Jill O'Rourke
Jill O’Rourke is a contributor at Talent Recap, writing news stories and recaps for shows like ‘AGT,’ ‘The Voice,’ and ‘American Idol.’ She graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in English and Film Studies, and has been writing about pop culture since 2012, with previous bylines at Crushable and A Plus. Jill spends her free time binge-watching sitcoms and daydreaming about life as a hobbit
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| January 9, 2021 SIGN IN TO SAVE POST
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Simon Cowell has been in the music business since the 1980s, and his talent shows have shot several well-known singers to stardom over the years. Many of these artists have even signed record deals with Simon.
Because of this, Simon has gotten credit for discovering, mentoring, and managing a number of successful acts. Check out ten of the most well-known examples below, including both solo artists and groups.
Artists Simon Cowell Discovered
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Sinitta
We couldn’t talk about artists Simon has discovered without mentioning Sinitta. In the 1980s, Simon created Fanfare Records and signed pop star Sinitta, who gave him his first hit with “So Macho.” The pair also dated, and they remain friends to this day.
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Leona Lewis
In 2006, Leona Lewis auditioned for The X Factor and ended up being mentored by Simon. She won the competition and signed a £1 million recording contract with Simon’s Syco Records. Leona released a cover of Kelly Clarkson’s “A Moment Like This,” which became the second-biggest single in the UK that year.
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Susan Boyle
Susan surprised everyone in 2009 when she auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent with a stunning performance of “I Dreamed a Dream.” Although she didn’t win the competition, Simon Cowell gave her a record deal with his label Syco. Susan later called Simon “the best boss in the world.”
RELATED: SIMON COWELL WANTS TO PUT THIS 12-YEAR-OLD ‘AGT’ DANCER IN A MUSIC VIDEO
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One Direction
In 2010, the members of One Direction auditioned for The X Factor separately. The show put them together into a group. It was my idea,” Simon has said. “It was really weird. I just said, ‘Why don’t we put these guys into a group?’ It took 10 minutes!” Although they didn’t win the competition, Simon signed them to Syco, and the rest is history.
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Jackie Evancho
In 2010, this young classical singer became the runner-up on AGT, and later signed with Syco and Columbia Records. She returned to the Got Talent stage in 2019 for Champions, with Simon calling her performance “outstanding.”
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Little Mix
This girl group was formed on The X Factor in 2011, and went on to win the show. They signed with Simon’s label Syco, and their debut single “Cannonball” topped the UK singles chart. The group worked with Syco until 2018, releasing several albums.
RELATED: SIMON COWELL IS SHOCKED WHEN ‘X FACTOR’ CONTESTANT HE ELIMINATED COMES BACK [VIDEO]
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Fifth Harmony
This girl group was formed on the American version of The X Factor in 2012. They finished in third place, and signed a joint record deal with Syco and L.A. Reid’s Epic Records. Simon had a hand in getting Camila Cabello onto the show. She had been placed on “reserve,” meaning her audition could be cut for time. Simon found her crying during a cigarette break and made sure she got to audition.
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James Arthur
This singer won The X Factor in 2012, and signed with Simon’s Syco Records. He released a cover of “Impossible” by Shontelle which debuted at the top of the UK singles chart. Although he left Syco in 2014 after several controversies, James re-signed with the label in 2016.
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Labrinth
After working as a writer and producer, this singer was signed to Simon’s Syco Records in 2010. This was significant, in that he was the first artist signed to the label in six years who hadn’t appeared on one of Simon’s talent shows. Labrinth has released two solo albums and formed the supergroup LSD with Sia and Diplo.
RELATED: SIMON COWELL RIDES JET SKIS IN FAVORITE VACATION SPOT WITH FAMILY AFTER BREAKING HIS BACK
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Grace VanderWaal
Howie Mandel hit the Golden Buzzer for this young singer-songwriter on AGT in 2016, but it was Simon Cowell who signed her to record her first album with Syco for Columbia Records after she won the show. She’s also released an EP and several singles since her win.
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