Simon Cowell has a new project that is an exciting career opportunity, but it is also a way for fans to get to know him better as he takes them on a journey behind the scenes.  The Netflix docuseries, “Simon Cowell: The Next Act,” is a six-episode series focused on finding the next big boy band. But it almost didn’t happen because the “America’s Got Talent” judge was heartbroken. 

Simon Cowell Shares Heartbreak 

Cowell reflected on the sudden and unexpected death of Liam Payne on October 16, 2024. Payne died after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires. He was 31. Payne and Cowell worked closely after he discovered the musician and the other members of One Direction, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, and Louis Tomlinson, when they auditioned on “The X Factor.” Upon learning of Payne’s passing, Cowell was unable to film, and production for the docuseries was temporarily paused. “I was in pieces, I’m not going to lie,” he said in an interview with Page Six on Saturday, December 6. 

The journalist responsible for the interview noted that he has known the former “American Idol” judge for over 20 years. In that time, he had never seen him cry. However, when Cowell learned of Payne’s passing, he was overcome with emotion, and he “breaks down on camera,” Page Six reports. 

“I’d spoken to his parents that morning when I heard the news, and I was just thinking, ‘God, I couldn’t cope with that. I genuinely couldn’t,’” Cowell said of the emotional scene, which was filmed in October 2024. 

Despite his heartache over Payne’s death, Cowell was already deep into filming the docuseries and had auditioned over 1,000 teens. He realized he needed to make a decision. “Then I met with them, and I met with the parents, and we talked for a few hours, and I said, ‘Look, think about it. And then if you decide any of you don’t want to continue, I completely understand,” he recalled. “And if you do decide to come along, we are going to have a big support team around you.’ And they all decided they wanted to have that chance.”

Simon Cowell Discusses His Son

Cowell is a father to his son, Eric, whom he shares with long-term partner, Lauren Silverman. The couple has been together since 2013, and their son was born in 2014. The docu-series offers a glimpse into his personal life, too. It includes scenes with Silverman, who is notably a very private person, and highlights their relationship.

When working on the show, Cowell also thought about how his son could one day be one of those hopeful teens auditioning for a life-changing role in a band. “You start thinking, ‘What if Eric was one of those boys?’ Is it something that he should do?’ But when someone makes up their mind that they want to go into entertainment and they’re talented, you’ve got to encourage them,” Cowell said. “At the same time, you’ve got to look after them.”

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Moshow, who rose to viral internet fame as “the cat rapper,” is continuing to spread positivity, creativity, and feline pride.

The former “America’s Got Talent” contestant spoke exclusively with Entertainment Now about his growing career, his memorable AGT experience, and his brand-new partnership with Froot Loops as part of the cereal brand’s hip-hop-inspired “Follow Your Ears” campaign.

Inside Froot Loops “Follow Your Ears” Campaign

Froot Loops’ “Follow Your Ears” campaign is the brand’s newest cultural initiative celebrating the more than 1,000 times the cereal has been name-dropped in hip-hop tracks. The campaign includes custom jewelry inspired by hip-hop references to Froot Loops, street-level posters with hidden lyrical clues, and fan sweepstakes tied to QR codes.

For Moshow, the opportunity to partner with the cereal brand immediately sparked nostalgia.

“When I think about Froot Loops, I think about me watching Saturday cartoons, eating froot loops and getting ready to watch Pokemon or Yu Gi Oh… It just took me back as me being a kid.”

The rapper added that interacting with fans has been one of the most rewarding parts of joining the campaign. “Seeing other people have that nostalgia feeling… it kind of transports them back to what they were doing at that time,” he shared. “Being a part of such a big brand that is like a household name… it’s just really inspiring.”

Moshow Talks ‘America’s Got Talent’ & Shares BTS Moments

The rapper and content creator also reflected on how he found his creative identity by simply being true to himself and embracing what he loves most.

“I’ve always had big feelings. So as a rapper, I felt I wanted to be my authentic self and not be someone that I wasn’t… I love cats. I love positivity, I love inspiring people. So why don’t I just rap about that?”

It turns out that authenticity was a major reason he auditioned for the 20th anniversary season of “America’s Got Talent,” hoping to represent cat lovers who often feel misunderstood.

“I just wanted to get on there and represent for the people who don’t have the platform that I have,” he said. “I like to get in front of the camera to show them… you can still be who you are. You don’t have to hide it or feel bad or weird about it.”

When asked what his overall experience was like, Moshow said the energy backstage on “America’s Got Talent” is more electric than viewers may realize. “Behind the scenes, everyone knew who I was, including the producers and even the talent,” he said. “So, it let me know that my work is definitely being seen and such a great time.”

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“America’s Got Talent” judge Sofía Vergara celebrated Thanksgiving with a beautiful meal and a house full of love. The “Modern Family” actress shared several photos from Thanksgiving, showing her looking gorgeous in a chocolate brown two-piece outfit and surrounded by loved ones. 

Sofía Vergara Celebrates Thanksgiving With Her Son

Vergara shared the post on Instagram, captioning it with a turkey and red heart emoji. She shared no further insight into what was happening in her pictures, but she didn’t need to. In one snap, she poses next to her adult son, Manolo Gonzalez Vergara. He is 34. 

The photos also show the family sitting down for a meal at a long table, and the dining room is complete with a stunning chandelier. It looked like a fancy evening, but also a cozy and joyful one. 

Fans have used the post’s comment section to wish Vergara a Happy Thanksgiving and to comment on how handsome her son is and how she has a “beautiful family.” There are even marriage proposals for Manolo.

There are also reactions praising the actress for her beauty. “Hello @sofiavergara you always look stunning,” a comment reads. “You’re perfect,” another fan raved. 

Sofia Vergara Comments on Motherhood

For many fans, it is hard to believe Vergara has a son in his mid-thirties. She was 19 when she gave birth to Manolo, and she has previously discussed her feelings about being a young mom. 

“It is great that I had him young, because now I’m going to be 52, and he’s 32,” she told People in an interview in 2024. “I wish I was older sometimes, because I would’ve been more mature, more prepared to be a mother, but that was what I got and what happened. So I just kept going and try not to look back at it, because it is what it is. But it is fun because I kind of grew up together with my son.” 

She is content with having only one child, and that is one of the reasons her marriage to Joe Manganiello ended. “There’s things in life that might sound like good ideas, but they’re not,” she said. “I was a mother already. I know what it means to be a good mother or to try to be the best mother that you can, and that takes a lot of sacrifices, takes a lot of energy.” She may not want any more children, but she is excited to become a grandmother in the future. 

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The tragic passing of Liam Payne continues to sadden One Direction fans and the world at large. Now, over a year later, Simon Cowell, the band’s founder, recently reflected on how he learned of his death. The “America’s Got Talent” judge is also sharing what he did after receiving the somber news.

Cowell appeared on a November 2025 episode of The New York Times’ The Interview podcast. While on the show, the topic of Payne and his passing came up. Regarding how he learned of it, the “America’s Got Talent” judge said, “Somebody who works with me very closely came into my room.”

He continued, “I was up in the north of England, and I could tell by the look of her face that she was upset. She said, ‘Sit down,’ and she told me.” Cowell then said, “It was like — wow.”

Cowell went on, “It was a bit like I felt when I heard the news when my dad passed away. It’s very difficult to put into words how you feel. It’s just shock. At that point, you’re not really thinking clearly. I just remember saying: ‘I really need to speak to his mum and dad. Can you get them on the phone as soon as possible, please?'”

He then recalled a conversation with Payne from a year before his passing. In it, the former One Direction member shared with Cowell “how much it means to be a dad.”

Cowell said, “I was talking to him about there’s more to life than just music; you’ve got to a point in your life where you’ve got choice now. We just hung out as friends. That’s why I was so shocked and surprised when I heard the news.”

Liam Payne Passed Away in October 2024

Sadly, Payne passed away on October 16, 2024, while in Argentina. One year after his death, his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, took to Instagram to pay tribute to his life.

Cassidy posted a photo of them together. She said in the caption, “Today marks a full year without you here. I will forever hate goodbyes. I miss you, Liam.”

His sister, Ruth Gibbins, also made a heartfelt Instagram post. She began, “1year, 12months, 52weeks, 365days… whichever way I say it, it still means the most heartbreaking truth that you’re not here any more.”

She continued, “When you used to go away on tour, and l’d cry that you’d be gone for a while, I always knew you’d come back, but now I can’t get you home, I can’t meet up with you somewhere in the world, I can’t FaceTime or text to see how you’re doing, it’s an eternal homesick feeling because we can’t go back.”

Gibbins went on, remarking on how the grief associated with Payne’s passing still “paralysed” her.

Two of the Former One Direction Members Are Teaming Up

Each one of the remaining One Direction members- Harry Styles, Zayne Malik, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson- has been careful to keep Payne’s legacy alive. Not only have these been mentions of some sort of music-related reunion, according to Variety, Malik and Tomlinson are teaming up.

The two former bandmates are planning to release a road trip documentary on Netflix in 2026. The documentary will find them traveling across America, and the press release says the trip includes “reconnection, exploration, and a lot of laughter.”

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Simon Cowell, known for his tough critiques on “American Idol” and “America’s Got Talent,” opened up about what he’s really like off-camera.

In an interview with “Rolling Stone Music Now” podcast, Cowell, 66, revealed there’s much more to him than what viewers see from behind the judges’ desk.

Simon Cowell on Being Brutally Honest: ‘I’m Not Going to Give Fake Hope’

Cowell acknowledged that people see him as brutally honest, especially when judging these talent shows. But he made it clear that he has no regrets about it.

“Look, every one of us is gonna say at one point, God, I shouldn’t have said that,” Cowell told the outlet. “But it’s kinder to be really clear to someone who has zero talent.”

The “American Idol” judge explained that talent shows are supposed to be honest, and he’s not going to sugarcoat his words just to give people false hope.

Cowell added that his brutal honesty has no exceptions, not even his family.

“If Eric, my son, said, ‘Dad, I want to be a singer,’ and he sang to me and every note was outta tune, I would say, ‘Darling, you can’t sing.’ I wouldn’t lie to him,” he said.

Cowell Reveals He’s ‘Aged Backwards’

In the same interview, Simon revealed how he wants to be remembered, especially when it comes to his physical appearance. The “America’s Got Talent” judge revealed he’s been going to a wellness clinic where he undergoes procedures to help maintain his body.

“I go to this wellness clinic where they actually take your blood, they rinse it, they filter it, they put it back into your body,” Cowell explained. “I’ve actually aged backwards by eating better, more exercise, less stress.”

Cowell also dished on his supposed plan to “live forever” by freezing himself.

“I actually was gonna freeze myself once because I thought why not?” he said. “But then I found out you basically come back in 2,000 years as a floating head.”

Cowell added that he wants to be remembered as someone “who’s always worked hard” and “nice to everyone” he’s met.

“I’ve met a lot of people who are nice on camera [but] are absolute monsters off camera,” he shared. “I am the same person on and off camera.”

Cowell’s new Netflix talent-hunt show “Simon Cowell: The Next Act” premieres on December 10. The show follows him on his journey to form a new boy band, bringing together 16 boys in Miami.

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Former “American Idol” judge Simon Cowell helped the reality singing competition become the huge success it is today, and fans loved seeing him as a judge on the show. In 2002, “American Idol” crowned its first winner, Kelly Clarkson, and she has become a gigantic star. 

Simon Cowell Praises Kelly Clarkson 

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There have been some incredible and memorable winners from “American Idol,” but Clarkson is undeniably one of the most successful stars to emerge from the show. From an impressive music career to her very own talk show, she is loved by fans for her talents and personality. Cowell reflected on her win in an interview with Rolling Stone on November 24. 

Clarkson’s inclusion on “American Idol” ultimately made it successful in its first season, and Cowell is thrilled they found her. “Oh, it was like a dream,” he told the publication in response to a question about getting it right with Clarkson. “I do remember actually saying to someone, hypothetically, ‘I’m certain there’s someone out there and he or she’s probably working in a bar, has tried to get a deal, can’t get into the right people or the label, but is brilliant.’ I just had that feeling. It took a while to get there. Some of the early people we saw in the first couple of cities — everyone was terrible. So I thought this show could be a disaster.” 

Cowell may initially have had concerns about the level of talent who would sign on for the singing competition, but Clarkson changed everything. “You couldn’t have asked for a more perfect winner,” he said of Clarkson. “And we’re still friends today. She’s a amazing person, incredible personality. And just this killer voice. It was like a movie. I just wish it wasn’t the guy. There was this other girl, Tamara, and she was phenomenal, and the two of them in the final [episode], that could have been amazing, but it didn’t quite work out.”

Simon Cowell Discusses Competitors on ‘American Idol’

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In the finale of Season 1, Clarkson went up against Justin Guarini for the win. Cowell also commented on Guarini, who has had some success in the industry but not on the same level as Clarkson. Cowell told Rolling Stone that Guarini had not been good enough competition for Clarkson, adding, “I think he would be the first to admit it himself.”

But you don’t always have to win a competition to have a successful career. Jennifer Hudson is the perfect example of this. She competed on Season 3 of “American Idol” and was voted off before the finals. When asked whether her early elimination indicated a problem with the show’s process, Cowell reflected on it and said Hudson’s elimination was the result of a song choice. 

“I said, ‘don’t sing that song — I just don’t think it’s gonna resonate,’” Cowell, who is also a judge on “America’s Got Talent,” said. “So when it happened, yeah, there was an uproar because she was so good. In a weird way, it was the best thing that could have ever happened to her because there was such an outcry that she got that part in [Dreamgirls]. What was so funny was everybody thought I was somehow responsible for her being voted out.  I wasn’t the one who was voting!”

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Former “American Idol” judge Simon Cowell has built an incredible empire in the music and entertainment industries, but what do fans really know about his personal life? Cowell is giving fans a closer look into his private life with the creation of the Netflix docuseries, “Simon Cowell. The Next Act.” 

Simon Cowell & Lauren Silverman On The Small Screen 

Cowell has been responsible for some of the biggest bands in music history, notably with One Direction and with the Spice Girls. In his new six-episode show, “Simon Cowell. The Next Act,” Cowell, the “America’s Got Talent” judge, will focus on trying to find the next big boy band. 

The Netflix show will also give a glimpse into Cowell’s relationship with partner Lauren Silverman. Cowell and Silverman have been together since 2013 and share their son, Eric, who was born in 2014. However, she is notoriously private and prefers to stay out of the limelight. This is why her starring in Cowell’s new series is such a big deal. 

Cowell posted an official trailer on Instagram on Tuesday, November 25. “And here it is…Simon Cowell: The Next Act December 10 on @netflix,” he wrote in the caption. Fans have flooded the comment section with their thoughts. 

“Watching this will be my guilty pleasure,” a comment reads. “This looks great! Cant wait to watch,” another person shared. Other reactions include, “We just want xfactor back simon its not christmas without it,” “Oh soo excited to watch this!,” and “Bring it on it’s time!!!”

Lauren Silverman Makes First IG Post 

Footage of the docuseries has been shared on Instagram. A new account on the social media platform has been created by Lauren Cowell, which Daily Mail reports belongs to Silverman. The account is not verified at this time and has only a few hundred followers. Could it be the real Silverman behind it? If so, the change in her name may also hint at her marital status, and she may have married Cowell. The pair have been engaged since 2021. 

The account claiming to be Silverman shared her thoughts on the show in a Tuesday, November 25, Instagram post. The post features a trailer of the upcoming series. She accompanied the post with a lengthy Instagram caption. 

“My first instagram post!,” she wrote. “Everyone who knows me, knows how private I am, so the past two years on this project has been such a new experience. This is something we have been working on as a family every day, and I am SO proud of Simon and the whole team. It’s terrifying but so exciting at the same time, and I really hope you all love the series when it drops on @netflix December 10! Lauren X.”

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Simon Cowell is speaking out after renewed public discussion surrounding the death of former One Direction member Liam Payne. In recent interviews, Cowell addressed speculation that he carried responsibility for Payne’s struggles and said the narrative does not reflect the relationship they shared. He emphasized that Payne deserves to be remembered for his accomplishments and the joy he brought to fans around the world.

Cowell discussed the topic in a recent interview with Rolling Stone, where he said he understood why Payne’s passing affected so many people but rejected the idea that he played a harmful role in the singer’s life. He said the claims surprised him because his memories of Payne remained warm and positive.

Cowell Reflects on His Last Meeting With Payne

Cowell told Rolling Stone that he last saw Payne about a year before his death, when the singer visited Cowell’s home. He said they spoke about fatherhood, work, and finding balance outside the pressures of the music industry. According to Rolling Stone, Cowell encouraged Payne to pursue passions beyond music and to avoid letting the industry define him.

Cowell said the visit left him optimistic and that he believed Payne was moving in a good direction. He added that Payne’s parents recently shared that their son remained proud of the milestones he reached during his career. Cowell said those comments touched him deeply and reminded him of how hard Payne worked to succeed.

Page Six reported that Cowell described the loss as heartbreaking and said he wanted people to focus on Payne’s life rather than the tragedy surrounding his death. Cowell said he no longer reads comments or rumors online because doing so only deepens grief and confusion.

The Music Mogul Rejects Negative Narratives

Cowell also addressed claims that industry figures should shoulder blame for Payne’s struggles. He told Rolling Stone that responsibility for an artist’s personal life cannot be placed on someone years after a professional relationship ends. He said he believed such narratives distract from Payne’s accomplishments and the affection fans still express.

The Daily Mail reported that Cowell spoke candidly about wanting the public to honor Payne’s talent and the way he connected with others. Cowell said he hoped people remember the singer for his voice, his dedication, and the moments of happiness he created for millions.

As conversations continue, Cowell remains focused on directing attention back to Payne’s music and legacy. He said honoring the positive parts of Payne’s life is the best way to move forward, both for fans and for those who knew him personally.

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What happens in Vegas doesn’t stay in Vegas for Sofia Vergara and Orlando Bloom.

The duo set fans buzzing as they partied with close pals in Sin City over the weekend.

Vergara, 53, took to Instagram to share photos from the fun night out with Bloom. For the outing, the “Modern Family” star rocked a figure-hugging corset top paired with denim jeans, finishing the look with glamorous makeup and sleek, straight hair. Meanwhile, Bloom kept it casual with a black crewneck and cap.

In one of the photos, Vergara was all smiles as she posed next to Rita Ora, filmmaker Mohammed Al Turki, and celebrity stylist Law Roach.  Another snap showed Vergara beaming next to Bloom, who also smiled for the camera.

“Adios Vegas!” Vergara captioned the post.

Fans React to Sofia Vergara & Orlando Bloom’s Fun Night Out

Meanwhile, fans took to the comment section to share their thoughts about the unexpected friendship between Vergara and Bloom.

One fan wrote, “Am I seeing wrong? Is that Orlando Bloom?”

Another commented, “Orlando and Rita????, I’m sure it was a very nice time!!”

Someone added, “Awesome times! I love the way you live life to the fullest! Keep working it hermosa!”

A fan shared, “It’s great to see you with Orlando Bloom. Beautiful people.”

Sofia Vergara & Orlando Bloom Enjoy Life After Past Relationships

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Vergara and Bloom appear to have embraced the single life after their splits from their respective partners.

The “America’s Got Talent” judge called it quits with her ex-husband Joe Manganiello back in 2023. The two got divorced after seven years of marriage.

“We have made the difficult decision to divorce,” the former couple told Page Six in a joint statement. “As two people that love and care for one another very much, we politely ask for respect of our privacy at this time as we navigate this new phase of our lives.”

Recently, Vergara sparked dating rumors with businessman Douglas Chabbott. The two were spotted together on numerous occasions, including Vergara’s 53rd birthday at Nammos in Sardinia, per the Daily Mail.

Meanwhile, Bloom parted ways with Katy Perry earlier this year after nine years together. The two share a daughter together, Daisy Dove Bloom, and are now focused on co-parenting.

While Perry appears to have moved on with former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Bloom has yet to go public with a new romance.

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Jerry O’Connell and John Stamos surprised fans when they reunited at Howie Mandel’s 70th birthday party and appeared to move past the tension that had kept them distant for years. Their selfie, posted over the weekend, marked a public thaw in a feud rooted in personal history, emotional fallout and a memoir that reopened old wounds.

The actors had not been photographed together since Stamos released his 2023 memoir, “If You Would Have Told Me.” In it, Stamos described the emotional turmoil surrounding his divorce from actress Rebecca Romijn, who later married O’Connell. Stamos wrote about feeling insecure during the marriage and reflected on the pain he carried after the split. Entertainment Weekly reported that O’Connell previously said he did not plan to read the book and that parts of it upset members of his family.

A Rift Years in the Making

The back-and-forth between both sides became public shortly after the memoir’s release. Stamos told Entertainment Weekly that the divorce had “shattered” him and that he struggled to process the end of the relationship. O’Connell mentioned on “The Talk” that his daughters asked questions about the memoir after headlines highlighted Stamos’ comments about Romijn. The situation created a prolonged chill between the two families, and both actors kept their distance.

The pair reunited at Mandel’s milestone birthday party, where they took a selfie with Stamos’ wife, Caitlin McHugh. O’Connell shared the photo on Instagram and acknowledged the unexpected nature of the moment with a lighthearted caption. Stamos also reposted the picture on his own page.

Mandel commented under O’Connell’s post and joked that he was responsible for bringing them together. “This is what I do. I bring people together,” he wrote.

A Public Reset

Fans quickly noticed the change and reacted positively across social platforms. Many commented that they were glad to see the actors appear on good terms again, especially after such a prolonged public rift. Both Stamos and O’Connell looked relaxed in the photo, which added to the sense that the tension had eased.

Neither actor explained how the reconciliation unfolded or whether they spoke privately before the event. Still, the selfie indicated that they were willing to move past the earlier dispute. It also marked their first public interaction since the feud began and suggested that both sides were ready to lower the temperature.

While it remains unclear whether the actors plan to address the situation further, their appearance together reflects a clear shift from where their relationship stood in recent years and signals that the long-running conflict may finally be settling.

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