'American Idol' judge Simon Cowell to make $103 million by next fall

By Andrea Reiher

September 28, 2009 6:08 AM

Simon Cowell has reportedly inked a deal not only to extend his "American Idol" contract for two years but to produce "The X Factor" in the U.S. He will make over $100 million by this time next year.

The report from the New York Post (via the London Daily Mirror) also says that Paula Abdul is in the running as a judge on "The X Factor," which would not surprise us at all because it has always seemed as though Simon and Paula really are quite good friends.

This major contract would make Cowell the highest paid star on television, since Oprah's +$200 million earnings include her entire empire and not just her talk show. Cowell turns 50 years old on October 7th and to mark the occasion, he wrote a letter to his younger, 1980s self, which was published in the London Mail yesterday.

In it, he said, "For two or three years you have earned nothing of substance but you have racked up debts of nearly half a million quid. On what? On junk. Suddenly it all grinds to a halt. It's over."

After living a fast life for several years, Cowell reportedly crashed and burned and had to move back in with his parents amidst mountains of debt. He certainly seems to be playing it a bit more careful the second time around.

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Related Links
Simon on Paula, 'I miss her, of course.'
Simon Cowell to make more money than God
Simon and Ryan support Paula Abdul

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in American Idol, FOX, Reality TV, Television, The X Factor

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| Comments (5)

5 Comments

im not convinced he will remain at Idol. unless for some reason, he Has to. otherwise i think he would go for X factor America alongside Paula. u know Idol starring ellen-kara-randy wouldnt have a chance in hell against Paula-Simon on a New show w a new exciting format. well, maybe thats even the problem. Fox Knows idol wouldnt have chance, so i bet they are gonna make it complicated. oh well. But the American Idol format has peaked. its not gonna get bigger, its only gonna decline more and more. no, ellen isnt gonna save them lol. Thats why I dont get why simon would wanna continue on Idol when he could start a brand new show..

Sandy | September 28, 2009 6:42 AM

idol has definitely peaked. the show has maybe 1 year left at nr 1. at best. without Paula, i think they may loose nr 1 spot next year already. but everyone is saying "oh paula is crazy for leaving the nr 1 show". well, if she had signed on 5 years like Ellen did, she wouldnt be leaving the nr 1 show. she would have left the nr 20 show or something, then. Just like Ellen and co will now do. Ellen will be known as the onw who after she took over- Idol lost their popularity. no, might not happen overnight- but it Will happen. and then I think Ellens career in TV will be over, because who wants to give projects to somebody who helped take a show Down? whereas Paulas career should be just fine.

hi | September 28, 2009 7:02 AM

UGH! He does not deserve $1.03

Max | September 28, 2009 9:12 AM

Simon needs to quit Idol and judge X-Factor alongside Paula. Idol has already started going downhill, and now with the loss of Paula, there's no doubt that Idol's days are numbered. Simon should leave while Idol is still reigning at no. 1 coz that's not gonna be the case for long. And about Ellen being on the show, I just have one think to say ..... BYE BYE IDOL.

Annie | September 30, 2009 4:51 AM

Awww i am very happy now that Simon and Paula will be working together again! Im also glad Simon is bringing x factor to Americas tv :) i will be looking foward to watching itttt! Ps HAPPYBIRTHDAY SIMON!

Saula4everFan | October 1, 2009 11:45 AM