What almost derailed 'Simon Cowell: The Next Act'? Talent mogul says he nearly ended the Netflix series before it even began

Simon Cowell is currently promoting his upcoming Netflix series, Simon Cowell: The Next Act, which is premiering on Wednesday. In an exclusive interview with Page Six published on Saturday, December 6, the record executive revealed that he almost cancelled the new series after he received news of Liam Payne’s passing. Simon was so upset that he halted filming for a few weeks and even considered scrapping the project altogether.

“I was in pieces, I’m not going to lie,” he told the publication. “I’d spoken to his parents that morning when I heard the news, and I was just thinking, ‘God, I couldn’t cope with that. I genuinely couldn’t.”

He continued:

“I had to make a decision because I told the boys that had been selected they were going to America. And then this happened, and I’m like, ‘I’ve got to get away for a while and really think about this.”

Simon Cowell added that he called the contestants and their parents to ask whether they still wanted to continue with the show. They said yes.

“Then I met with them, and I met with the parents, and we talked for a few hours, and I said, ‘Look, think about it. And then if you decide any of you don’t want to continue, I completely understand. And if you do decide to come along, we are going to have a big support team around you.’”

He added:

“And they all decided they wanted to have that chance.”

Simon Cowell’s reaction after hearing about Liam Payne’s death

In the November 29 episode of The New York Times podcast, The Interview, Simon Cowell shared his reaction when he heard about the late One Direction member Liam Payne.

“Somebody who works with me very closely came into my room,” he began. “I was up in the north of England, and I could tell by the look of her face that she was upset. She said, ‘Sit down,’ and she told me.”

He revealed that he was shocked when he heard the news and couldn't properly describe his feelings at the time.

“It was like — wow. It was a bit like I felt when I heard the news when my dad passed away. It’s very difficult to put into words how you feel. It’s just shock. At that point, you’re not really thinking clearly.”

He added:

“I just remember saying: ‘I really need to speak to his mum and dad. Can you get them on the phone as soon as possible please?’”

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Simon Cowell: The Next Act will drop on December 10.

Also read: ⁠How did Darci Rose die? Holly Hagan breaks down in tears as she recalls her sister's final moments before her death at 19

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