Putting 'Idol' behind him, Cowell asks, 'Who's Haley Reinhart?'
Simon Cowell, the caustic former judge on “American Idol,” looked confused when asked Thursday about Wheeling resident Haley Reinhart, who's making a run at the “Idol” crown this year.
“Who's Haley Reinhart?” he asked.
Hmmm ... apparently Cowell isn't paying too much attention to his former show.
Cowell appeared in Hoffman Estates on Thursday for a taping of his new program, “The X Factor,” which will air on FOX this fall. “The X Factor” is a singing competition that will give the winner a $5 million record deal.
The Chicago area is one of several regions across the country hosting auditions for the show. The first round of auditions at the Sears Centre was held last month with no judges present. Those who survived that round auditioned Thursday in front of Cowell and the show's other three judges — British pop star Cheryl Cole, record executive Antonio “L.A.” Reid, and Cowell's old foil on “Idol,” Paula Abdul.
In Thursday's carefully choreographed event, the judges arrived at the Sears Centre separately, each getting a chance to pose for pictures and shake hands with screaming fans.
“Believe it or not, I'm thrilled to be working with Simon again,” Abdul said with a smile. “Actually, I'm filled with gratitude to be part of this. And I have high hopes for the Chicago auditions. So many great entertainers have come from here.”
Cowell agreed. He pointed to the past success on “Idol” of Chicago-area residents like Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson and Mount Prospect native Lee DeWyze, who won the title last year, and said he wouldn't be surprised if the region produced another star on “The X Factor.”
“I wouldn't have brought us to Chicago if I didn't think we could find a star here,” he told reporters before walking into the arena.
When asked if the competitive side of him hopes that “X Factor” will beat “Idol” in the ratings, Cowell gave a mischievous smile.
“Nooooo,” he said, with mock horror. Then he smiled again: “Slightly,” he said.