Simon Cowell Says It’s a “Shame” Britney Spears Hated Her Time on The X Factor
Simon Cowell has expressed regret that Britney Spears “absolutely hated” her time as a judge on the U.S. edition of The X Factor. His comments were reported by People and further discussed by Yahoo News UK.
Cowell said he invited Spears into the role believing she would enjoy mentoring new artists, but she quickly became uncomfortable with criticism and the camera-heavy environment. He told producers she should be allowed to leave if she wished.
Britney later reflected in her memoir The Woman in Me that she was “psychologically unwell” during that era, still under conservatorship and not prepared for high-pressure television work. Cowell’s comments appear to validate her experience and have reignited debates about the exploitation of vulnerable artists.
Despite the tension, Cowell praised Britney’s instincts and star power, calling her “one of the most fascinating people I’ve ever met.”
