Simon Cowell Explains Why He Launched a Celebrity Version of The X Factor

Simon Cowell, the mastermind behind The X Factor, has opened up about why he decided to introduce a celebrity version of the popular singing competition show. With the franchise facing declining viewership, Cowell felt that the show needed a major shake-up to maintain its relevance. He acknowledged that The X Factor was at risk of stagnating if it didn’t evolve, and the obvious solution was to bring in a cast of celebrities to reignite the public’s interest.

The decision came after the show experienced some of its lowest ratings in years, especially with the rise of new hit shows like Strictly Come Dancing. Cowell admitted that change was necessary to keep the format fresh and engaging. “I think change in any aspect is good,” he explained. “But I was saying to someone the other day, ‘I’ve signed Westlife, I’ve signed Five, Il Divo, One Direction, Little Mix. They’re all groups, but they’re all different.’”

He went on to share that the key to keeping The X Factor successful was to take a break and reset. “You can’t just keep making the same show that it was 14 years ago and expect it to be the same show today,” he said. “Sometimes you’ve got to take a step back for a little while.”

In keeping with his philosophy of reinvention, Cowell also revealed that he wanted the celebrity contestants to be a surprise to him until the night of the performance. “I said to the team, ‘You’ve got to find some acts who you believe can sell records off the back of this, because if you don’t do that it won’t work. So, that was the deal and we stuck to it. I swear to God I didn’t have a clue who any of the acts were.’”

This approach, according to Cowell, helped generate excitement and anticipation for the celebrity version of the show. “If we’re smart, we have artists here who could actually sell records off the back of this,” he added. “So, I thought that was fun and very exciting for the show.”

As part of the new celebrity-focused format, longtime judges Louis Walsh and Nicole Scherzinger returned to offer their expert opinions, while Dermot O’Leary also came back as the host, further ensuring a familiar and dynamic environment for viewers. With these changes, Cowell hoped to breathe new life into The X Factor and bring a fresh, thrilling twist to the iconic competition.