepting the offer! An insider reveals:
“Simon thinks America will fall in love with Cheryl, just like Britain has. She has a unique talent for winning everybody over. She gets involved emotionally with her acts, whereas the other judges don’t. She is incredibly passionate, genuine and caring and he knows he needs a judge like that on the line-up.
“Simon also loves that Cheryl isn’t afraid to stand up to him on the show. He knows their banter will be a massive hit with American audiences. Not only does he want her on American X Factor but he wants her to be sat on the much sought-after seat directly next to him. Cheryl has told Ashley. Now they are working out what to do.”
Last November we reported that Sting had lashed out at Simon Cowell and his shows American Idol and The X-Factor, calling them “televised karaoke” and “preposterous!”
Cowell must have let those comments sit and fester for a while, because he just bit back at Sting. HARD.
“First of all, anybody who at the age of 60 calls himself Sting is an idiot. I find those kind of people… who come from quite humble beginnings and they’re (now) living in these stately homes, professing to know everything about everything in the world, and what the contestants may or may not feel… They can say that because they’ve got everything they want in their lives, but what they’re really saying is anybody else who needs a shot shouldn’t be allowed to do it.”
Eek. We predict that this feud is going to get a lot NASTIER, and soon.
We still are on Team Simon with this one. Why is Sting even talking about him??
The pair, who are already living together, met on American Idol years ago and developed a friendship. When Simon’s previous relationship ended, they became romantically involved and have already been together a year.
Simon and Mezhgan have not announced their wedding date, but many believe that it will be in 2010.
“They are very suited,” said Simon’s publicist Max Clifford. “She is someone who is independent and says what she thinks and feels, and he likes that. He’s probably the happiest I have ever known him in the nine years I’ve been working with him.”
Based on comments last week, it appears as though Simon Cowell has a soft spot in his heart for this season’s female contestants. He’s hinted that he hopes Didi Benami, Crystal Bowersox or another woman is crowned the next American Idol.
But there’s another female that’s truly won over Simon’s heart: Mezhgan Hussainy.
Cowell has referred to the make-up artist as “special,” while his mother has now gone on record about her son’s burgeoning relationship.
In a new interview, Julie Cowell relays a conversation she had with Simon soon after he asked Hussainy to move in with him.
“What baffled me most was the complete turnaround in my son. He has always insisted, ‘I’m fine as I am, mother. I’m not going to get committed to a marriage and I certainly don’t want children.’ I used to reply, ‘You don’t know, you’ve never had them.’”
Julie adds that “Mezhgan is absolutely lovely” and that she can’t believe the state of bliss in which her son finds himself.
“He looks exceptionally happy and there is such a glow about him,” Julie said. “I thought, my goodness me, he’s had to reach 50 to reach this stage. I think turning 50 has made him reassess his life.
“Now I really think marriage and fatherhood for Simon are going to happen. I would like to see an official engagement, a marriage and yes, then grandchildren. Mezghan is very family orientated, so she is ideal for him.”
American Idol viewers haven’t seen Ellen DeGeneres on TV yet. But Simon Cowell may have already had enough of her!
The comedian started taping the Hollywood rounds of the show last week and will debut on Fox on February 9. How is she getting along with the most important panelist of all?
“Their relationship started poorly, but now the situation has escalated,” a source told RadarOnline.com.
The tension stems from Ellen’s very first day on set, as reports indicate Simon showed up an hour and a half and DeGeneres was “greatly annoyed” by such tardiness.
“There’s two camps on the show this season,” said a show insider. “It’s a lot more tense than previous seasons. It seems as if Ellen has decided to try to take control since Simon is on his way out and that’s created problems.”
Sounds like it will create great television, as well. Are you excited for Ellen to debut? Do you wanna see Katy Perry take over for Cowell next season?
You can also check out the leaked names of rumored season nine semifinalists. The next American Idol will likely come from this group.
