Simon Cowell didn't want to be there for Susan Boyle, he tells Oprah

Those who've seen the picture above of Simon Cowell seemingly captivated during Susan Boyle's Internet-stopping "Britain's Got Talent" audition should know there's some cranky-Brit back story.

Cowell told Oprah Winfrey on her show Thursday that before Boyle started singing, he was in a bad mood and didn't want to be there. Didn't think they'd find anyone good. And it showed.

"When I watched the clip back, I actually hated myself. We're all sneering; we're not listening," he said. "I didn't like what I saw. It was a wake-up call, and I was happy she made us look stupid, because we deserved it."

And yes, he says, boredom is one factor in his decision to leave "American Idol," he says. Big problem: He can't hide it when he's bored, and the audience "deserves more than that." He's also excited about the U.S. version of "X Factor" in part because there's no upper age limit -- a notion that should intrigue many Ministry commenters.

Especially the "Glee" fans.

Want some dishy stuff about how, unlike Mezhgan Husseini, he could never handle being Simon Cowell's girlfriend? Get it here. 

— Christie D'Zurilla

Photo: "With childlike enthusiasm and wonderment, Simon Cowell listens to a surprise talent, Susan Boyle, on the ITV show, Britain's Got Talent." At least that's how this picture is billed by the folks who provided it. Credit: ITV.

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Comments

[Brenda]

He's a fast learner. It only took what, 7 or 8 years of judging talent shows to learn that people don't have to look a certain way to have talent?
He's an arrogant man who still hasn't learned anything, and neither did any of the other judges, who, by the way, have no talent themselves.

[Brenda]

He's a fast learner. He's only been judging talent shows for 7-8 years, and already he knows that he shouldn't be too quick to judge and that people who aren't anorexic and are over 20 might be able to sing.
What a guy!
Maybe it's time the other judges learn that lesson too, Osbourne and Holden in particular. Plastic fakes.

[Malcom]

When will we see the full clip of Boyle's audition where the 'good guys' - Holden and Morgan criticize Boyle before she sings? Hence their contrition after she sings. That's why she tried to get off stage after the song - to avoid being judged by the three after what they'd done to her prior to singing.

[Christy]

Yes, Malcolm - from the reports of people who were there at Susan Boyle's audition, it was horrible before she sang. Amanda, in particular, was joking and laughing, asking her to "dance like Britney," etc. They tried to stop her from singing IDAD, tried to get her to sing other things, joked about her home town. Given all of this, it's remarkable that she held it together to sing as wonderfully as she did. Shows what she's made of, despite suggestions that she's supposedly "fragile." It also explains why Amanda now refers to her as "a fighter, more than anything else."

[Jennifer]

Too bad about Idol, but without Simon (and Paula), it's toast. We'd be bummed beyond belief about Simon leaving if it weren't for X Factor coming to the U.S. Yeah! Awesome show! I hope he brings everyone with him, Cheryl, Louis, Danni, Dermot, Holly, Sinitta. Probably won't. Probably will "Americanize" it - bleh, but maybe some of them? Cool thing about X Factor is the judges mentor, do Judges' Houses, groups are allowed, the production values allowed to contestants are AWESOME! Lots more, but so good and can't WAIT! :-D

[Sophie]

Oh, that's terrible to hear about what Amanda did to Susan before she sang. Amanda has always been my favorite judge from any of these shows because of her compassion, but that just really upsets me.

[Cisco]

This coming from Simon...who gave us IL Divo (gggaaaaagggg!!!)

[trennie]

Yeah, I've heard that story about Amanda and Piers. They were far worse than Simon. And I think you're right. After Susan Boyle brought the audience to their feet with her triumphant performance she blew them a kiss, ignored the judges and walked off, as much as to say, "Screw you".

[Wynn Davis]

I watched the original clip of Susan Boyle's audition of April 16, 2009. The original held an air of complete surprise and amazement. And each time I watched and re-watched, the orginal clip gave me heart-stopping feelings of surprise and amazement. WOW! It was a glorious clip. Later I went back to the same websites looking for the original clip again. But the clip was gone, replaced by glitzy, showcased, glamorized versions, dull by comparison. Whoever replaced the original, I just have one question: WHY?