Simon Cowell, one of the judges of “American Idol” made strong criticisms during the 24th Annual Paley Festival at the Directors Guild of America in West Hollywood. Cowell had criticized Jennifer Hudson, a recent Oscar winner, and Taylor Hicks, an Idol winner in a panel discussion about the “American Idol” at the Museum of Television & Radio event.
Simon Cowell said, “Jennifer Hudson said “American Idol” was a stepping stone for her. Stepping stone? It was her big opportunity to become noticed and she got noticed and she got Dreamgirls,” Cowell also made a point about the other contestants in the past “deliberately turn against the show that made them successful. The reason (people) come on the show is because all the doors had been slammed in their face.”
Simon Cowell also made comments about Taylor Hicks, when he revealed, “They (Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson) loved him. I couldn’t stand him. I didn’t get it.” He even added, “at the end of the day you have to find a bona fide recording artist. Just because you win the show doesn’t mean you will sell a lot of records. Chris (Daughtry) is the one who sold the albums, not Taylor.”
Simon Cowell made it clear that Carrie Underwood, Ruben Studdard and Fantasia Barrino were standouts from the start. According to Simon Cowell, Kelly Clarkson was not a strong candidate until later of the season one of the show.