Why Simon Cowell Was Forced To Move Back In With His Parents
Simon Cowell is known as the ruthless and somewhat cynical judge on a slew of talent competition series, from "American Idol" and "The X Factor" to "America's Got Talent."
The TV personality first rose to fame in the 1980s and 1990s as a record producer. In 2001, he created "Pop Idol" alongside Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe, according to , and the show ran for two seasons. After that, it was rebranded with the name "American Idol" — a series that needs no introduction.
Not long after "American Idol" launched, Cowell created "X Factor UK," and after that, "Britain's Got Talent." The music mogul's many successes have accrued Cowell an estimated net worth of $600 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth, but that isn't to say that it's all been smooth sailing — Cowell has hit some bumps in the road, as well. In fact, where Cowell landed at age 30 will leave many people surprised...
Simon Cowell was living with his parents at 30 after his record labels folded
As Simon Cowell told Billboard in 2016, it was his mother, Julie Brett, who helped him land his first job — in the mailroom of record company EMI (where his father was on the board of directors, per Hello!). Cowell worked his way up as an assistant in the company, and then went on to create his own record labels. But after the two labels folded in the mid-'80s, by age 30, Cowell had no money and was forced to move back in with his parents — which, according to Hello!, he actually didn't mind.
Things started to look up not long after that, though. When forming a new label, Cowell signed boy band Westlife, for one, followed by the Power Rangers, Teletubbies, and a range of professor wrestlers — who were all making albums. He told Billboard that although he was a "laughingstock," he "couldn't have cared less. I was learning the business."
Learning the business has gotten Cowell far today. He has been nominated for five Emmys, a BAFTA Award, a Grammy Award, and is the winner of the 2013 ASCAP Film and Television Music Award. Not to mention the fact that he's helped launched multiple artists to stardom, including One Direction and Fifth Harmony.
Simon Cowell's parents were 'thrilled' when he moved home
In a 2017 interview with TMZ founder Harvey Levin, Simon Cowell elaborated on what it was like living with his parents and experiencing a bit of failure in the industry in the '80s.
Reflecting on the experience, he said, "So now, I have no job, and I owe the bank half a million pounds. I think I had something like three or four pounds cash. I had to get from where I was to my parents' apartment." Asked by Levin if it was humiliating going home to his parents at 30 years old, he replied, "No. Honest to God, no." Cowell said that his parents were even excited to have him return home. "They were thrilled." In the wake of that experience, Cowell said he came to realize his mistakes. "I didn't blame anyone else. It was my own responsibility." Ultimately, he believes that he has earned the success he's found today.
These days, Cowell is newly engaged to longtime girlfriend Lauren Silverman, who is also the mother of their 7-year-old son, Eric. A source recently told People, "They are both super happy. They've been together a long time now and adore each other so it's not a huge surprise to their close friends.