Simon Cowell opens up to Stephen Bartlett this June as he appears on the Diary of a CEO podcast. Simon is globally recognized as a music mogul and talent show judge. His journey to success has been a unique one. His interview is full of surprises as he reveals he has “no idea how a record is made” to this day.
Ten years ago, hysteria surrounded five teens from the UK after they surged to success on The X Factor. Although the One Direction members all auditioned individually for the show, they made musical magic when they were grouped together by Simon Cowell. Nowadays, 1D is no more. They disbanded in 2016, but Simon reflects on the group’s huge success as well as his biggest regret.
Simon Cowell’s advice for One Direction
On The Diary of a CEO podcast, Stephen speaks to people who are super successful in their field.
Naturally, world-renowned talent scout Simon Cowell makes a perfect fit as a guest on the show. He gives his take on success and says: “Personally, I think it’s better to have it than not.”
The two touch on the effects of fame and Simon adds of One Direction: “For me, they were the perfect group.”
He tells Stephen the advice he gave the members of One Direction: “Don’t ever complain about paparazzi because they are going to take pictures, don’t complain about invasion of privacy because people will want to take pictures with you. Don’t complain about the long hours because there are going to be long hours. If any of this is a problem, just do something else.”
He adds: “It comes with the territory and it’s worth it, it’s hard work, you are going to become well known, and you are going to lose your privacy.”
Simon continues: “There’ll be times where you’ll go ‘this is a grueling schedule’… If you want to be an accountant, you won’t have those issues, but it won’t be as fun.”
Nowadays, he’s searching for another boy band, because he doesn’t think a band as good as 1D has been around since their heyday.
Simon’s work ethic
During the Diary of a CEO interview, Simon speaks of losing both of his parents, he explains it was the “worst” time of his life.
He tells Stephen Bartlett he had a “great relationship” with his parents and enjoyed his childhood years.
When asked about his work ethic, Simon says his father told him not to work for a large corporation in his life.
He says: “It was heartbreaking, he did work hard, but when he passed away he didn’t have any money.”
The 64-year-old explains how he didn’t want to be in the same position as his father and decided to spend his life working for himself.
Simon says: “I couldn’t think of anything worse than having to suck up to a boss who didn’t like me.”
One Direction ‘thought they’d be friends forever’
Simon’s work ethic paired with the talent of the five members of One Direction clearly turned out to be a great combination as the group sold millions of records in their time.
When asked what the “secret sauce is,” Simon replies: “personality,” adding: “…they were interesting people, all had great personalities.”
He says he told them: “After a few years, you’re going to want to leave the band. That’s going to happen. And, they thought they’d be friends forever.”
Simon explains he replied: “Yeah whatever, do what you like,” and told them: “When you’ve got a problem, come to me, it’s really down to you to make this work… and really, really, have fun.”
Music mogul’s ‘biggest regret’ about One Direction
After a lifetime of “hits and misses” with various music acts, he didn’t know he’d get so lucky with One Direction’s success.
“I’m not going to lie,” Simon says he never foresaw the success one member in particular, Harry Styles, has today.
Speaking of the 1D members, he says they used the group as a vehicle to go where they wanted to go individually: “Being in the group definitely made it easier.”
He told the “boys” to “…have enough hits that if you ever reform you can do stadium tours,” explaining they needed to have 10 hit songs they could perform.
When it comes to Simon’s “biggest regret” about One Direction, he says he “wished he owned the name.”
“If you’re listening, I’ll buy it back from you,” he tells the former band members.
Explaining the importance of owning the name, Simon adds: “…because if one of the band members, say, they don’t want to tour, it can stop the others touring.”
He says: “I can be very naive at times, and that was me being very, very naive.”
“Next time that will be part of the deal, I need to own the name.”
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