Simon's Fashion

In 2002, he's had just one year of camera time behind him (aside from a cheesy stint as a game show contestant). But with a socialite mom and a music exec dad, he's destined for the spotlight. Flanked by former Journey guitarist Randy Jackson and singer-choreographer Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell seems dour, dry, and dark on the glitzy American TV landscape. It doesn't take long before he established himself as the devil himself, stripped down to the... more 

In 2002, he's had just one year of camera time behind him (aside from a cheesy stint as a game show contestant). But with a socialite mom and a music exec dad, he's destined for the spotlight. Flanked by former Journey guitarist Randy Jackson and singer-choreographer Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell seems dour, dry, and dark on the glitzy American TV landscape. It doesn't take long before he established himself as the devil himself, stripped down to the barest skintight black shirts and relaxed-fit jeans. He clashes with the other judges, and the American media bestows affectionate nicknames like Judge Dread, but he stays true to his philosophy: "Is it more hurtful being cruel to someone when they've sung badly," he asks People rhetorically, "or giving them false hope?" less