Simon Cowell furious with diva Mariah Carey

Simon Cowell was furious after superstar Mariah Carey threw X-Factor rehearsals into chaos - by keeping contestants waiting THREE HOURS for a surprise mentoring session.

The hopefuls had to sit in the bar at London's posh Dorchester hotel waiting for the US singer, 38. And when they did meet Mariah most were so overcome they CRIED with emotion.

But Cowell blew his top when Friday's meeting made them all late for rehearsals - and 16-year-old Eoghan Quigg had to miss them altogether because he's not allowed on set after 7pm on weekdays.

An X Factor insider said: "Simon was furious about the delays and really annoyed with Mariah. He just wanted the hopefuls to meet the star and get back to the studios.

"He got so frustrated at one stage he ordered an assistant to go to the Dorchester and order the contestants into their limos."

Via mirror.co.uk

Simon Cowell Splits with Girlfriend

Simon Cowell and longtime girlfriend Terri Seymour have split, Cowell's rep confirms to PEOPLE.

"Terri phoned Simon and finished it in September, about six weeks ago," says Cowell's rep, Max Clifford. "They are going to remain close friends. Simon thinks the world of Terri and that isn't going to change. He also understands her reason for ending it."

The couple were together for six years. Seymour, 34, first met Cowell, 48, when she was 18, but the couple didn't begin dating until she interviewed him for a show in 2002.

"In the past Terri has said that she wants kids but that just isn't Simon," added Clifford. "Nobody else is involved, certainly not on Simon's side."

The split was first reported by the UK's Daily Mirror.

Via people.com

Emma Noble: 'Simon Cowell is my rock'

Emma Noble has revealed that she has received support trying to get her career back on track from pop mogul Simon Cowell.

According to the Sunday Mirror, the former gameshow host has been speaking to Cowell regarding a TV comeback after the collapse of her marriage to James Major and her son Harry's diagnosis with autism.

She added that she has met the X Factor judge several times and they "have a lot in common".

"We talk as friends do. We talk about my work with charity, about the weather, The X Factor... everything. He'll tell me about his day and I talk about mine," she said.

Via digitalspy.co.uk

Simon Cowell wants David Cook to win American Idol

Simon Cowell has revealed who he’s rooting for to win this season’s American Idol: David Cook.

“I think he’s done more to deserve it over the eleven weeks,” Cowell tells Blender magazine. “He’s taken more risks, he’s done things with certain songs that have been more interesting.

“If I’m gonna base it on who has done the best performances over the live shows, David Cook deserves to win.”

And the contestant he’s least pleased with? Jason Castro. “He just gave up — I get frustrated over that,” the music mogul adds. “There was a classic moment last week.

“We had these callers phone in and I forget what the question was — ‘What do you like?’ — and they just sat there. They couldn’t talk. It was literally un-be-liev-able.

“It’s like they’ve studied the show and they don’t want to put a foot wrong.

“And that’s going to have to change, going forward. I want what I call gobby, talkative people on the show.”

Via showbizspy.com

Britain's Got Talent - Simon Cowell refuses to walk

Simon Cowell has made diva demands during the Britain's Got Talent auditions.

Simon has refused to walk to the venues and has insisted that his car is parked at the entrances of the theatres.

Officials in Birmingham had to remove concrete bollards so he could park where he wanted.

Simon insists on parking so close because he is frightened of being attacked.

A Britain's Got Talent insider told The Sun: "We contacted all the relevant councils and asked them if they could make a special dispensation.

"The producers sorted it out verbally on the phone. Simon doesn't have a special sticker or anything.

"It wasn't always easy as only the Queen and senior members of the Royal Family get to park wherever they like."

Via myparkmag.co.uk

Simon Cowell: ‘Idol’ Lacking ‘Personality’

Simon Cowell has said “American Idol’s” Season 7 cast is devoid of one thing.

“Personality,” the outspoken Brit told Variety earlier this week.

If you’re wondering what Simon means, he said the cast lacks personality as exemplified by how they have presented themselves on the program thus far.

“They are giving very safe answers to questions, making safe song selections,” Simon said. “We are not getting a sense of who they are. We have to try to pull it out of them more.”

Simon also said Michael Johns’ elimination, which was a shock to many – including the singer himself, shouldn’t have been so unexpected.

“You cannot deliver an uninspired performance at the top of the show,” Cowell said. “And you can’t be up there imitating another singer.”

Via acceshollywood.com

Simon Cowell to buy US home for Leona

Simon Cowell has decided to splash out on a $5 million Los Angeles home for Leona Lewis.

The music mogul has told his protégé that she will need a permanent base in the States if she wants to capitalise on her recent international success.

"Simon thinks she is absolutely amazing so he wanted to treat her," a source told The People. "He's so pleased with how hard she works and what a massive success she's become. Even though Simon is very rich, he's careful with money and doesn't like to waste it."

Leona's single 'Bleeding Love' topped the US Billboard chart this week. She is the first British female artist to reach number one in America for more than 20 years.

The insider added: "Leona's a homely girl and isn't at all flash so Simon got the idea to buy her something practical she would use. He sees a bright future for her. He thinks she can become a global star like Shirley Bassey or Whitney Houston."

Via digitalspy.co.uk

Simon Cowell to turn Paul Potts story into Hollywood flick

Britain's Got Talent winner Paul Potts is to have his amazing overnight rise to fame chronicled on film. The movie about the opera sensation will be produced by Simon Cowell, a judge on last year's show and the impresario who steered him to fame following his success in the TV contest.

The music mogul was contacted by bosses at Hollywood's Paramount Pictures suggesting the idea. "This company got that it's another Billy Elliot, a story anyone in the world can understand," said Simon.

Remembering his protege's first audition, Simon added: "I'll never forget how much the room changed when he began singing."

Since then Paul, a former mobile phone salesman from Port Talbot, Glamorgan, has gone on to sell over three million records and sing for the Queen. The tenor, who is headlining 65 concert dates in 13 countries this year, said he couldn't believe his life is being made into a film.

Via hellomagazine.com

Simo Cowell shocked by discovery of bugging device

'American Idol' judge Simon Cowell is at the centre of a police investigation after he discovered his TV set had been bugged.

Police were called to the Palace Theatre in Manchester, England, after the music mogul spotted the high-tech listening device in the corner of the room.

The star was using the hotel to audition members of the public for his forthcoming UK-based reality TV contest 'Britain's Got Talent'.

It is now feared Cowell, and his fellow judges, journalist Piers Morgan and actress Amanda Holden, were the target of an underground betting ring trying to glean information about possible winners through their private conversations.

"I am absolutely shocked that someone tried to bug me," he said. "It is incredible the lengths some people will go to to try and get inside information about myself and the other judges.

"Nobody knows what they intended to do with the information they got from recording our conversations - but it is a concern that they were able to breach security."

Police in the city have launched an inquiry and a man has been arrested in connection with the investigation.

Via iol.ie