or type here...
Home

Simon Cowell: I'm Leaving 'American Idol'

1/11/2010 5:37 PM PST BY TMZ STAFF
Simon Cowell: I'm Leaving 'American Idol'

Simon Cowell leaving American IdolSimon Cowell will no longer be crushing terrible singers' dreams on the most popular show on television.

Cowell just announced this will be his last season on "American Idol" -- and that he's leaving the show to be a judge and executive producer on FOX's upcoming American version of "The X Factor" ... the British talent show that launched Leona Lewis' career.

Cowell just made the announcement during the semiannual Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena.

Simon said he was "offered a lot of money" to stay on "American Idol" ... but he "wanted to do something different." BTW, Simon reportedly makes around $36 million a year on "A.I."

For his part, Ryan Seacrest tweeted: "this is simon's last season on idol. He's working on US version of x-factor! He is one of the most brilliant people in our biz! Congrats."

Ironically, Simon and new host Ellen DeGeneres were featured on the cover of Entertainment Weekly last week and Ellen addressed the rumor of Simon leaving by saying, "If Simon goes, I go!"




More "American Idol"

See More

TV, Developing Stories, American Idol, Simon Cowell

Please check your inbox ... your comment will not appear until you have confirmed your identity via email.

When you enter your name and email address you'll be sent a link via email to confirm your comment. Please keep your comments relevant to this post. Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments.

To create a live link, simply type the URL (including http://) or email address and we will make the link live for you. You can put up to 3 URLs in your comments. Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br /> tags.

Reader Comments

(Page 1 of 6) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments
1.
No Avatar

sexoffenders.ws:  762 days ago

This was very much unexpected announcement. We are very much disappointed by the way he affirmed it. Whatever it is the show must go on.

Reply
Likes 0 Dislikes 0
2.
No Avatar

Rachel:  762 days ago

I live in the UK, X Factor is the same as AI, it just has a different name. It's not a big deal.

Reply
Likes 0 Dislikes 0
3.
No Avatar

CAA:  761 days ago

Posted at 6:21PM on Jan 11th 2010 by SweetDee: 68. who's leona lewis?

Ah Yes.......in this day of the best ever search engines the obligatory WHO IS question.......SweetDee.......do you VOTE too?

Reply
Likes 0 Dislikes 0
4.
No Avatar

energizerbunny:  761 days ago

the show won't be the same. you watch ellen will leave if simon leaves. simon is what makes the show. randy doesn't have to make the show. this sucks.

Reply
Likes 0 Dislikes 0
5.
No Avatar

KaseyP:  758 days ago

I can't see what will now happen to American Idol if Simon Cowell will now leave the show. It is true that he is the one who give life to the show. It is quit sad because I myself watch the show to see and to hear the comment of this judge.

Reply
Likes 0 Dislikes 0
6.
No Avatar

shuffler:  763 days ago


At last, the slot is free for me.

Reply
Likes 0 Dislikes 0
7.
No Avatar

fernando:  763 days ago

Drink CHROME SODA!!!!! CHROMEDRINKS.COM.....Italian soda!

Reply
Likes 0 Dislikes 0
8.
No Avatar

M:  763 days ago

I thought Randy said, " dawg don't believe what you hear or read."

Reply
Likes 0 Dislikes 0
9.
No Avatar

emeril I'm not:  763 days ago

dont care dont watch that stupid show anyway

Reply
Likes 0 Dislikes 0
10.
No Avatar

Jude:  763 days ago

It won't be the same. May not even work. . .

Reply
Likes 0 Dislikes 0
11.
No Avatar

Ashley:  763 days ago

Well, there is the end of American Idol!

Reply
Likes 0 Dislikes 0
12.
No Avatar

Bonnie:  763 days ago

Mixed emotions. I have mixed emotions about this. Very talented, and a breath of fresh air - but sometimes too mean. He couldn't find the balance.

Reply
Likes 0 Dislikes 0
13.
No Avatar

stupid:  763 days ago

OK...this is BS once again...right before the season begins for the last few years, they've had some kind of story like this to add to the press for the new season. They did this last year and it was BS...

I like watching AI, but this sh*t is always nonsense!!!

Even if he does, who in the hell cares, as if he'll ever be able to do anything non-AI related anyway and be credible!!!

Reply
Likes 0 Dislikes 0
14.
No Avatar

Cathy:  763 days ago

Glad he is going. Not a fan of his!!!

Reply
Likes 0 Dislikes 0
15.
No Avatar

MadonnaAct2:  763 days ago

No this can't be! AI is nothing without Simon. Maybe they should consider rehiring Paula Abdul back in Simon's place.

Reply
Likes 0 Dislikes 0
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments