SIMON Cowell has publicly criticised his and his fellow judges’ initial treatment of Susan Boyle during her iconic 2009 Britain’s Got Talent audition.
The music mogul described their sceptical looks and reactions as “awful and horrible” in a recent podcast chat.
Susan, then 47, stunned the panel with her show-stopping rendition of Les Miserables’ “I Dreamed A Dream,” instantly becoming a viral sensation.
Simon said: “I look back and I just think, ‘my God we look so awful, horrible.’ I actually don’t think we look bad enough.
“I think we were even worse than that and they went, ‘you look awful’.”
He singled out Piers Morgan’s sceptical glance as particularly memorable, adding, “I mean that look that Piers gives me,
“I think out of all the looks I’ve ever remembered that might be the worst. I was just as bad.”
Simon also revealed that the show’s editing could have cut out their doubtful reactions but chose to keep them as a “wake up call.”
The moment remains one of Britain’s Got Talent’s most talked-about auditions, marking a turning point not only for Susan’s career but also for the judges’ approach to contestants.
Simon’s frank reflection highlights the importance of keeping an open mind in talent shows, reminding viewers how quickly first impressions can be overturned.