"Sue Your Teacher" Simon Cowell, Who Spouted Harsh Words, Officially Apologizes After 15 Years: "I Was Just Bad"

"Get a lawyer and sue your singing teacher." In the early 2000s, Simon Cowell (66), the 'icon of harsh words' who terrified audition participants worldwide, bowed his head regarding his past remarks.

In a recent interview with The New York Times (NYT), Cowell officially apologized for the harsh criticisms he directed at participants during his time as a judge on 'American Idol', saying, "I didn't mean to be mean, but I'm sorry."

◆ "I Crossed the Line Because It Was Boring and Annoying"

From 2002 to 2010, Cowell led the golden age of 'American Idol' alongside Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul. At that time, he gained notoriety for his scathing remarks that crushed the dreams of participants, but he was also a key figure in making the show a global hit.

In the interview, he revealed, "My goal at the time was to find a 'real star' who could sign with a label," and added, "I felt a lot of frustration and pressure at the beginning, fearing that if I didn't find a star by the end of the show, I wouldn't be able to renew my contract."

He continued, "The audition days were long and boring, and I was annoyed. I knew that my negative reactions would be broadcasted more than 100 good comments," and acknowledged, "I know I crossed the line. There's no excuse. I'm sorry."

◆ "I Don't Want to See Myself"... The Regret of a Harsh Critic

When the host asked about the specific targets of his apology, he replied, "It was just me being mean." Cowell stated, "Honestly, I'm not proud. I don't watch my past videos that are floating around online. They're terrible," but reflected, "The positive side is that those moments made the show a global hit."

◆ Returning to Netflix as the 'Boy Band Creator'

Having shed his past and matured, Cowell is returning to his main job. He will present a new reality series, 'Simon Cowell: The Next Act', which will be released on Netflix on December 10.

As the driving force behind the creation of 'One Direction', attention is focused on whether he can discover the next generation of boy bands that will shake the world once again through this series.