Music mogul Simon Cowell has launched a fierce defence of his new Netflix series, The Next Act, following accusations that the show was staged to manufacture his latest boyband.
Cowell's Heated Podcast Defence
Appearing on The Rest Is Entertainment podcast with host Richard Osman, Cowell was directly challenged on the show's authenticity. Osman suggested viewers missed out on "genuine authenticity," implying Cowell's renowned control over narrative meant outcomes were pre-determined.
Simon Cowell responded unequivocally, stating: "I promise you it was all genuine, what you see is what happened. And there weren’t any second takes." He insisted the series, which documents his search for a new pop group through auditions, was a truthful representation of events.
The 'Theatre of Cruelty' Question
Podcast co-host Marina Hyde further probed the inclusion of less talented auditionees, comparing it to the "theatre of cruelty" familiar from The X Factor. She questioned why such footage was necessary for the final edit.
Cowell argued that showing a range of auditions, including weaker ones, reflected reality. "That is the reality with auditions," he explained. "I’ve always gone with about half a per cent of the people you see are gonna be good. So there were some not-so-good people. So I guess it was a decision to show the people that turned up."
The Birth of December 10
The series culminated in the creation of the seven-piece boyband December 10. The band's name was inspired by the show's release date on Netflix. The group consists of seven teenage singers, aged between 16 and 19, who were recruited from across the United Kingdom.
The Next Act began streaming on 10 December, marking Cowell's major return to the talent show format since his days on The X Factor. Despite the criticism, the show has successfully launched the career of its new musical act, placing them in the global spotlight afforded by the Netflix platform.
