Music and television titan Simon Cowell is diving back into the boyband arena, launching a new seven-piece group named December 10 from his latest Netflix series. This move comes three decades after his first major pop success with Robson and Jerome and a career-defining run on shows like Pop Idol, The X Factor, and Britain's Got Talent.
A Philosophy Forged by Fatherhood
In a revealing interview on The Rest Is Entertainment podcast with hosts Richard Osmond and Marina Hyde, Cowell was asked to reflect on his biggest career misses. His response was unequivocal: he refuses to harbour regrets, a conviction he attributes entirely to his 11-year-old son, Eric.
Cowell elaborated on his belief in destiny, using his son as the central example. He explained that even negative past events were part of a path that led to Eric's conception at a specific moment. "If things had gone differently, then I don't believe he would be here," Cowell stated. "So that therefore you can't really complain too much about your regrets."
While he admitted to experiencing betrayals in the industry, cryptically noting "people who you trusted just completely let you down," he declined to delve into specifics. He confessed to sometimes being "quite naive" in placing deep trust in others. However, any professional disappointments now pale in comparison to the joy of family life with Eric and his fiancée Lauren Silverman, which he described as a genuine "game changer."
December 10 Takes Centre Stage
Cowell's latest project, the boyband December 10, sent fans into a frenzy this week. The group, formed on his Netflix series Simon Cowell: The Next Act, debuted their first full performance with an acoustic cover of NSYNC's classic hit 'Bye Bye Bye'.
The band, consisting of members Cruz (19), Danny (17), Hendrick (19), John (17), Josh (17), Nicolas (16), and Sean (19), performed at London's famed Metropolis Studios, playing their own instruments. This marked their first complete set outside the confines of the Netflix show, which premiered on Wednesday 10 December.
Despite the six-part series facing harsh criticism from some reviewers—with one calling it "dated, derivative and as flat as his hairdo"—the fan reaction to the band's debut was overwhelmingly positive. Viewers flooded social media with praise, describing the vocals as "king" and declaring their love for the group, with one fan exclaiming their "JAW IS ON THE FLOOR."
Legacy and the Next Act
Cowell's track record in creating successful acts is formidable, having been instrumental in the rise of global phenomena like One Direction, Little Mix, Susan Boyle, and Westlife. The Next Act represents his latest attempt to channel that hit-making formula in a changed entertainment landscape, even as some critics argue the talent show format has moved on.
For Cowell, however, the venture is another roll of the dice, underpinned by a personal philosophy shaped by fatherhood. His message is clear: while the business of music has its dark sides and disappointments, his focus is firmly on the future, his family, and the destiny that brought them together.
