Simon Cowell still believes the next great pop star is out there. The famously nasty American Idol fixture renews the talent search with this week's debut of The X Factor. Based on a popular British series, the flashy reality series will bestow instant fame on the last singer standing, along with $5-million (U.S.). As on the British version, Cowell serves as creator, executive producer, celebrity judge and mentor to the wide-eyed warblers vying for music stardom. In the advance clips of The X Factor, Cowell looks to be his old combative self on the show, happily snipping with contestants and his fellow judges, including his former Idol partner Paula Abdul. He spoke to us from Los Angeles last week.
Given the current glut of TV talent shows, is it possible for a show like The X Factor to instantly produce a superstar at the level of Lady Gaga or Justin Bieber?
A hundred-per-cent yes. We've seen that happen in the U.K. in the last couple of years and we hope to do the same thing here. The sole reason for making a show like X Factor is to find a different kind of artist who doesn't just work within a competition show, but actually can compete with the big artists out there. That's what you hope is going to happen, and I will die trying until the end to do that.
Why have some American Idol singers seemingly disappeared after winning the competition?
Some of these contestants haven't done well because they win due to popularity, not because they have a unique talent they've demonstrated on a week-to-week basis. That's why you have to update the process. You have to do something different and take risks.
After years on Idol, are there certain audition songs that drive you up the wall?
Yes. I Believe I Can Fly is pretty high up there. I think I'm now allergic to At Last. And everybody seems to think Unchained Melody is my favourite song of all time. It's not, and I can't hear that any more.
Did it feel like old times working again with Paul Abdul?
The great thing about working with Paula is that within about five minutes of filming she's not aware the cameras are on, and she'll fight with you over something; sometimes it's important, often not. That's what I like about her. She is prepared to argue. So it's like getting an old dog back from the rescue pound; it's grateful to see you and the relationship is back intact.
How deeply will X Factor delve into the personal lives of contestants?
I really am interested in their backstories. If they got divorced, why did they get divorced? If they're married, are they happy being married? If they've left college, how do their parents feel about them leaving college to pursue a music career? Obviously, No. 1 on the list is talent, but No. 2 is you really, really have to be an interesting person and have a very good backstory.
Did the NBC program The Voice steal your idea of mentoring contestants throughout the competition?
Well, they didn't do it as well as us, and you will genuinely see the difference. That's the nature of the game when you make reality shows. Anyone can mentor. The point is can you mentor someone through the show and actually create a star?
Does the format challenge singers to try unfamiliar musical genres?
We want as many unique song versions as possible, otherwise you just turn it into a karaoke competition. About three weeks into the show you're going to start hearing contestants way outside their comfort zone. Part of the test for contestants is to see who can come up with the most unique version of a song. Otherwise, it's just boring.
This interview has been condensed and edited.
The X Factor debuts Wednesday at 8 p.m. on Fox and CTV.