Simon Cowell Says FOX Had No Faith In "American Idol" At The Beginning

Posted by Mitch Michaels on 12.05.2009

Simon talks about why he almost backed out of "American Idol" and his biggest embarrassment...

Simon Cowell was named in one of the Entertainers of the Decade by "Entertainment Weekly". He recently spoke about his biggest moments of the 00's with EW. Here are some highlights:

EW: Back in 2002 you told me that a few weeks before American Idol started, you panicked and called your lawyers to try to get you out of the show because you didn't think Americans would accept a Brit telling them they can't sing.

Simon: That's exactly what happened. I didn't realize how much time being on TV was going to take, and I'd always really enjoyed running my record label. And then the idea of doing two shows in one year, I remember thinking, I just really don't want to do this. And then a friend of mine called me at the last minute and she said, "I think you're making a mistake. I think you should give it a go. You'll regret it if you don't do it." And that's what persuaded me to do it. Then I turned up in America to start filming and I'd rented a house. And the first thing the real-estate agent told me was, "I don't think your show's going to do very well." I said "Why?" [and he said]" Because the network has insisted on a month break clause in the deal." Basically that they could get out of the lease agreement after a month—i.e., if the ratings bomb, we're out of there. So I don't think anybody genuinely thought the show was going to be a hit in America .

EW: What's the worst decision you made this decade?

Simon: I've made so many bad decisions. Nothing that's significantly affected my life today. There's not one particular thing I regret.

EW: How about that Scary Movie 3 cameo?

Simon: Actually, that's probably it! I'll never forget going to that premiere and dying in my seat when the movie came on. I've never felt so embarrassed in my life. Lesson learned: Don't believe that you're good at other things. I might be okay as a judge, but I'm a lousy actor.

Credit: EW.com