Simon Cowell Criticizes Beyonce
Jan 18, 1:19 PM EST

The Associated Press

NEW YORK - One of music's harshest critics doesn't think Beyonce is so bootylicious.

Simon Cowell, a judge on Fox television's "American Idol," has some choice words about the 23-year-old singer.

"I find the whole Beyonce thing really mystifying," Cowell says in Esquire magazine. "She's not sexy, she hasn't got a great body and she's not a great singer."

But Cowell defends a more maligned figure: Ashlee Simpson, who caught plenty of flak after being caught lip-synching on NBC's "Saturday Night Live" last year.

"Why should you have to do something substandard just for the sake of being real? If it sounds better with the vocal you recorded, why shouldn't people listen to that? There's almost a witch-hunt mentality about people miming."

The British talent judge came out swinging on all subjects.

On President Bush: "He could almost be a robot."

On marriage: "At the end of the day, it's an incredibly unfair contract."

On France: "We (the British) have hated the French for years.

Now you (the United States) have just joined the club. It makes you much more likable."

The fourth season of "American Idol" was set to premiere Tuesday night.

They left out his comment about implants (I'll paraphrase since I can't recall his exact words): "I think it's romantic to buy my girlfriends breast implants."

One thing I have to say about Mr. Cowell is that he doesn't mince words and I like that. He is full of himself and very arrogant but I respect his honesty. He tells it like it is. I'm surprised he doesn't like Beyonce though, since everyone else worships her in the music industry.

dancerella said:

Is he really honest or just trying to be quotable?

I prefer Courtney Love. Though she's a mess she has ten times more brains then Simon Cowell when it comes to mouthing off.

CynicKill said:

yeah, he probably does it for shock value, ratings and attention but i just think it takes balls to say half the shit he says. courtney love, like you said is also good for that and i respect her for it too. her comments are usually a little more funny than his.

simon cowell is an infomercial host waiting to happen. i give him three years before he's a cast member on "surreal life", and i'm being generous.

uggh! man i hate simon , he gets on my nerves ..he's a bitch!
he always gotta say sumthin smart (as in sarcastic/rude) and should try more constructive criticism...but paula's nice tho, and i still think randy's sorta weird.
[Edited 1/19/05 19:05pm]

besides being that horrible judge what does he do? or did he do to be qualified for the job. Simon Fuller the producor i know is the guy who started the Spice Girls

BlaqueKnight said:

I question heterosexuality in general.

ehuffnsd said:

He used to run a record label but sold his share last year. He made squillions of pounds in the sale.

His opinion will cease to matter when people stop listening and I won't be reading the article.

Out of curiousity, what acts did his record label sign (besides the spice girls)? I heard it was in the 80's (before the spice)?

I'm just trying to gauge why his opinion on any artist matters (since he's not one).

Anxiety said:

Everytime Simon opens his mouth someone should yell, "Carmen Rasmusen"!

Simon MAKES the show american idol. If you had Randy and Paula and someone else who *wasn't* harsh, it would be boring. People watch to see Simon tear people down, just admit it! Love him, hate him, whatever, he's the reason to watch. I think he's the only one who's really honest, actually. I disagree with the beyonce and lip syncing comments a bit - not that i always agree with him - but at least he is honest.

anemone said:

I agree about his honesty. He tells people what other people in the biz are going to tell them. Nonetheless, he needs to shut his cakehole sometimes about the weight of the young women on the show. He went a whole season without making a single comment about Ruben's weight, but he's overtly critical of the women on the show.

FunkMistress said:

Nothing wrong with that. My personal theory is gay until proven otherwise!

ehuffnsd said:

Cowell has been behind countless number one albums and singles in Europe. He has sold millions of records, all while he was working for Simon Fuller. He finally stepped out of the shadow.

If you guys are finding "American Idol" wearing thin, wait till Cowell brings you "The X Factor"! Its Cowells own version of American Idol, open to all ages (yep pensioners too) and bands.

The judges were Louis Walsh, Sharon Ozbourne and Cowell. Each judge has to take on, and mentor an age group.

It was fairly amusing!

That's the whole point. If Simon is the only reason to watch this show then this show is crap and should be cancelled pronto! He hated on American Idol's most talented singer (Trenyce) for no apparent reason. Oh I know why, because she wouldn't lapse into ghetto on national television. He's a joke. Paula's from outer space and Randy is a close second for most annoying. Put it to rest please!!!

At least he's right about Beyonce !

Dewrede said:

Then he should've stopped there, or never went there at all. His attack seems personal. She must've snubbed him somewhere.

Don't agree with what he said about Ashlee Simpson though
lipsynching sucks
[Edited 1/20/05 16:00pm]

CynicKill said:

Yeah , guess he could've said it a little more tactful