Rumors have been swirling for some time that "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell is engaged to his girlfriend of about a year, Mezhgan Hussainy. Cowell himself has denied said rumors, but Hussainy recently spilled the beans that Cowell did, in fact, propose and that the two are now officially engaged.
The pair met several years ago while they were both working on "Idol" - she as the head make-up artist, and he as a judge. They became a couple after Cowell's previous relationship ended. The two are already living together, and Hussainy has hinted that the wedding will take place soon - probably within the year.
It seems there is already drama stirring up on the set of "American Idol" between Simon Cowell and Ellen DeGeneres. Simon arrived more than 90 minutes late to the first taping of the show, causing Ellen and the other judges to waste their time waiting for the veteran judge.
According to the Sun Times, Ellen was especially irritated due to her very tight schedule. She has already moved had to change her schedule to accommodate “American Idol”, including moving up the taping of her own talk show. With Simon leaving at the end of the season, “Idol” isn’t worried about leaking his bad habits anymore. A source told Pop Eater, "You should expect many more nasty leaks about Simon. The show no longer feels the need to protect him. Simon has been late for years and is baffled that all of a sudden, after he announces he is leaving the show, leaks to the press have started to occur."
Possible replacements for Simon are also beginning to surface. The Sun Times reported that the “Idol” producers want the new judge to have major music industry credibility. Replacements could include Tommy Mottola, Guy Oseary (Madonna’s business partner), and Jimmy Lovine.
American Idol and X Factor judge Simon Cowell was determined to buy the perfect birthday present for Alexandra Burke - who found fame after winning the UK TV talent show X Factor last year - and knew she had her eyes on a padded black Chanel handbag.
Even though the pricey accessory has a year-long waiting list, Simon managed to charm his way to the top.
Alexandra, who turned 21 on Tuesday, was speechless when Simon presented her with the gift.
"Alex was in tears," a source said. "Simon called in a few favors to make her day extra special. Things just couldn't be better for her."
The other X Factor judges - Cheryl Cole, who was Alexandra's mentor on the show, and Dannii Minogue - also splashed out on lavish gifts for the singer.
Cheryl treated her to a vacation at the Constance Lemuria resort in the Seychelles, while Dannii gave her a gray Tabitha bag.
Alexandra had a number one Christmas hit on the UK singles chart after appearing on the show, with her cover of 'Hallelujah'.
Her new single 'Bad Boys', which features rapper Flo Rida, will be out on October 12.
Inside one day - inside hours of Paula Abdul's announcement that she's through on American Idol, giving up what seemed a big pay day and in spite of not earning as much as Simon or Ryan ...her knight in shining armor has arrived in the form of NBC. And if NBC doesn't work out, she has CBS in the wings.
According to Paul Telegdy NBC is interested in Paula and Telegdy is "absolutely" interested showcasing Paula in the NBC lineup. In a quote to the post, "Is it something I have given thought to? Yeah. I think she is a huge talent. America has huge affection for her. I don't have specifics about shows or show ideas."
Telegdy also revealed that he had talked to Paula Abdul prior to her quitting Idol stating she pitched shows "in her wheelhouse," i.e. dancing competitions.
So did Paula have this all planned out in advance? She did walk away from a salary that could drown a horse but in the face of Ryan Seacrest's and Simon Cowells greater income levels, she felt slighted and more deserving of a lesser pay. If she does score a show on NBC, will she reveal her new salary for Seacrest and Cowell to take notice of?
Whatever it is, it better work. Outside of American Idol Paula has come up empty. Her attempt to restart her music career flopped, her 2007 reality show on Bravo was an embarrassment, even her jewelry on Home Shopping Network failed to break out. Meanwhile the National Enquirer has reported that Abdul has been in secret negotiations for her own talk show with CBS. Quoting an Enquirer source, "Paula's been dreaming about having her own talk show for three years, and she's ready to make it a reality."
If you think about it, day time talk is where Paula may land and should land. Her honest straight talk, and unpredictable nature would be a ratings winner for any broadcaster.
It's not even been two days since Paula Abdul's new agent (David Sonenberg) proclaimed Paula was offended by not being offered a new contract with the next season of Idol just around the bend.
What does he do? Asks for 20 million on behalf of Paula. It's a brazen and brave move to assume the position of power but is it really just bravado?
Sources close to Radar Online report that Idol producers have in fact offered Paula closer to half of what her agents demands. If this is true, then Sonenberg is really just after media attention and trying to drum up sympathy.
The only question there is now is this; do the producers of Idol want Paula back? If not, she's going to have mud on her face (and worse no job) thanks to her new agent. If Idol does want her back, it's just a question of what is she really worth to the show? Perhaps she should stop thinking about Seacreast's payday and concentrate on her own. Someone needs to remind her that we are indeed in a recession and I'd gladly take 10 million for sitting on a panel and judging wanna be pop stars.
Simon Cowell wants to produce a remake of the 1977 disco film, Saturday Night Fever, and he wants Zac Efron for the lead role. In the original film John Travolta was the lead role of Tony Manero, who disco danced to Bee Gee's songs. In Simon's remake hip-hop producer, Timberland, will rework some of the Bee Gee's hits.
Simon is working with producer Robert Stigwood to obtain rights to the film. Nothing about the film has been set in stone yet. When Simon can meet the expectations of Robert Stigwood contracts will begin to get signed. Will Zac be game for another film in which he must sing and dance? He has recently turned down Footloose because he no longer wants to do those types of films.
Yesterday Simon Cowell told Oprah that he believes Adam Lambert will win this season of American Idol. What was his reason behind this prediction? "He's got swagger," Cowell said. He also expressed this same thing on Ellen DeGeneres' show last week. So in Simon's mind Danny and Kris do not stand a chance. Each of the remaining contestants are very strong, but Adam does seem to have something more that sets him apart.
But the winner is ultimately the result of America's voting, will this prediction of Simon's affect America's voting tonight? American Idol often has unpredictable results and since the judges already used their save Simon can not alter the voting outcome.
THIS is great! It's very rare that Simon Cowell is rendered speechless. It seems he always has something to say about a poor singer performing on stage hoping to become the next superstar! Well, in case you haven't seen her all over entertainment shows and the Internet, here is Susan Boyle, a 47-year old contestant on Britain's Got Talent.
The Scotland native wowed everyone in attendance at her audition, and she's continued to impress Web viewers that have come across her performance on YouTube. It's received over 12 million hits! That's pretty huge - we wanted to share the video with you below! A lesson to Simon Cowell: don't judge a book by its cover! What do you think about this contestant? Does she have what it takes to be a superstar? These days, is singing enough or do you have to have "the whole package" to become a successful celebrity?
Yes, you read it right. Not only has the show run out of steam, the final blow is the insider rumor that the show is FIXED! The final four have already been chosen. (See above: Gokey, Grace, Lambert, Rounds). How is all this possible?
Let's face it folks. For the most part the contestants are entertainers, not artist. We have seen over the years the questionable talent that moved up the ranks. The show has fought to prove itself a talent show and not a popularity contest and in that vain, it seems staffers from the inside are beginning to leak that information to the press. Various columnist are reporting that an American Idol staffer is seeking audience with any member of the press they can find to reveal the show has already picked its final four contestants: (see photo above - left to right) Danny Gokey, Alexis Grace, Adam Lambert, and Lil Rounds. While these four are speculated to be the final four by various publications, the American Idol staff member is attempting to prove without a shadow of doubt the show is fixed by providing talking points between producers outlining they feel Lambert and Rounds as winners would be a repeat of prior selections. The show once again backs itself into the corner of popularity contest and not talent by way of Gokey's heartbreaking story of losing his wife recently to a tragic heart surgery. Fox is playing off this sentimental note and regardless of Gokey's talent, this is factoring into to their programming.
Last year David Archuleta implied the show was fixed when in early seasons Ryan Seacrest didn't get numbers straight on votes but still knew who the finalist needed to be.
With constant news like this and past gaffes by Paula Abdul where she seemed to indicate the show was fixed...(reading notes of performances that had not taken place on TV yet) it's all adding up.
Simon Cowell is yet to finalize plans for Dannii Minogue to return to The X Factor.
The music mogul isn’t sure the Aussie judge, 37, wants a place on the panel following the tension between her and Louis Walsh, 56, during the 2008 series.
‘I’m going to sit down in January and ask everyone if they want to come back on the show,’ Simon, 49, tells the News Of The World.
‘Dannii and I have genuinely never discussed her coming back. I’ve not sat down with anyone and discussed coming back – including her. If Dannii says no then there’s always someone new, and that applies to everyone.’
But Simon has hinted that he’d like supermodel Kate Moss, 34, to join the team.
‘She could do something. For sure,’ he tells the Sunday Mirror.
‘Anyone with the experience of surviving in this business would be great. I’ve learned not to rule anything out. It’s the unexpected, the bizarre, that’s what makes it interesting.’
Simon Cowell has agreed to give Terri Seymour the luxury apartment he bought in the summer.
The X Factor judge handed over the £2.3million Beverly Hills property as a 'goodbye gift' after their split.
He is also reported to have given her a lump sum of £2.5 million in cash.
‘Simon thinks the world of Terri and that isn't going to change,' a source tells Life & Style. 'He also understands her reason for ending it.'
The property boasts 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and impressive views across the city.
Simon, who is estimated to be worth a staggering £130 million due to the success of shows American Idol and Britain's Got Talent, says their relationship didn't work out because she wanted to settle down and have kids.
Simon Cowell has split from girlfriend Terri Seymour after 6 years together.
The X Factor supremo is said to be relieved that their romance has come to an end.
'Simon has basically been waiting for Terri to announce the relationship is over for months,' a friend reveals.
'She has been a weight around his neck for a long time but the problem was that his mother absolutely adored Terri and thought the world of her,so Simon was in a bit of a rut.'
The TV presenter, 34, shared 48-year-old Simon's Beverly Hills mansion but moved out into a luxury LA pad he bought for her this summer. She is now rumoured to be dating actor Stephen Dorff.
'She wanted kids with Simon desperately, but he wasn’t interested in starting a family or getting married,' the source tells The Mail On Sunday.
'All Simon cares about is being the richest, most successful man on the planet. Celebrity and money are all that he cares about.'
Simon Cowell is said to be furious with Dannii Minogue's behaviour on The X Factor.
The judges were good pals last year, but is seems this year everything has changed.
Simon's ex-girlfriend Sinitta reckons their friendship is at breaking point.
'Things are getting really bad between Simon and Dannii. He's continually taking swipes at her,’ she says.
'He doesn't like the fact that she's come into this series all cocky from winning it last year, saying: "I'm going to win it again."
'And she's been criticising him on live TV, which isn't a good idea.'
Sinitta, 40, even thinks Simon, 49, is deliberately forgetting the names of her acts.
'Last year it was all about Simon caring for Dannii and protecting her from Sharon Osbourne, but this year he hardly notices she exists and it's annoying her,' she tells the Daily Mail.
'Simon is forgetting the name of Dannii's acts on purpose to undermine her. I wouldn't be surprised if he pretends to forget her name this week!’
Girls Aloud star had to toughen up for The X Factor
Cheryl Cole has revealed Simon Cowell thought she was a pushover when she first started on The X Factor.
The Girls Aloud star, who replaced judge Sharon Osbourne, 55, admits she was too weak in the beginning.
‘I was saying yes to tone deaf people for about four hours on the first day,’ she tells Radio 1. 'And I was trying to make people feel more comfortable.
‘It got to the point where Simon said “you're making yourself look silly. You need to be honest, don't patronise people, just be honest”.
‘I felt a bit out of my depth at first. I was terrified and definitely had reservations, but once I got into it I loved it.’
Meanwhile, Cheryl, 25, wants to buy her home football team Newcastle United following owner Mike Ashley's decision to sell the club.
But she reckons she needs bandmates Sarah Harding, 26, Nadine Coyle, 23, Nicola Roberts, 22, and Kimberley Walsh, 26, to contribute.
Ever wondered who makes the most on TV? We know they all make a ridiculous amount of money but exactly how much? Here is the breakdown of the highest paid people on TV..
Charlie Sheen makes a ridiculous $800,000 an episode for his TV show Two and a Half Men, which makes him the highest paid actor on a series. And after filming 23 episodes a year he banks just under $20 million a year. The NO.2 spot goes to fellow CBS star William Petersen, who makes $600,000 an episode for portraying investigator Gil Grissom on the "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation."
As for the highest paid actresses Mariska Hargitay was No. 1 for TV drama, earning $400,000 an episode for her role as a detective on NBC's "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit." TNT's "The Closer" star KyraSedgwick makes the No.2 spot, earning $275,000 per episode.
But that seems like couch change when you throw the Kings and Queen of TV in the mix. Oprah was named 2008's most powerful celebrity by Forbes magazine. She earns $385 million a year for hosting her daytime talk show.American Idol's most hated judge, Simon Cowell judge earns $50 million per year, and CBS late-night host David Letterman has an annual salary of $32 million. All numbers according to TV guide.
Simon Cowell's rep has rubbished claims The X Factor judge has broken up with his squeeze Terri Seymour.
A mag reported he had a massive row with his long-term girlfriend, which resulted in him banning her from a holiday.
Simon allegedly ditched TV presenter Terri to go to St Tropez with his ex Sinitta, 39, and hypnotist Paul McKenna, 44,
And he was said to have bought her a £2.3million LA home as a 'parting gift'.
But his rep insists everything's fine between the pair.
'This story is nonsense,' his spokesman tells Metro. 'Simon's trip was planned and Terri couldn't make it because she had scheduled work in the States.'
Brooke White was the latest to exit the American Idol stage, leaving just four contestants to sing their way to the top.
The former nanny had been in the bottom for several weeks, and her fate was perhaps sealed after Tuesday's Neil Diamond night performance of "I'm a Believer," which judge Simon Cowell called a "nightmare."
Prior to her elimination, host Ryan Seacrest asked White how she recovered from the criticism of her first song to perform her second song, "I Am... I Said."
"I'm happy to be here," White said. "Finally last night, I just kicked into that happy, grateful mode."
The emotional songstress was paired with Syesha Mercado in the bottom two, and when she was eliminated, she told fans "I just wanna say 'thank you.'"
Her exit leaves Mercado, David Archuleta, Jason Castro and Jason Cook vying to be named the next American Idol.
Seacrest also addressed some vague, unspecified Internet rumors regarding judge Paula Abdul's gaffe on Tuesday.
"It sparked a lot of gossip about Paula," Seacrest said. "I read some of this online this morning and, just for the record, the rumors - they're not true. She's part of our family and we love her."
During the call-in section of the show, judge Simon Cowell's first kiss, Tara, was on the line. The now 46-year-old said of then 9-year-old Cowell, "He'd taken me to the bottom of his garden... It was very cute and it was very memorable. We were just kids. We didn't know what we were doing!"
"I saw him on American Idol and [I thought] wow, that's amazing," she told People later of her decision to call. "It was just one of those This is Your Life-type situations, and I thought I'd go for it. I hope I didn't embarrass him."
The night also featured performances by Natasha Bedingfield, who sang her hit "Pocketful of Sunshine," and Neil Diamond, who performed "Pretty Amazing Grace."
In other Idol news, a source told Access Hollywood that the show is considering dumping Seacrest to boost falling ratings. Recent studio-sponsored audience surveys also focused on the host, asking the questions "I like the interaction between Ryan and the contestants" and "I like the interaction between the judges and Ryan."
"Ryan is so busy turning himself into a diverse brand, one that has longevity, it wouldn't come as a surprise to think that he isn't worried about his job security with Idol," a source close to Seacrest told MSNBC.com.
But his rep refused to comment on the speculation and another source said the survey questions "fall under the leave-no-stone-unturned category more than anything else."
Rumors have been swirling for some time that "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell is engaged to his girlfriend of about a year, Mezhgan Hussainy. Cowell himself has denied said rumors, but Hussainy recently spilled the beans that Cowell did, in fact, propose and that the two are now officially engaged.
