Simon Cowell is known for his brutal honesty and his recent comments regarding Beyonce and Lady GaGa have proven that nobody is beyond reprieve. The media mogul took a break from his judging duties on ‘The X Factor (US)’ to share his opinion about the Pop giants as well as Katy Perry by labeling them as “boring”.
Coincidentally, Cowell’s comments relate to one of our previous debates concerning Beyonce’s recent string of performances where she appeared to have lost her exciting flair as an entertainer. Read what Cowell had to say below:
Speaking to The Mirror, the music mogul explained: “If you only ever heard Lady Gaga, she’s the most boring singer in the world.”
He continued: “You’ve got to see her – you need TV. Same with Beyoncé. Or Katy Perry. We’re all about image. You have to have that X Factor.”
Read more on MTV.
Although many fans would fiercely disagree with Cowell’s statements, he did actually highlight a very important issue. Beyonce, Gaga and Perry are visual artists and generally craft radio-friendly Pop singles with little cohesion or depth in their albums.
Indeed, all three women make impressive material but are rarely expressive and avoid addressing personal issues in their music. Ironically, as writers, many would assume that Gaga and Perry would find a way to discuss the events of their lives via their records but with the exception of ‘Circle The Drain’ from the latter, it is difficult to find any songs in which they were truly honest.
Finally, as Pop singers, Beyonce, Gaga and Perry’s vocal performances neatly suit the material but not including some of the songs on Beyonce’s ’4′, such as ‘I Care’ and ‘I Was Here’, they quite shallow as interpreters of music. Hence, Cowell’s comments may have been harsh but they were accurate.
Simone Cowell needs to shut it.
I don’t know if yall caught the shade but I did. You left Beyonce out when you mentioned writers. Until I see CONCRETE evidence that Beyonce doesn’t write ANYTHING then I will continue to see her as a song writer.
opinions as usual
He needs ratings. If Beyonce and Lady Gaga are considered boring…then who on earth is NOT boring. They are 2 of the greatest performers who HAVE right now. So WHAT is their image is a factor, whos image ISN’T a factor? This is coming from the same man who gave us Leona Lewis, who is about as interesting as a jar of pickles. Girl, good day.
Beyonce isn’t a boring singer. She has passion and sometimes she shows emotion. She’s visual in the sense that she’s an excellent performer/entertainer.
Erm he said boring SINGER,which means he’s referring to vocal performances.I agree about Katy Perry,she can’t sing live for shit.But Beyonce is an amazing vocalist,just one of the best out there.And Gaga,though does not possess that good of a vocal range,is quite versatile.She can sing pop,country,jazz etc.I can listen to an acoustic piano performance by Gaga without looking at her(I have Youtube videos converted into MP3 in my phone,I LOVE them),so no,she does not necessarily need visuals.I don’t see how he called them boring.
What is Gaga without a crazy outfit? Think about it! Simon is kinda right. Beyoncé is not boring though. They all are not actually but Simon is kinda right! Katy is boring live but… Yeah
Lmao,Simon needs to shut his dicksuker.Beyonce IS one of the best female vocalists,if not just the best at this moment.Visuals make her better b/c she can put on a hell of a show,she has that ability.Same for Gaga,it’s not like she can’t sing,she can and her vocals are actually soulful,not boring(go listen to The Lady Is Tramp).They need visuals to be more interesting,but without visuals,they’re still THE SHIT.I might agree about Perry though,I wouldn’t want to hear her sing live at all lol.
Coming from the guy who endorses Leona Lewis, Simon’s opinion doesn’t mean anything
And Beyonce being pregnant explains why she doesn’t have the same “flair” as before, as you put it…you really can expect her to go all out like she used to as she is carrying a baby, and still her tame performances are still better then those of the non-pregnant pop stars
Simon stfu Beyonce is far from boring!
@T , until there’s CONCRETE evidence that Beyonce DOES write ANYTHING we will consider her NOT a songwriter.
Besides all of that, I see why Simon said what he said. If you take away the costumes and the loud vocals what do you have? Back in the day people was able to feel the actually lyrics and they meant something which made the music timeless. Now people just go for catching people’s attention for RIght Now and not for long term.
@Legendtina Well,when Gaga is dressed down and is on piano,she can still keep you up.Yes,she does not necessarily need a meat dress.
I agree with him. Without the visual these performers are nothing vocally.
Meant “can’t” not “can”
Yaaaas at omitting Bey from the songwriter list. People need to listen to the demise she’s given and realize she doesn’t write.
Anyhow I wish voice>visual. We would have more talented people in the business.
he is not calling them boring entertainers,he is calling them boring vocalists,get it together people reading is fundamental, and he is kind of right they are pretty basic singers(not that there is something wrong with that) but he means that without there videos and performances you probably would not enjoy a gaga and bey song.which is true alot of people didnt like sl and br until they seen the vids!
They are boring they repeat themselves. Gimmicks. They are boring good for what u get they lack the creativity artist like Aaliyah and Ciara have as well as deep emotion of Brandy and Adele. Beyonce had that same wig since DC and moves. Ciara is our last hope despite her last two attempts she is an overall artist
“Ciara is an overall artist” and “our last hope” ?? Lmao that is the most hilarious thing I heard all day. Ciara does the same grinding and backbending in every performance. As for vocals…well there is nothing to talk about because she doesn’t have any.
I need someone to name one artist that Simon Cowell has endorsed that is as “entertaining” as any of the three ladies he mentioned. Seriously…just one. Also, as stated above, until you can PROVE that Beyonce doesn’t write any of her material, I’ll continue to go by the credits that are written on her songs (that include her name).
They are boring they are boring as artist they repeat themselves they lack the creativity artist like Ciara & Aaliyah have as well as the emotion of Brandy and Adele. Beyonce had that same wig since DC and moves. Gaga slayed her fist album and so as Katy now …. Ciara is our last hope despite her last two attempts she is an overall artist and the best female performer of our time
And those comments about being “boring” are coming from the same man who stated that Jennifer Hudson would never amount to anything else but a ship singer. Cowell also didn’t care too much for Fantasia’s fiery stage presence. Majority of the people who won Idol, Simon had something nasty to say about their talents and attributes at one point or another.
So…if anyone is boring, it’s those dull ass U.K. pop acts who Simon tries to shove down our American throats with thin layer of crossover appeal. Leona can sang but has no personality or stage presence; Alexandra Burke’s debut album leaked onto the internet and soared higher in illegal sales that it did on the charts. And um…JLS? I’m not even checkin’ for them. So…*whistles*
@Ne Beyonce shakes her ass all day & screjms please sit
Funny thing is He Never said about Beyonce, Lady Gaga or Katy Perry. He only talked about Gaga not in a bad way
Simon Cowell has admitted that he would have rejected Lady GaGa if she had ever auditioned for American Idol or any of his past talent shows.
The music mogul, who is said to have ended his feud with pal Cheryl Cole after sacking her from The X Factor USA, revealed that if GaGa had turned up wearing one of her wacky costumes he would have instantly said no.
Speaking of Lady G to Life & Style magazine, SiCo claimed: “She would have been thrown out within 10 seconds. Even if she had walked in with a lobster on her head, it would have been one of the kooky auditions.”
Despite stating that The Edge Of Glory singer wouldn’t have stood a chance, Cowell then went on to praise GaGa, saying that he would now love to discover someone with her talent.
The 51-year old added: “Now you have to be more open-minded and embrace that level of expression. You hope to God you can find someone like her.”
is the orignal thing. he didnt talk bout beyonce…..
the sun just added her name to it
http://www.mtv.co.uk/news/lady-gaga/327996-simon-cowell-lady-gaga-x-factor-american-idol
Speak it Simon! All these people call Leona boring, yet endorse half these other shitty, try hard artists with no originality and/or talent. Beyonce and Gaga have such great voices and waste it on shitty radio friendly songs with no meaning. And then it leads to other artists having to do the same in order to sell.
It’s more boring to be Lady Gaga these days than it is to just be yourself. All these artists want to follow the Lady Gaga concept to sell, when in fact, it’s being proven those who stick to what they do best are doing better **cough**Adele**cough**
Keep hating! <3
juz LOLz
No this tea with 2 sugars * crumpets on the side aint come for Mama Creole!!!
Has he forgotten that Beyonce did a little charity work and appeared on Xfactor UK?? -_-
@Mike u Leona fans are opportunist. Don’t start talking Ish now. I don’t see u defending her “boring-ness” in any other posts.
She’s boring. Shes more interesting when sjes riding horses. Yea I said it
i agree too. i have yet to feel in love with one of their songs on first listen, it usually after a video or performance and after a couple of weeks am already bored.
*fall in love
Trent why on earth will you expect the best performance from a pregnant woman. Mariah is not even know for being a good performer. Saying i care and i was here doesnt suit beyonce’s voice doesnt deduct from how good she souded. That being said, Cowel is probably mad because leona Lewis has been called boring.
I’m sorry, but can someone tell me what this “X-factor” is? And why does Leona Lewis have it, but not the other pop stars? Is this “X-factor” a good voice? ‘Cause that’s all Leona has. And she’s pretty. Is that included the the “X-factor?”
He’s kind of right but i think that has something to do with this generation. kids these days need more to captivate there attention. you need the videos and loud performances to hold your audience now. back in the day all a singer had to do is sit there and sing.
Trent I KNOW you didn’t just say that Lady Gaga doesn’t have depth in her albums…
Beyonce is not boring as an entertainer but if she was JUST a vocalist/musical artist, she would not be the most interesting, to be honest, and she would not stand out as much as she does as an entertainer. I’m just realizing this now but I look forward to Beyonce’s performances of her uptempo songs (she kills it!) more than her actual albums/songs (which tend to be generic pop/R&B music that is easily forgotten rather than timeless songs with depth).
We all know that Gaga is a visual artist – that is how she strives in the industry but I think she’s capable of so much more vocally, lyrically and musically than what she creates for her albums.
Looking at my ‘listening tendencies’, I don’t often listen to Beyonce’s or Katy Perry’s music for more than a few weeks after first hearing it, then the music becomes boring and redundant. I get tired of their music fairly quickly compared to music from other artists that I can listen to for months or even years and not ever get tired of it (true music ARTISTS).
Unless they improve what they produce musically and artistically, none of these women will be considered “musical icons or legends” – entertainers MAYBE (Gaga and Beyonce).
i don’t agree. i mean if you strip all those outrageous outfits that Gaga wears and put her behind a piano to sing you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Beyonce is far from boring. Maybe her personal life is but not her stage presence. I get that xfactor is about image but was Simon smoking crack when he made those comments?
I agree …..shhhit sometimes GaGa songs are ToO deep -_-
As far as just sitting hher behind the piano–>!!!!!!!!
When I saw the video of her performing Paparazzi I was surprised….then she slayed me with the acoustic version of “Edge of Glory” Wow!! She puts Alicia ‘he was Separated’ Keys ass to shame!
Oh and Trent says shit like that to make people comment. He knows by saying that shit we’d all start commenting
I kinda agree. For Beyonce case, whenever she has to sing a ballad she is kinda boring. Her voice is amazing but she tends to wanna be so damn perfect that it comes off boring, robotic and unnatural. She sometimes sings a emotional song without the emotions. She looks kinda robotic that it does become boring. Sometimes I want her to do some unnecessary runs or just go all out like Christina Aguilera or Adele, where you can feel them. She only comes alive when she has to sing an uptempo song. Beyonce tried to be less perfect then you will become perfect lol. In the words of Joss Stone ‘I might sing it out of tone, but it sure does feel good to me.’ As for Katy and Gaga I 100% agree there. If you take away Katy’s stupid blue wig and Gaga’s costumes and just saw them sing live with just a mic, then they will be just basic white bitches trying to sing a crappy generic pop song.
@B.Mattz
In regards to Beyoncé, I suggest you watch her singing “Resentment.” She rarely does it live, but when she does, it’s pretty emotional. Even on the CD it’s emotional. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5O0_2PX2HAc
Katy Perry can stand at a mic and play guitar and actually sound pretty good. (Her downfall is performing live).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRETavYtsKU&feature=related
And as far as Gaga goes. All of the stripped down performances she does, and you STILL say she needs her costumes??? Gaga is the best of them all because she can take her “crappy generic pop songs” and turn them into interesting piano driven tunes.
Always said Bey was way overrated as a vocalist and Gaga is a just a freakshow. Even with her talent the theatrics over shadows it. Womp womp.
SIMONS RIGHT, and Bey’s Retarded fans know it too.
trent is only placing the emphasis on beyonce to get hit
simon cowell always wants to have an opinion about everyone. the music industry has changed, it’s been about image for the past decade. at least beyonce and gaga that he’s on about are the few with actual talent. beyonce is an amazing vocalist, she’s no whitney but she can hold her own. like you said trent, fans would reject these artists if they do not provide the visuals and pop songs that today’s music industry is all about. that’s the market. simon cowell needs to keep shut for once. you don’t have to have an opinion about everything. he’s a music exec, he knows what the industry is like.
fact is. beyonce and lady gaga are the ones who will be legends from this generation.
I actually disagree with you Trent on some accounts. While GaGa’s lyrics on some of her songs are quite elementary, there are a few exceptions where her voice serves almost as a visual. On songs like “Bloody Mary,” “Americano,” “Hair,” and “Teeth” just to name a few, her voice changes drastically from her other work. While I do think that her look was necessary for her to succeed as much as she has, it’s not really fair to call her voice ‘boring’ by any means.
I really don’t think shows like X factor and AI find pure talent simply because its just one big Karaoke performance. it’s like ok who ever can pull of I will all ways love you, or rolling in the deep, wins. hell i say if you can pull of survivor, single ladies,born this way, bad romance, E.T, thriller, omg or we belong together the same or better than the original (thats the x Factor) it’s a million people who can stand there and sing a ballad, but only a few who can entertain or sing a uptempo/mid tempo and not look awkward. see what happened to 95% of the American Idols. Don’t believe me name 6 (winners) and their biggest single. without looking it up. Simon wants another Adele which = low budget and pure profit before a world tour. So Adele look out your about to have some (direct) competition in the near future, cause right now shes in a lane all by herself going full speed ahead.
Simon cowell is hating life because xfactors ratings are a flop. Trent how is Gaga releasing radio friendly material, aside from edge of glory. Katy perry has the same old remixed beat which she more than likely fuck for (benny blanco) also Simon had all three on uk xfactor, hypocritical flop!!!
@T I was totally thinking about Adele after reading this. That’s what he wants.
[...] Reports surfaced last week that Cowell had called Beyonce as well as Lady Gaga and Katy Perry “boring” but he swiftly issued a statement where he denied those claims. However, Cowell revealed that earlier in his career he did indeed make derisive comment about Beyonce, which eventually led to a very uncomfortable situation. [...]