simon cowell

'American Idol's' Simon Cowell and Simon Fuller Moving on to Formula 1?

Filed under: Sports

Between the two of them, Simon Cowell and Simon Fuller have no shortage of successes to claim their own. Many of those accomplishments revolve around reality television programs like "American Idol," "X Factor," "So You Think You Can Dance?" and "America's Got Talent." Bernie Ecclestone apparently thinks quite highly of their show business acumen, and is now reportedly recruiting their talents to bring an added dose of showmanship to Formula One racing.

One idea Cowell and Fuller have reportedly put forward to the billionaire F1 chief is to cut the three-day grand prix weekend to two, and to replace the customary Friday practice sessions with a second preview race.

Cowell is a known racing fan and automotive enthusiast, while Fuller has been actively involved in the sport previously. The producer/promoter headed up the Honda F1 Team's branding initiative several years ago, and recently signed former world champion Lewis Hamilton to his talent agency alongside the likes of David Beckham, Sir Michael Caine and Jennifer Lopez.

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Tags: American Idol, bernie ecclestone, f1, formula 1, formula one, racing, simon cowell, simon fuller

Simon Cowell Plays Second Fiddle to Sean "Diddy" Combs in St. Barths

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets, Yachts & Sailing, Wealth

American Idol bigwig Simon Cowell got one-upped by Sean "P. Diddy" Combs in St. Barths over the New Year's holiday where his superyacht played second fiddle to the rap mogul's state-of-the-art iPad-controlled craft. Cowell chartered his favorite yacht, the 196-ft. Slipstream (above) built by France's CMN Shipyard, for $450,000 plus expenses. With luxe accommodation for 12 guests plus a crew of 14, Slipstream features mirrors above a giant waterbed, a Jacuzzi, an observation lounge with panoramic views, gym and a sky lounge with a retractable roof. Diddy's yacht Solemates runs to $600,000 per week plus expenses and is a critical 12 inches longer than Cowell's. In addition to the iPad concierge Solemates accommodates 12 guests in six luxurious cabins and features a sun lounge wrapped around a Jacuzzi forward; a discotheque sound and lighting system turns it into an al fresco nightclub. Cowell's cruise was also somewhat hampered by the fact that he had several warring females aboard. While Diddy's yacht is blandly luxurious, Cowell's yacht has a bit more style; take a look at the images of both below and tell us what you think.

Gallery: 'Solemates' iPad Superyacht Charter

Gallery: Simon Cowell Superyacht 'Slipstream'

[via JamesList]

Tags: American Idol, celebrity, Diddy, iPad, P. Diddy, Sean Combs, Simon Cowell, simon+cowell+yacht, simoncowellyacht, Solemates, St. Barths, superyacht, yacht

Simon Cowell Superyacht 'Slipstream' Available for Charter

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing, Celebrity Shopping

Want to cruise in style like Simon Cowell? Slipstream (above), the superyacht the American Idol creator spent his summer lounging around on is now available for charter with rates starting at about $450,000 per week – though if you want the full luxury package including private chef that Cowell splashed out for be prepared to pay around twice that amount. The sleek 196-ft. craft can accommodate 12 guests plus a crew of 14 and features mirrors above a giant waterbed, a Jacuzzi, an observation lounge with panoramic views, gym and a sky lounge with a retractable roof.

Launched last year by France's CMN Shipyard, their largest yacht to date, Slipstream's decor is a stylish mix of modern and nautical, taking full advantage of the yacht's panoramic windows. The interiors are finished in a neo-Art Deco style combining dark ebony woodwork and red leather paneling. The sundeck is kitted out with a spa, sun-pads, bar with BBQ and al-fresco dining area, and the yacht comes equipped with a cutting edge home entertainment system and satellite communications center.

[via JustLuxe]

Gallery: Simon Cowell Superyacht 'Slipstream'

Tags: American Idol, celebrity, France, Simon Cowell, simon+cowell+yacht, simoncowellyacht, superyacht, superyacht+slipstream, superyachtslipstream, yacht, yacht charter

The Classicist: The Summer of Superstars Borrowing Superyachts

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing, Celebrity Shopping, The Classicist, Wealth

The other day we reported that Madonna has borrowed Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich's brand new superyacht, the 377-ft. Luna, while filming the new Duke of WIndsor movie she's directing in the South of France. The yacht is fitted out with two helicopter pads, a covered pool, spa, medical center, hot tub and 40 staff, including butlers and a macrobiotic chef. The middle-aged Material Girl isn't the only celeb cadging a ride on a pal's superyacht this summer, however – everyone from Brad and Angelina to the Beckhams are living it up on the high seas, though some stars are actually paying their way. Here's the full rundown on the famous folk's nautical hijinks:

1. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie: the world's most famous movie star couple have borrowed Johnny Depp's classic yacht, the 156-ft. Vajoliroja (above), which as we noted in April is available for charter at $130,000 per week, JustLuxe reports. The mahogany paneled craft features accommodations for 10 guests and a crew of 8, a formal dining room, library, plush salon and outdoor seating and eating areas, all decorated in Depp's signature version of Art Deco Paris meets the Orient Express.

2. David Beckham and Victoria Beckham: Posh and Becks have borrowed their pal designer Roberto Cavalli's iridescent 133-ft. yacht, the RC, which features a leopardskin interior, 15 bedrooms, a gym, whirlpool spa and locker full of fur coats for when the weather turns cool. Supposedly Cavalli only allows clothes he designed to be worn onboard.

3. Simon Cowell: The TV star is one of the few celebs footing the bill for his fun, having shelled out a whopping $975,000 per week to charter the 196-ft. Slipstream. The 12-berth yacht boasts sumptuous leather sofas, mirrors above a giant waterbed, a Jacuzzi, an observation lounge with panoramic views, gym, a sky lounge with a retractable roof and a crew of 14 including a private chef.

4. Paris Hilton: The world's biggest party girl is kicking back on Microsoft magnate Paul Allen's 300-ft. pleasure craft the Tatoosh, which as we recently reported has been put up for sale at $160 million. The yacht, which has a pool, hot tub, cinema, basketball court, recording studio, spa, massage room, gym, games room and helicopter pad, comes with a crew of 30. "The best summer of my life," Paris recently tweeted about the trip. "Our yacht is incredible! I'm in heaven on the water. Definitely the biggest and best yacht everywhere we go. Love it! Huge!" [continued]

Gallery: Superstars & Superyachts

Sir Philip Green's Lionheart - Kate Moss

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Tags: Angelina Jolie, billionaire, Brad Pitt, celebrity, celebrity vacation, David Beckham, Eva Longoria, France, Guy Ritchie, Heidi Klum, Jacqui Ainsley, Johnny Depp, Kate Moss, Luna, Madonna, megayacht, Paris Hilton, Paul Allen, Roberto Cavalli, Roman Abramovich, Simon Cowell, Sir Philip Green, South of France, Spain, supermodel, superyacht, Tatoosh, Vajoliroja, Victoria Beckham, yacht

Continue reading “The Classicist: The Summer of Superstars Borrowing Superyachts”

Development Delays Mean Paradise Postponed For Simon Cowell

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Celebrity Shopping, Real Estate Developments

It's not always easy to feel sorry for professional crankypants Simon Cowell but we have to feel a little sorry for the American Idol judge over the trouble facing his Barbados home. According to the Daily Mail, Cowell shelled out £15 million in Barbados for his own luxury home but has yet to be able to move in. Cowell who usually spends the holidays at the luxurious Sandy Lane hotel resort in Barbados is spending this year on a £625,000-a-week super-yacht cruising round Barbados, Grenada and Antigua and St Barts.

Cowell's home was supposed to be finished in 2008 but the official finishing date for his home is now 2011. The Daily Mail article says that there are currently no signs of work at the Four Seasons compound at Black Rock which also includes plots owned by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Formula One boss Eddie Jordan. Work ended last February and debts are mounting on the property. The developers have said there will be an update soon but many investors are worried and some have been quietly asking about getting their money back.

British developer and hotelier Mike Pemberton and his business partner, Robin Paterson bought the site in 2005 with a $40 million loan from the Bank of Scotland. They planned 36 luxury villas and a Four Seasons hotel. Buyers snapped up the first phase and the second phase sold well at prices between £6 and £11 million. Cowell bought two home sites. All the villas would include the services of butlers and other staff from the Four Seasons hotel whenever the villa owners were in residence. The villas would be outfitted with the finest finishes including teak doors from Indonesia and antiques sourced from French flea markets.

It sounds perfect but the Daily Mail article says the project was plagued with problems including controversy over Chinese laborers. Some also said the project was in a place that was too touristy. The Four Seasons has said that construction would resume on the project soon and that the 2011 completion date was still valid. Pemberton has spent the last few months seeking investors and has said that all creditors will eventually be paid. Cowell, who has a brother in the property development business, is said to be unconcerned about the delay. After all, with a house in London, one in Los Angeles and plenty of money, he's never lacking for a place to stay.

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Tags: barbados, four seasons, FourSeasons, simon cowell, SimonCowell

Kate Moss to Sign $80 Million Deal with Simon Cowell

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wealth, Celebrity Design

Kate Moss is set to become the world's richest model thanks to a lucrative new deal she's about to ink with British mogul Sir Philip Green, shown with Kate above, and TV producer extraordinaire Simon Cowell. The 35-year-old supermodel is joining forces with the two men on a new $1.6 billion global multi-faceted entertainment company. Green owns the Topshop brand which Moss recently collaborated with for a new collection. Moss will direct the style and image of the as-yet-unnamed empire, as well as give fashion-related branding advice, under the terms of the deal which could net her up to $80 million based on profit-sharing arrangements, the London Daily Mail reports. The sum would double Moss' fortune giving her a net worth of about $160 million, the paper notes. In essence the plan is to merchandise the hell out of Cowell's hit TV shows both here and abroad. The prospect of Moss getting involved in the music side of the business has also been floated.

Gallery: Kate Moss for Longchamp

Tags: business, entertainment, Kate Moss, KateMoss, Simon Cowell, SimonCowell, Sir Philip Green, SirPhilipGreen, supermodels, Topshop, UK

Simon Cowell Moves Into New $22 Million Mansion

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Celebrity Shopping

Back in March we reported that American Idol star Simon Cowell was installing a private tanning salon in his new $22 million mansion in Beverly Hills. Now the London Daily Mail reports Cowell is finally ready to occupy the lavish 11,550-sq.-ft. estate. Cowell bought the property for $12 million nearly two years ago but razed the original structure. The new modern mansion has 24-ft. tall windows in the living rooms with sweeping views over Los Angeles. Neighbors include Tom Cruise, Madonna, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne and Victoria and David Beckham.

"I look out over the Hollywood Hills into my neighbors' gardens," Cowell said in an interview last year. "It's an amazing view." Not good enough to "see into their homes," he noted, "so you can't see them in the shower - but you can see into their gardens. It's great fun. I just like to keep an eye on what is happening." Cowell has described the modern mansion as his "dream home" and has said he's been involved in the design "right down to the doorknobs."

The five-bedroom mansion features a state-of-the-art gym in the basement, a luxury spa complete with wet steam room, a custom-made media room with a marble bar area and plush leather seating for 20, a gallery for Cowell's gold and platinum records and awards, and an indoor lap pool. The property has a separate staff quarters containing a servants' kitchen for Cowell's live-in butler and maid. The pool cabana has a retractable roof, wet bar and changing rooms and there's a putting green at the rear of the property.

Tags: American Idol, AmericanIdol, Beverly Hills, BeverlyHills, celebrity, Hollywood Hills, HollywoodHills, mansion, Simon Cowell, SimonCowell, TV

Simon Cowell Installs Private Tanning Salon in New $22 Million Mansion

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Wealth

TV star Simon Cowell obviously hasn't been much affected by the credit crunch; he's installing a private tanning salon in his brand new $22 million Beverly Hills mansion (above) so he can maintain the perfect bronzed appearance, the London Daily Mail reports. The paper got an exclusive look at plans for the lavish 11,550-sq.-ft. estate, which is due to be completed next week, and they revealed a solarium off the master bedroom complete with one full-length tanning machine and a smaller "booster" facial tanner. Cowell, 49, is reportedly worth $190 million.

He bought the property for $12 million nearly two years ago but razed the original structure to build what he has called his "dream home," the paper reports. The new modern mansion has 24-ft. tall windows in the living rooms with sweeping views over Los Angeles. Neighbors include Tom Cruise, Madonna, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne and Victoria and David Beckham. "I've been involved in every aspect of the design of the new place, right down to the doorknobs," Cowell tells the paper. "I have other houses but this is my dream home."

Cowell and his ex-girlfriend Terri Seymour, who will have her own suite at the house, visited the property last weekend in his Bugatti Veyron and he later returned in his black Bentley convertible, the paper reports. The five-bedroom mansion also features a state-of-the-art gym in the basement, a luxury spa complete with wet steam room, and an indoor lap pool in addition to the solarium. The property has a separate staff quarters containing a servants' kitchen, and a source tells the paper Cowell will have a live-in butler and maid.

Other features of the estate include a custom-made media room with a marble bar area and plush leather seating for 20 in a private cinema. The pool cabana has a retractable roof, wet bar and changing rooms and there is a putting green at the rear of the property. Cowell s also building a $13 million vacation home in Barbados. His main UK property is an $11 million house in London's upscale Holland Park. He also owns a villa in Spain and a $1.5 million investment property on the Palm Jumeirah island in Dubai.

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Tags: Beverly Hills, BeverlyHills, celebrity, Los Angeles, LosAngeles, mansion, Simon Cowell, SimonCowell, television

Simon Cowell Picks Up A Bugatti Veyron

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Celebrity Shopping

Simon Cowell blew some serious cash on some serious wheels recently when he had some spare time on his hands (and apparently some spare cash) due to a week off work for the Rugby World Cup. He dropped over £1,000,000 in LA on two new cars: a £750,000 Bugatti Veyron and a £400,000 Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe.

Somehow this doesn't surprise me. Simon Cowell hardly seems to shy away from flash and attention, and although fast cars don't necessarily mean an ego problem (I would love to have a Veyron myself!) I think in his case they might!

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Tags: auto, automobile, automobiles, autos, bugatti, bugatti veyron, BugattiVeyron, car, cars, cowell, ferrari, phantom, phantom coupe, PhantomCoupe, rolls royce, RollsRoyce, simon cowell, SimonCowell, veyron, wheels

How Much Would You Pay To Have George Clooney's Hands On You?

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Auctions

The fun thing about the Get Hands On Campaign of celebrity handprinted T-shirts from James Perse is seeing which celeb handprints are bringing in the most money on Charity Folks. The high-ticket item for the auction which benefits the Revlon/UCLA Women's Cancer Research Program is a shirt from George Clooney. Clooney's pink paw prints are currently trading at a brisk $1,000 easily outpacing the king of tiny T-shirts Simon Cowell who floats in at a distant second of $330 but is still far above Paula Abdul, Randy Johnson and Ryan Seacrest (who was going for $85 last time I checked). Bargain shopping? The T-shirts from actors in the cast of "Scrubs." NBC's Hoda Kotb and comedian Carlos Mencia are bidless thus far but we've still got over a week to save them the shame of making unwanted T-shirts.

If you simply must have Clooney, you can also donate $45 to the Entertainment Industry Foundation and pick up a limited edition version of handprints done by George Clooney, Samuel L. Jackson or Keira Knightley.

[via The Stylephile]

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Tags: carlos mencia, charity folks, george clooney, james perse, JamesPerse, keira knightley, paula abdul, samuel l. jackson, simon cowell

Is Simon Cowell Tearing Down J. Lo.'s Old House?

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Nothing is ever good enough for American Idol judge Simon Cowell. According to the 3AM Girls, Cowell is tearing down his Beverly Hills home. The mansion, which cost over $10 million used to belong to Jennifer Lopez. J. Lo.'s white-on-white minimalist style wasn't right for Simon and so he is tearing it down and building a new one more to his liking. I'm wondering if this is the same house Sam Nazarian bought last year. Either way it's a pretty expensive tear-down even by Beverly Hills standards.

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Tags: beverly hills, celebrity real estate, jennifer lopez, simon cowell, SimonCowell

simon cowell

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