Simon Cowell has launched a blistering counterattack against Elton John, accusing him of being self-obsessed and failing to nurture young musicians. Elton recently said reality shows have “killed talent” in the UK and, “Can any ‘X Factor’ people cut the mustard?”
Cowell, who’s preparing to launch his “X Factor” show in the US, returns fire on Piers Morgan’s CNN show on Monday: “Well, look. This is somebody who charges what — a million dollars for a private gig? Two million dollars, you know? I don’t know whether he’s concerned about himself . . . But . . . they always bleat on that we’re not giving other people a chance. And I always want to say to them, ‘I tell you what, you just made a million dollars off – off your last private gig. Go and give it to a bunch of young musicians you care about, put them in the studio. Go and nurture them. Go and spend some time looking after them.’ Then I’ll buy your argument. They — they’re only worried about themselves.”
Cowell is right and John is wrong – reality shows allow entertainers access to a wide audience – and in no way interfere with talent coming up along more traditional paths. Besides, Elton John seems to have an opinion on everything that is none of his business.
Image credit to Manuil Yamalyan/WENN.com
