Hollywood, Calif. – The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce honored Simon Cowell with the 2,642nd star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Wednesday, August 22, 2018. The star is be dedicated in the category of Television at 6801 Hollywood Boulevard in front of the Hollywood & Highland Complex.
“Simon Cowell has brought a new meaning to talent shows and has made it a mega platform for people to show their talent and tell their tales,” said Ana Martinez, Producer of the Walk of Fame ceremonies. “His honest critical evaluation of talent has won him first place to fans hearts, and a star on our Hollywood Walk of Fame.”
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce which administers the popular star ceremonies encourages people who are unable to attend and fans around the world to watch the event exclusively on www.walkoffame.com.
Simon Cowell is a record company executive, a television and film producer, and a global entertainment icon. Renowned for his eye for talent and candid opinions, Simon has completely transformed popular culture through his show business enterprise.
Simon was born in October 1959 in London. His first industry job was a mailroom position at EMI Music Publishing. By the 1980s, Simon had become an established A&R executive, soon joining BMG for what would become an enduring business relationship.
In 1995, Cowell honed his love affair with television and music when he persuaded Robson Green and Jerome Flynn, stars of hit British TV drama series “Soldier Soldier,” to record a double A-side single Unchained Melody/White Cliffs of Dover. The record became one of the UK’s biggest selling single of 1995, selling 1.8-million copies and staying at the top of the charts for seven consecutive weeks. With BMG’s support, Cowell then set up his own label S Records, and in 1998 signed unknown Irish quintet Westlife, managed by Louis Walsh. Cowell transformed the group’s fortune and it had international success, selling in excess of 50-million records and securing 14 No. 1 singles in the UK.
In 2004, Syco Entertainment was formed as part of Cowell’s new Sony Music partnership. Syco Entertainment is one of the world’s leading global music, film, and TV production companies and is responsible for some of the most successful global music and TV franchises. Artists signed to Syco Music have included One Direction, Camila Cabello, Little Mix, Louis Tomlinson, PRETTYMUCH, Labrinth, James Arthur, CNCO, Grace Vanderwaal, and many more. Syco’s television assets include two worldwide record-breaking shows: The X Factor and the world’s biggest TV format Got Talent. Both formats have launched more global superstars than any other talent show in history.
Simon first appeared on television as a judge on the UK talent show Pop Idol. He launched American Idol in 2002, where he led the judging panel for eight years and saw such stars as Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood launch their careers.
The X Factor, created by Cowell, premiered in 2004 in the UK on ITV and has since gone on to be a television phenomenon, airing in 178 territories and being locally commissioned in 55 territories. The X Factor has created more international music careers than any other television format, including Fifth Harmony and One Direction. Artists discovered by the show have sold more than 500-million records worldwide, including 250 No. 1s, and 450 Top 10 records.
As well as being a judge on The X Factor, Cowell created the ‘Got Talent’ format and is a judge on Britain’s Got Talent and America’s Got Talent. The Got Talent format is officially theworld’s most successful TV format of all time, airing in 194territories worldwide and holding the Guinness World Records title for thehighest number of adaptations, having been commissioned in 70 territoriesglobally.
America’s Got Talent is in its 13th season and continues to be the No. 1 summer series year after year. Last season was the most watched season of America’s Got Talent ever with an average of more than 20-million viewers per episode. In 2017, Syco Music was named Music Week’s Record Label of the year and is home to internationally successful artists who have sold more than 380 million records to date. Such artists include Camila Cabello, whose hit single ‘Havana’ went No. 1 in a total of 80 countries, and is the most streamed song by any lead female in history. Syco’s artist roster also includes One Direction, who have sold more than 150-million records worldwide, have headlined four sold-out world tours, selling more than 10-million tickets in total. Additionally, Syco is home to Little Mix, who have sold more than 43-million records worldwide, and have eight platinum selling singles.
Cowell teamed up with Univision Communication to create the television show La Banda. The winning group, named CNCO, is the biggest Latin boyband in the world. CNCO released their first album, “Primera Cita,” which became the No. 1 Latin debut album for all of 2016.
Cowell has consistently been honored for his contributions to entertainment. In 2014, he was awarded MipCom’s Personality of the Year Award. In addition, Cowell has received The Rose d’Or Golden Jubilee Award and BAFTA’s Special Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the entertainment industry. He has also been awarded the International Emmy Founders Award. In total, television shows created by Cowell have received 24 awards including eight National Television Awards and six BAFTAs. In 2015, Cowell was honored with the Music Industry Trusts Award, the British music industry’s most prestigious accolade, in recognition of his contributions to the industry and many charitable causes.
Throughout his career, Cowell has remained a devoted supporter of many charities and causes. Cowell is a patron of Together For Short Lives, The Katie Piper Foundation and the Linda Blair Sacred Heart Foundation, as well as an Ambassador for Great Ormond Street Hospital. Simonis also a supporter of The Association for Children’s Hospices, Against Breast Cancer, The Health Lottery, Save The Children, Comic Relief, Battersea Dogs Home, RSPCA, The K9 Angels, PETA, Hope Sanctuary Barbados, and Help For Heroes.
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