Simon Cowell is reflecting on how fame has shaped his life—both in ways expected and totally strange. Speaking on the How to Fail podcast with Elizabeth Day, the longtime TV judge said his sharp-tongued persona, made famous on American Idol, The X Factor, and America’s Got Talent, led people to view him in odd ways. “People used to ask me to be rude to them,” he said. “I mean literally, they would come up and say — particularly in America — ‘Will you be rude to me?’ And I’m like, ‘No!’”
Looking back, Cowell admitted those requests now seem harmless compared to what came next. He shared a particularly strange moment that still stands out. “Then one time — it’s a true story,” he said. “I was in a restaurant and this guy comes up to me and he said, ‘I love your show.’” Cowell thanked the fan, who then asked for a photo and introduced his wife. But the conversation quickly took a turn when the man asked, “Would you judge us having sex?”
Cowell was taken aback by the unexpected request when a couple approached him in a restaurant, asking if he would judge them having sex. They offered him $150,000, but after considering it briefly, Cowell declined. He found the encounter strange and ultimately couldn’t bring himself to accept the offer.
Fame Helped Simon Cowell Confront Shyness
Despite his confident appearance on TV, Cowell admitted that he has always been shy. However, fame helped him cope with this by making social interactions easier. Once people recognized him, it allowed for smoother conversations, as they already knew who he was and could bond over shared topics like his shows and the artists he worked with.
Cowell’s career began in the 1980s and ’90s, working behind the scenes at major record labels such as EMI and BMG. His knack for identifying talent eventually led to his role as a judge on Pop Idol in the UK, which then led to his iconic stint on American Idol. His straightforward, sometimes harsh judging style made him a household name, and over the years, he has helped launch the careers of artists like One Direction, Leona Lewis, Fifth Harmony, and Susan Boyle.
Reflecting on the tragic loss of One Direction’s Liam Payne in October, Cowell shared his grief, feeling an overwhelming emptiness with the passing of someone he had been close to in his career. This loss reminds Cowell of the emotional toll of working in the entertainment industry, where the personal connections made with talent often extend beyond just professional ties.
