Simon Cowell has expressed regret over his behavior towards Susan Boyle during her initial audition, acknowledging that he was ‘horrible.’ Despite nearly two decades passing since Susan’s standout performance, the memory of the judges’ dismissive reactions, including Cowell, still lingers.

At the time of her audition, Susan, now 65, faced disapproving looks from both the audience and panelists Amanda Holden, Piers Morgan, and head judge Simon. Reflecting on the incident in an interview on Tales From The Celebrity Trenches podcast, Cowell described their response as “awful and horrible,” admitting they appeared even worse than he originally thought.

Cowell further disclosed that he had the option to edit out his harsh critique but chose not to, believing it served as a valuable lesson for himself and the other judges. He emphasized the importance of not judging based on appearances, especially after Susan shared her aspiration to emulate Elaine Page, a renowned singing sensation.

Amanda Holden, acknowledging her own misjudgment of Susan, expressed her delight at Susan’s success despite the initial skepticism. Susan, in an interview, revealed feeling like a ‘circus freak’ during the audition, highlighting the challenging environment she faced.

Despite not winning the competition, Susan’s career flourished, with 23 million albums sold, chart-topping hits in the UK and the US, and a place in the Guinness World Records. A decade later, she made a triumphant return to the show, receiving a warm reception from Simon.

Susan’s success continues to grow, evident in her recent acquisition of a new home near her manager. The journey from a challenging audition to international stardom showcases her resilience and talent, proving that initial judgments are not always accurate.