Cowell even gave up his judging duties on American Idol to sit front and center at The X Factor auditions. In 2011 Cowell helped import his hit British series The X Factor to America, with the promise of a $5 million recording contract for the winner. The group also produced records for many of the performers on Cowell's shows, including Leona Lewis and Il Divo. The company created the television shows American Inventor, America's Got Talent and The X Factor. He set up another company, SYCOtv, in 2002. The show drew in a record number of viewers for Fox, in addition to producing pop stars Kelly Clarkson (2002), Ruben Studdard (2003), Fantasia Barrino (2004), Jennifer Hudson (2004), Carrie Underwood (2005), Taylor Hicks (2006), Jordin Sparks (2007) and David Cook (2008), among others.Ĭowell became known for combining his music and television interests. The American version, American Idol, debuted in 2002, with Cowell judging alongside singer Paula Abdul and producer Randy Jackson.
With Cowell as a judge notorious for reducing contestants to tears, the show was an instant success, drawing more than 10,000 would-be stars to audition for the show.
and promised a BMG record deal to the winner. In 2001 Cowell teamed up with Simon Fuller to produce a show in which the public chose Britain's next big music performance star. As of 2019 Cowell has an estimated net worth of $550 million.
