Simon Cowell Admits He Felt “Disgusting” After Cruelly Misjudging Susan Boyle On Britain’s Got Talent

 

Former Britain’s Got Talent judge Simon Cowell reflected on his treatment of contestants while sitting behind the desk on the ITV talent show and revealed he regretted how he behaved towards budding singer Susan Boyle.

The 66-year-old music mogul first met Susan, 65, in April 2009, when she arrived at the Clyde Auditorium in Glasgow to audition for the third series of the programme with a rendition of ‘I Dreamed A Dream’ from the musical Les Misérables.

Her surprising performance resulted in a standing ovation and a jaw-dropping reaction from the sceptical panel, which consisted of Simon and his co-stars at the time, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan.

The celebrity critics misjudged the West Lothian native based on her appearance when she stepped onto the stage, and almost two decades later, Simon seemed to regret his behaviour on that fateful day.

Susan went on to win second place at the series’s finale, losing out to dance troop Diversity, and earned herself an illustrious career as a professional singer that is still flourishing today.

During an interview on the podcast, Tales from the Celebrity Trenches, Simon opened up about his time sitting on the panel and explained why he felt he was “disgusting”, and the experience was a “wakeup call”.

“I said, ‘We’re going to just tell it as it is.’ And they went, ‘You look awful.’ I said, ‘We are awful. All of us.’ I mean, that look Piers gives me. It’s just I think of all the looks I’ve ever remembered, that might be the worst,” the father-of-one told host Jamie East.

© NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via

Simon Cowell judged Susan Boyle on the third season of BGT

He continued, reflecting on Susan’s participation in the show: “And I was just as bad. We all were. And then, you know, thank God for her, it all worked out well. And, of course, I had the ability to cut all that stuff out, but it was a bit of a wakeup call. Which is, you can’t judge a book by its cover.

“We do look disgusting, but you got to hold your hands up at that moment. A lot of people are going to realise in about 24 hours that we’re just horrible. And so we’re going to say sorry. And that’s what we did.”

Simon added: “I think we all looked at ourselves at that point and went, ‘Oh, God, we’re all terrible.’ I do remember, actually, because she didn’t win, obviously. So I ran up to the stage. I said to her, ‘Susan, I’m going to sign you, just so you know, it doesn’t matter. It really, really doesn’t matter.’ Because I knew she was going to be upset.”

Susan’s stellar success

In the years that followed her memorable, record-breaking audition, Susan went on to sign with Simon’s label, Syco Music.

She released her debut album, I Dreamed a Dream, which became one of the best-selling albums of the century, with over 10 million copies sold and toured the world.

© Getty Images

Simon signed Susan to his record label after she lost out at the final

Maintaining a strong relationship with the X Factor creator, Susan remained under the label and released eight more studio albums with them.

In an interview with People magazine in 2019, she touched on her friendship with Simon and told the publication: “Simon is the biggest inspiration in my career. He’s been my boss for almost 10 years, and I strive to make him proud. He inspires me to continue and strive for perfection.”

Thirty Minutes Ago in Washington, DC, Donald Trump Was Confirmed as Facing a Defining Moment!

 

The stillness in Washington, D.C. that morning was striking not because it was dramatic, but because it was unfamiliar. The capital is usually defined by constant movement—motorcades, press briefings, and the ceaseless choreography of power. Yet for a brief interval, the city paused, and within that pause stood Donald Trump, confronting a moment later described as quietly consequential.

There were no rallies, no amplified applause, no defiant speeches. Instead, observers noticed restraint. Trump’s usual posture of certainty softened, replaced by measured stillness. It was not theatrical, nor an admission, but a moment defined by what it withheld. It lingered precisely because it was subtle.

For years, Trump’s image was built on outward confidence and relentless momentum. Controversy, legal pressure, and electoral defeats had not slowed him. Yet here, removed from campaign stages and media spectacle, the contrast was evident: this was a former president aware that history had shifted from anticipation to evaluation.

This was not weakness, but acknowledgment of consequence. Decisions once framed as bold had moved fully into the record. Accountability—legal, political, and historical—was no longer abstract. Trump appeared less as a symbol and more as a person navigating the narrowing space between legacy and judgment.

Washington itself seemed to recognize the moment. The machinery of government continued, but without the urgency that had always followed Trump. The quiet highlighted the reality of leadership: authority is temporary, but its consequences endure. This interval may be remembered not for any single outcome, but for the prolonged reckoning that follows power, when leaders respond to how their actions are judged.

As the day moved forward, Washington resumed its rhythm. There was no fanfare, yet for those paying attention, it felt like a threshold. History often works quietly; the most defining moments occur when spectacle gives way to consequence. For Trump, as for all leaders, the measure of his time in office will emerge from what endures, and these thirty minutes were a rare, revealing pause in that reckoning.

She Walked On Stage To Laughter And Doubt At 48 — But Within Seconds, Susan Boyle Silenced The Entire Room, Shocked Millions Worldwide, And Turned One Unforgettable Audition Into A Record-Breaking Global Career That No One Saw Coming

 

Let’s take a quick trip down memory lane to the moment Susan Boyle first appeared on our TV screens. As you can see in the video below, no one expected her to produce such a powerful voice on her audition day.

The confident 48-year-old (at the time) blew away the live studio audience and everyone watching from home.

Susan Magdalane Boyle born in 1961 was the best singer in the third series of Britain’s Got Talent. The singer came second to the incredible dance troop Diversity but in no way did that stop her career from excelling.

After her success on the British TV talent show, Susan Boyle went on the record her debut album called “I Dreamed a Dream” which came out in November 2009. This album became the UK’s best-selling album of all time knocking Leona Lewis off the top spot for that individual record.

She later recorded her second album called “The Gift” in 2010. This album was also a massive success in the UK but was also extremely well received in the USA, hitting the number one spot in both countries. She later became on of only three acts at the time to ever top the UK and US charts albums charts in the same year.

Susan made $5million with the release of her single “I Dreamed A Dream” which was the song she sang in her audition for Britain’s Got Talent. She has now released her greatest hits album and multiple other studio albums after growing a massive adoring fan base across the world, which all started with that one audition on Britain’s Got Talent.

It’s the end of an era — and the beginning of something beautifully new. After six decades in the same modest home in Blackburn, Scotland, where her legendary journey began, Susan Boyle has officially closed the door on her childhood house for the last time.

 

It’s the end of an era — and the beginning of something beautifully new. After six decades in the same modest home in Blackburn, Scotland, where her legendary journey began, Susan Boyle has officially closed the door on her childhood house for the last time. The cozy stone home, where she once dreamed of music stardom and later returned even after global fame, was more than just a house — it was her anchor. “Every song I’ve ever sung started in that little living room,” she once said. Now, at 63, Susan says she’s finally ready to begin her next chapter — one filled with “love, peace, and a quieter kind of happiness.” Friends say she’s moved to a nearby countryside cottage surrounded by music, memories, and the kind of calm she’s longed for since the whirlwind of Britain’s Got Talent changed her life forever.

The house wasn’t grand. It didn’t have gold records on the walls or a sprawling garden. But to Susan, it was everything — the place where a quiet, hopeful girl dared to dream of stages she’d never seen.

“Every song I’ve ever sung started in that little living room,” she once said softly.

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 A FAREWELL TO THE BEGINNING

For years, even after the world watched her voice shake the walls of Britain’s Got Talent and redefine fame itself, Susan chose to stay in her childhood home — her sanctuary amid the chaos of stardom.

The narrow hallway, the lace curtains, the familiar hum of the neighborhood — they kept her grounded. It wasn’t just bricks and mortar. It was memory. It was comfort. It was home.

But now, at 63, Susan says she feels a quiet readiness — a peace that has taken a lifetime to earn.

“It’s time,” she told a close friend. “Time to let the old walls rest — and find new light.”

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 A NEW LIFE, A QUIETER KIND OF JOY

She hasn’t gone far — just a few miles down the road, to a countryside cottage surrounded by rolling fields and the soft sound of songbirds at dawn.

Friends say she spends her mornings at the piano, her afternoons walking along the fields, and her evenings by the window — the calm she once only sang about now living inside her.

“She’s not chasing fame anymore,” one friend shared. “She’s chasing peace.”

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 THE LEGACY THAT LIVES WHERE SHE ONCE STOOD

As the old house stands quiet now, its rooms still echo faintly with the sound of the voice that changed everything — the voice that once carried from a small Scottish street to every corner of the world.

And though she’s left that little home behind, her story remains written on its walls — a reminder that greatness can begin anywhere, even in the quietest of places.

Because before the tours, before the fame, before the world fell in love with her voice — there was Susan Boyle, standing in that tiny living room, singing her dreams into the air.

And the world was listening.

“I’ve waited my whole life for a moment like this,” Susan Boyle reportedly said, sending fans into a frenzy of excitement. The Scottish sensation who stunned the world with I Dreamed a Dream is set to perform a duet with legendary tenor

“I’ve waited my whole life for a moment like this,” Susan Boyle reportedly said, sending fans into a frenzy of excitement. The Scottish sensation who stunned the world with I Dreamed a Dream is set to perform a duet with legendary tenor Andrea Bocelli, a pairing that promises to be historic. This isn’t just another TV appearance — it’s a magical collision of two extraordinary voices on the new talent show Popstar to Opera Star. Sources reveal Susan kept Andrea waiting for weeks, and his admiration for this “incredible woman” only grew stronger with anticipation. Bocelli’s last album didn’t reach the top of the Billboard charts, but the world is already buzzing about this duet. Fans everywhere are holding their breath, knowing that this performance could become one of the most unforgettable musical moments in recent history.

Susan Boyle, the Scottish singer who conquered the world with her angelic voice on Britain’s Got Talent and released the record-breaking debut album I Dreamed a Dream, is about to embark on a project that promises to thrill fans of all ages. The 63-year-old star is planning to join renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli in a duet that will be featured on a new television talent show.

The show, titled Popstar to Opera Star, pits pop artists against the challenges of opera, requiring them to sing classical pieces and showcase their musical versatility. It’s an innovative format that combines the energy of popular music with the grandeur of classical opera, offering audiences a unique experience. For Susan, who has built her career defying expectations and enchanting the world with moving performances, the opportunity to sing alongside Bocelli is another exciting chapter in her journey.

According to sources close to the project, Susan was extremely careful in preparing the duet. A source revealed to The Sun: “Susan kept Andrea off the charts for weeks. It was incredible! But he’s not upset, quite the opposite. He said he wants to sing with this ‘incredible woman’!” The enthusiasm of the Italian tenor, who has been blind since childhood, shows that he recognizes not only Susan’s talent but also the emotional strength she conveys in every performance.

The collaboration comes after a busy season for Bocelli. His latest album, My Christmas, although acclaimed, didn’t reach the top of the Billboard charts, partly because public attention was still focused on Susan’s surprising return to the headlines. For many fans, the anticipation of the duet between the two artists is comparable to witnessing a fusion of legends, where Bocelli’s unparalleled vocal experience meets Susan Boyle’s raw and touching emotion.

Susan, known for her humility and authenticity, shared that she always dreamed of exploring new musical dimensions. “Singing with Andrea is a dream I thought was impossible,” she said in a recent interview. “His voice is magical, and I feel that together we can create something that will touch people’s hearts in a way that words cannot express.” For a woman who has become an icon of the power of music to inspire and transform lives, this collaboration represents more than just a talent show; it’s the realization of a long-held dream.

Expectations are high for the premiere of the Popstar to Opera Star program. The producers promise an exciting experience, not only because of the technical challenge of seeing pop singers performing opera, but also because of the emotional encounters, such as that of Susan and Andrea. The chemistry between them, even in the initial rehearsals, has already generated praise and tears among the team. “It’s impossible not to be moved by their dedication and passion,” commented a member of the team.

While fans around the world eagerly await, Susan Boyle’s story continues to inspire millions. From a shy young woman from Scotland to an international superstar, her journey shows that true talent and courage can surpass any expectation. And now, with Andrea Bocelli by her side, she is about to deliver one of the most memorable moments in contemporary music.

When the show finally premieres, viewers will be able to witness not just a duet, but the union of two extraordinary voices that, together, promise to create a breathtaking musical experience. For Susan Boyle and Andrea Bocelli, the stage is set, and the world awaits, eagerly awaiting every note of emotion that will echo from that legendary encounter.

Inside the “Worst Prison on Earth” Where Inmates Must Follow One Harsh Rule — and US Citizens Could Be Sent There

 

El Salvador’s Centre for the Confinement of Terrorism, widely known as CECOT, has become one of the most closely watched prison facilities in the world. Located approximately 70 kilometers east of San Salvador, the complex covers a large secured area and was constructed as part of President Nayib Bukele’s national security strategy.

Since its opening in February 2023, it has been presented by the Salvadoran government as a central tool in combating gang-related violence and organized crime.

The prison is designed to hold up to 40,000 inmates, making it one of the largest correctional facilities in the Americas. Authorities in El Salvador have…

500 meters underground in Iran – Report reveals a secret that is worrying the world

 

Iran has long been considered one of the largest missile powers in the Middle East, gradually building up a large and diverse arsenal of ballistic weapons and other advanced military systems. According to a report published in 2022 by the United States Central Command,

Tehran is believed to possess more than 3,000 ballistic missiles of various types, making it one of the countries with the largest missile capacity in the region.

This arsenal includes a wide range of missiles with different ranges. Among the most popular are short-range missiles, such as the Fateh missile family and the Zolfaghar missile, which are designed primarily to hit military targets relatively close to Iran’s borders.

These missiles are characterized by the ability to be launched in multiple bursts within a short time, a tactic that aims to reduce the opponent’s reaction time and overload air defense systems.

An example of the use of this tactic was seen in 2020, after the assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, when Iran launched a series of missiles at US military bases in Iraq

An example of the use of this tactic was seen in 2020, after the assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, when Iran launched a series of missiles at US military bases in Iraq. This action was considered a direct demonstration of the country’s ability to carry out coordinated and rapid strikes.

At another level are medium-range missiles, which constitute the mainstay of Iran’s strategic capabilities. Models such as the Shahab-3 missile, Khorramshahr missile and Sejjil missile can reach targets up to about 2,000 kilometers away. This limit, according to Iranian authorities, is the maximum that Tehran intends to maintain for the time being. However, many Western analysts and experts believe that the technology developed so far could enable Iran to further extend this range in the future.

US intelligence estimates suggest that Iran has developed about 14 different types of ballistic missiles. In recent years, the country has also focused its efforts on more advanced technologies, including hypersonic weapons. One of the most discussed projects is the Fattah-2 hypersonic missile, which Iranian authorities claim is capable of maneuvering at very high speeds and penetrating modern air defense systems.

These systems give Iran an additional dimension to its military deterrence strategy

In addition to ballistic missiles, Iran has also developed cruise missiles, which fly at low altitudes and are more difficult to detect by radar. One of the most well-known in this category is the Soumar cruise missile, which is believed to be based on the Russian Kh-55 cruise missile. These systems give Iran an additional dimension to its military deterrence strategy.

Another key element of Iran’s strategy is the construction of deep underground bases for storing and launching missiles. These structures, often called “missile cities,” are built hundreds of meters underground and are designed to protect the arsenal from air or missile attacks. Satellite images and propaganda materials released by Iranian authorities show long underground corridors, missile depots, and launch pads hidden at great depths.

In recent years, attack drones have also taken on an increasingly important role in Iran’s military strategy. Models like the Shahed-136 loitering munition, also known as kamikaze drones, are relatively cheap to produce and can be used in large numbers to overwhelm expensive air defense systems like the MIM-104 Patriot.

Although some Israeli officials have claimed that Iran’s arsenal was significantly reduced during last year’s military clashes, satellite imagery and expert assessments suggest that Iran has managed to recover a large part of its capabilities in a relatively short time

Although some Israeli officials have claimed that Iran’s arsenal was significantly reduced during last year’s military clashes, satellite imagery and expert assessments suggest that Iran has managed to recover a large part of its capabilities in a relatively short time.

However, according to current US intelligence assessments, Iran does not yet have the capability to strike the United States with intercontinental ballistic missiles. Analysts estimate that the development of such a capability is not expected to occur before 2035, although Iran’s missile program continues to be the focus of international attention and strategic debate in the region and beyond.