Simon Cowell isn’t known for his diplomacy on screen – but it was the Britain’s Got Talent judge’s early days on X Factor when his most venomous criticism came out.
Once, he sharpened his claws in preparation to tell a contestant from Eastern Europe: « I don’t know what cats being squashed sound like in Lithuania, but I now have a pretty good idea. » To another contestant, he raised the idea of a pre-medieval era punishment, exclaiming: « If you had lived 2,000 years ago and sung like that, I think they would have stoned you. »
Fans of the show were divided between those who disapproved of his insults and those who found them absolutely hilarious – and one criticism to a group auditioning was especially savage. He told the stunned pop star hopefuls: « You’re probably the most disillusioned group of people we’ve ever had in this competition. »
He continued: « I think the group is horrendous, you have absolutely zero edge, no originality. I think individually you’re weak, I think as a group you’re even worse [and there’s] absolutely zero chance you guys will ever, ever, ever have a successful career. »
Not one to mince his words, the music mogul – who had also been hosting and executive producing America’s Got Talent, told another hopeful: « Last year I described someone as being the worst singer in America. I think you’re possibly the worst singer in the world. » In another war of words, he declared: « There’s as much chance as you being a pop star or a rock star as me flying to the moon tomorrow morning for breakfast. »
Though Simon is one of the best-placed celebrities to be able to afford one of Richard Branson’s future moon missions, he certainly doesn’t seem to be heading into space any time soon – and he used that reality to swiftly put the contestant in his place.
Another contestant was told to urgently consult a lawyer about suing his singing teacher.
He compared one person’s vocals to the sounds of zoo animals, while a lifeguard was told that if his life-saving skills were on par with his singing, « a lot of people would be drowning ».
« If the criteria was to vote people through for singing every note out of tune, you would win tonight, » he savagely slammed after hearing another ill-fated hopeful’s efforts.
