Some things never get old. It’s been years since One Direction went on a hiatus soon after Zayn Malik left the group. At that time, the band was at the top of its game, having released 5 studio albums since they were formed in 2010. Though all of them have fared well since the split, arguably none of them managed to reach the heights that One Direction had scaled. The One Direction name still holds a special place in fans’ hearts. Simon Cowell found that out the hard way.
Simon Cowell regrets not having control over the name ‘One Direction’
While speaking to Stephen Bartlett on an episode of The Diary of a CEO podcast, Simon Cowell was asked an oft repeated question – can we expect One Direction to return? Replying in the negative, he spoke of one of his biggest regrets – how he could not make use of the One Direction name after the band split up. Venting his thoughts, he said,
“The one thing I regret is I should have kept the name. I should have owned the name. If one of the band members, for whatever reason, say they don’t want to tour, it can stop the others [from] touring. So, if it was me who owned the name, it wouldn’t be a problem.” (The Diary of a CEO)
And just like this, we got another episode of Simon Cowell v. the fans.
Simon Cowell calls not owning the name of One Direction as him being ‘naive’
While many fans would have lost it only upon seeing how the 64-year-old was solely obsessed with the riches that would flow from the band’s goodwill, the next part would enflame them even further. He continued,
“I can be very naive at times, and that was me being very, very naive. So, next time, that will be part of the deal. I have to own the name. They can still make most of the money, but I need to own the name… (He) Could have made an animation or whatever, but when you give an artist the name, it’s not yours – and that’s my only regret.”
If there were any fans he hadn’t triggered yet, there were none now.
Simon Cowell pays the price for playing with fire
This won’t be the first time that Simon Cowell found himself on the wrong side of a narrative. Be it for ignoring the success of some major boy bands out there, or for his rude mannerisms on Britain’s Got Talent, he has never been the fans’ favorite. And he walked on fire again with his major One Direction blasphemy.
Fans took to X to show the founder of Syco Records a mirror.
umm is this new???! have yall seen this????
cw: simon cowell
i absolutely despise this man pic.twitter.com/JhZgKwgINF
— kate 🌈🧸 ashton notice??? (@sunfl0werv0l369) June 10, 2024
Even 5SOS’ drummer, Ashton Irwin, couldn’t hold back his anger.
The worst.
— Ashton Irwin (@Ashton5SOS) June 11, 2024
this man, and this single statement, embodies everything wrong with the music [and entertainment] industry
— luca (@LucaGuadagnegro) June 10, 2024
Oh thank god at least they own the name, he took more than enough from them
— Nena💜🌻✨ ×͜×🇵🇸 (@1DTaylenaMars) June 10, 2024
Simon Cowell thought that he could have salvaged the band just with its name. But he missed one point – there is more to a band than its name.
