Simon Cowell: Whitney Houston Would Have Been the Ultimate X Factor Mentor

ugh at the thought of capitalising on this in any fashion…..

….so I’m going to give Simon the benefit of the doubt and believe he is grieving the only way he knows how.

He really should have resisted his impulses and stayed away while the body was still warm.   Some things arent worth the column inches.  The perils of living in his self-aggrandizing bubble i suppose.  His experience and feedback on a talent show is not relevant to a proper mourning.

I’m going to blame Piers. Obviously you are going to talk if asked, but why in the hell is Piers talking to Simon about this?

Ugh Simon. Now is really not the time.

I couldn’t agree any more. Hopefully, Simon won’t comment on Whitney’s tragic death just to re-generate the sizable flop X-Factor USA any longer

“Whitney — ever since I’ve been doing this job, particularly doing talent shows over the last 10 years, the No. 1 singer anyone ever wanted to emulate, if they really wanted to be a superstar, it was always Whitney,” Simon said. “We would hear Whitney songs over and over again. She was the benchmark, she truly was.”
She was truly this. 

The late Ms Whitney Houston would certainly be a great mentor; its sad to think if this had really materialized she would had the opportunity to directly impacted upcoming singers.   

I know this is Simon’s only way to pay respects but it’s just in bad taste, just to utter the words “mentor” and “X Factor”, it would have been nice to know that later, but the same day? it sounds more promotional than respectful. On the other hand, and playing devil’s advocate, he has made every show he’s ever been on the past 10 years the hunt for the next Whitney, she has always been his goal, and he always acknowledged her as the best, and made sure everyone recognized her as a living legend, so there you go, you have to take the good with the bad.

This is low, but I’m not surprised. I’m pretty sure xfactor started the rumor about her being a judge and not Whitney’s camp. Simon this is the wrong time to start the “She was probably interested” speculation…let her body leave the hotel 1st.

I can see it now…there will be a Whitney tribute night with Bobbi
Kristina in the audience saying on camera “we always loved the show, we watch it every night…mom would be so proud…” then she collects her paycheck…

Geez.  Simon has sunk to a new low that I hadn’t expected even from him.  If he had just left out that part about Whitney possibly being a mentor on X-Factor, then it would have been fine, but to include that part?  I’m pretty disgusted right now.

so there you go, you have to take the good with the bad.

I’m sorry, but I totally disagree. The world doesn’t need Simon Cowell to reaffirm what a great vocalist Whitney was, and mentioning her in the context of the X-Factor rumors is in horrible taste.

I have no respect for Simon and this just proves what kind of man he really is. How low can you go?

I completely understand you.

I was watching the interview on CNN. Piers asked Simon about the rumors. Simon didnt bring it up. Simon isnt to blame.

The thing is Simon called in, but Simon and Piers know each other, Simon knew Piers would ask, he should have deflected and talk it down as much as he could. But again playing devil’s advocate, it was a shock for everyone in the world, Simon didn’t have time to prepare a statement, or to prepare for what to answer and what not to answer. If anything he shouldn’t have made that call.

Of all the people in recording land, Piers talks to Simon about Whitney on the day of her death…doesn’t the guy have connections with someone “important” in the industry to illicit a comment from.  Says eons to me about how useless Piers Morgan is and how publicity hungry Simon is to be talking about someone he only knows on a casual basis, at best.  Glad I don’t watch CNN if this is how they conduct business.

Sorry, but I don’t buy that for a minute.  Piers and Simon are old buddies, and if Simon had any decency considering the circumstances he would have told Piers not to bring up the X-Factor rumors before the interview.  They are replaying soundbites from Simon’s interview on CNN, and thank goodness, they aren’t including the X-Factor rumors.

Both Simon and Melanie are classless egomaniacs and famewhores. The way they make Whitney’s death all about themselves or their show is disgusting. Blech!

Ugh! Simon show some class.

Even if it were true – and given his past history of planting stories in the tabs about possible mentors to boost buzz for his show, I’m not sure it is true – does he really need to be telling people she was so desperate for work she was planting stories in the tabs (like her people wouldn’t phone his people)? While her body is still warm, no less?

This is not the time or place, and it is so petty that there probably no time or place. If asked, just say she would have been a great mentor and leave off the baseless accusations of who started the rumor. “Flattered that anybody would think such a legendary talent would associate with my show” should be the tone.

I did read about Whitney possibly being one of the judges about a week ago. 

Hm. I’m not convinced Simon didn’t start the rumor that he offered the judges’ seat to Whitney. He admitted to starting nearly every rumor that hit the press during the 1st hunt for X Factor judges

Not to be snarky or in bad taste, I’ll agree and raise you one!  I wouldn’t be surprised if Simon started the rumour then bumped her off for better ratings!

For once, I feel the need to defend Simon here.  I was watching CNN last night, and heard his complete interview with Piers.  Piers interviewed Simon for probably half an hour, Simon staying on through news updates and commercial breaks, when it was the middle of the night London-time.  About 10 or 15 minutes into the interview, Piers asked Simon about the XF rumors, to which Simon gave the (completely appropriate) response quoted in MJ’s post.  And then they moved on.  In no way did Simon use the interview to promote the show, and as others have pointed out, Piers brought the subject up.  Considering the XF rumors had just come out the day before, I would have thought Piers a terrible journalist (well, worse than I already do anyway) if he had NOT asked about them.

I found Simon’s comments during the interview to be heart-felt and thought better of him afterwards.  And I hate it when people judge others for what they say and do during emotional moments, like this appears to have been for Simon.

Yeah, it’s not Simon’s fault but Piers. Of all the people he could have picked to talk to, he picks Simon. Idiot.

I hope people attacking Simon for suggesting it was a thought do know Whitney had been a guest mentor on X-Factor UK. 

For simon (I’m not giving him the dignity of capitalizing his name), to use Ms. Houston’s passing, which happened less than 24 hours ago, to advertise his horrific singing show gives new meaning to the word ‘shameful’.   You thought having 12 year olds on that show having emotional fits on live tv when they get voted off was bad, well he found a new tool to scrape the bottom of the barrel.

It doesn’t matter what the worst Idol episode is, it will always have more class than whatever simon can produce.  I will never watch full episodes or clips of XF again, unless it’s the last episode before cancellation.  Speaking of that, I pray that the rumors of NBC showing season 3 of The Voice between September and December of this year; going up against XF, is true.  God bless you Ms. Whitney Houston.  And godd#mn you simon.

Simon’s comments disgust me.

He is using a superstar’s DEATH to promote a faltering show of his. I can’t believe it. If her family read his comments, I am sure they would be in even greater shock than they already are.

Interesting how Simon assumes the world wants his opinion on everything.   I could care less what he thinks.   The sadness of Whitney’s passing should not be fodder for promoting a show or himself.  

It is no different from celebrities showing up at the red carpet and providing sound-bites for the press. Tacky!

Wow does this confirms the late Ms Whitney Houston was seriously considering joining the XF or she could have just sharing a private joke.  This clip saddens me :(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35HiDv2uJds

Whitney Houston has always been a mentor to young female singers.  Alicia Keys talked about all of the sleepovers that she had at her house, and last week she was helping Brandy and Monica prepare for their performance at Clive Davis’ pre Grammy party.