By Chloe-lee Longhetti and Ciara Farmer For Mailonline
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Simon Cowell has announced he’s set to make a return to the music industry – only months after downsizing his global empire.
The TV personality and record executive, 62, has reportedly changed his mind about his business interests after the ratings success of America’s Got Talent this year.
He kept mum on his exact plans, but the music mogul told The Mirror: ‘I am getting back in the music business with something I’m going to announce soon.’
‘I’m going to announce something soon’: Simon Cowell revealed this week that he’s getting back into the music business after the success of AGT – and after downsizing his global empire
A source also told the publication: ‘The extraordinary success of AGT which has exceeded all expectations has only galvanised Simon.’
They added: ‘It seems there is no stopping him, even in his 60s when people start thinking about putting their feet up.’
According to the publication, rumours are rife Simon might bring back The X Factor and is working on 50 States of Stardom in the U.S. He reportedly has a number of TV and music projects in the works.
A source said one music project is ‘game-changing’.
Change of mind: The TV personality and record executive, 62, has reportedly changed his mind about his business interests after the ratings success of America’s Got Talent this year. Pictured is the judging panel on the show
MailOnline has contacted representatives of Simon for comment, in relation to this article.
In January, it was reported that Simon was letting go of ‘almost all his staff’ at Syco and significantly downsizing the multimillion pound entertainment empire after almost 20 years.
Insiders revealed Simon had begun downsizing the company: ‘Simon has reached a time in his life when he doesn’t want the stress of running a global empire and so has made the difficult decision to wind down Syco.’
Big decisions: In January, it was reported that Simon was letting go of ‘almost all his staff’ at Syco and significantly downsizing the multimillion pound entertainment empire
A production source told MailOnline: ‘Everyone who has worked with him is just incredibly grateful for those opportunities and experiences and they understand the direction he wants to take things. Those that are leaving will be snapped up fast’.
Simon, who shares son Eric, seven, with his fiancée Lauren, has spoken in the past about his ‘ unhealthy addiction to work’ and needing to slow down, after breaking his back in a bike crash last year and falling down the stairs in 2017.
Syco Entertainment is a media entertainment company, based in both London and Los Angeles, and founded and owned by Simon. Having previously centered on music, the company currently focuses on TV production.
Slowing down: Simon, who shares son Eric, seven, with his fiancée Lauren, has spoken in the past about his ‘ unhealthy addiction to work’ and needing to slow down
The company owns The X Factor and Got Talent franchises while the music branch oversees a slew of talents founded on the respective shows.
Simon was said to be ready to pull back on his work commitments after nearly two decades at the helm of Syco Entertainment as he prepares for married life.
A source told The Sun: ‘Simon has reached a time in his life when he doesn’t want the stress of running a global empire and so has made the difficult decision to wind down Syco. Obviously everyone involved, including Simon, is very sad…
‘It really is the end of an era. Simon made this decision with a heavy heart but after much deliberation he had to do what is best for him and his family…
‘Running his business internationally – especially during the pandemic and since his bike accident – has become exhausting and understandably Simon now wants to focus on other things, and particularly his family.’
The source went on: ‘Simon’s decision will give him more time to concentrate on what he enjoys. As well as spending time with his family…
‘It really is the end of an era. Simon made this decision with a heavy heart but after much deliberation he had to do what is best for him and his family…’ a source told The Sun
‘He loves BGT and its US counterpart America’s Got Talent and he’d like to continue appearing on those and being in front of the camera for years to come.’
Speaking to MailOnline, a production source who works close to the mogul and his staff said: ‘The experience and launchpad Syco gives its employees is completely unique and working alongside Simon is a huge opportunity…
‘He has given so many careers and opportunities to so many people, both off screen and on screen. It’s not just the UK but with shows they make all over the world he indirectly opens the door for so many people…
‘I know Simon is an incredible mentor and working with him has taken so many people to the very top of the entertainment business all over the world…
‘And from what I’ve heard seems that everyone who has worked with him is just incredibly grateful for those opportunities and experiences and they understand the direction he wants to take things.
‘Simon’s a very inspiring and loyal company leader and most of his staff have been with him for many years, yes, he expects people to work hard but those people leaving there will be the very best in the business…
Music mogul: Simon has a net worth estimated to be approximately £436million
‘Those that are leaving will be snapped up fast or probably likely to launch their own businesses as Simon always encourages them to be entrepreneurial, they are all creative and have masses of experience under their belts.’
A representative for Syco declined to comment when approached by MailOnline.
After being hospitalised when he fell down his stairs in 2017, Simon said of his work schedule: ‘I call it a wake up call because I think sometimes your body tells you you’re working too hard, for me it was the late nights, 2-7 in the morning…
‘You get addicted to it because it’s quiet, but it’s so unhealthy. It wasn’t a big deal what happened but it was a bit embarrassing, a bit of an oops moment. It was like having an MOT, in a strange way I’m kind of glad it happened.’
Simon has a net worth estimated to be approximately £436million.
One Direction
One of company’s biggest names was One Direction, who signed to the record company after coming third on the X-Factor in 2010.
The group is comprised of Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan – who have all since forged successful solo careers after their split in 2016.
Little Mix
Little Mix became the first group to win the X-Factor in 2011, and have since emerged as one of the show’s most successful acts.
The group have been named as one of the greatest girl groups of all time, the biggest girl group of the 2010s, and been described as ‘the biggest girl group in the world.’
Band members include Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall – with Jesy Nelson leaving in 2020.
Camila Cabello
Camila Cabello is a Cuban-born American singer and songwriter. She rose to prominence as a member of the girl group Fifth Harmony, formed on The X Factor in 2012.
She has amassed billions of streams on music platforms, and her song Havana became the best selling digital single of 2018.
Leona Lewis
Another star included Leona Lewis, who won the third series of the X-Factor in 2006.
The lead single on her debut album Bleeding Love spent seven weeks at number one in 2007.
Leona became the first British female solo artist to reach the top five with eight singles after the release of her Christmas single with One More Sleep.
Fifth Harmony
Fifth Harmony finished third on the American version of the X-Factor in 2012, and subsequently signed a record deal with Syco.
Members include Ally Brooke, Dinah Jane, Lauren Jauregui, and Normani Kordei.
Camilla Cabello was also in the band before deciding to go solo.
Westlife
Westlife consists of Shane Filan, Markus Feehily, Kian Egan, Nicky Byrne and formerly Brian McFadden.
In Ireland, they have 11 number-one albums with a total of 13 top two albums, 16 number-one singles as well as 34 top-fifty singles.
Alexandra Burke
Alexandra Burke won the fifth series of X-Factor in 2008,
Burke released the winner’s single Hallelujah, which became the European record holder for the most singles sold over a period of 24 hours, selling 105,000 in one day.
In June 2014, Burke replaced Beverley Knight in the lead role of Rachel Marron in the West End musical The Bodyguard
Ella Henderson
Ella Henderson came sixth in the 2012 series of the X-Factor, despite being a favourite to win.
Her debut album included the song Ghost, which topped the charts of 2014.
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