America’s Got Talent Simon Cowell Opens Up About Mental Health Struggles

In a candid revelation that has left fans both surprised and inspired, the creative mastermind behind ‘America’s Got Talent’, Simon Cowell, opened up about his personal struggles and the transformative power of mental health therapy. At the age of 63, Simon embarked on a new chapter of his life, realizing that waiting wasn’t the solution, and sharing his story is now his mission.

The catalyst for this profound change was none other than the global upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking on ‘The Mirror’s Men in Mind’ podcast, a collaboration with the mental health organization Mind, Simon recounted how the pandemic brought his long-standing battle with depression to the forefront of his consciousness.

“COVID was the real catalyst,” he affirmed. “I’ve suffered from depression over the years… but that was just something I just thought, ‘Well, that’s my character trait. I get down,’ and it’s something you deal with.”

The pandemic’s early days were marked by anxiety and fear, as the record executive recounted the sickness experienced by close friends. This wave of uncertainty left him grappling with a deep-seated fear of the unknown, compounded by the constant influx of conflicting news.

“In the very, very, very early stages, some friends of mine got really ill [with COVID] and I’m talking about really ill,” he shared, reflecting on the initial shockwave.

As the world struggled to find a semblance of normalcy, Simon decided to confront his mental health head-on as the weight of anxiety and the insatiable desire to chase TV ratings for his shows had held him captive for far too long. In a pivotal moment of revelation, hetook a step he wished he had taken decades earlier – he turned to therapy.

“I wish I had done this 10 or 20 years ago… it’s like a weight has lifted off my shoulders,” Simon admitted, his voice resonating with newfound clarity. Therapy became his sanctuary, a safe space where he could unburden his mind and confront the patterns that had hindered his well-being.

The therapy experience transformed not only Simon’s perception of himself but also his approach to life. His focus shifted from external validations like TV ratings to inner contentment and growth. “It gave me a time to reflect on things in a way I never would have done before,” he shared.

Through introspection, the television personality recognized the need to care for his mental health just as he did for his physical health. “And that’s when I thought, you know what, I’ve kind of looked after my body… but what have I done about my brain and my mind and all that kind of thing? And the answer is nothing. And now’s the time to do it,” he mused.

Simon’s journey to therapy wasn’t without its apprehensions. As a British individual, he initially regarded therapy as something dramatic and distant, a notion embraced by American TV dramas but foreign to his sensibilities. Yet, as the conversations around mental health normalized, his perspective shifted, and he was fortunate to find a therapist who resonated with him, discovering that professionalism and understanding could bridge the gap between skepticism and acceptance.

“I sat down really embarrassed and I said, ‘Look I just don’t know where to start,’ ” Cowell stated, revealing the vulnerability that marked his first therapy encounter. The apprehension soon gave way to a sense of connection and liberation. Cowell realized he wasn’t being judged; he was being heard.

Through consistent therapy sessions, Cowell grappled with his self-imposed limitations. He broke free from the shackles of equating success with TV ratings, a revelation that lightened his spirit and fostered personal growth. “It was just like this massive load lifting off my shoulders,” Cowell confessed, acknowledging the transformative power of his therapeutic journey.

As he concluded the conversation, Cowell expressed a newfound willingness to share his story, hoping to destigmatize seeking help for mental health. With candor and conviction, he emphasized, “Now I am happy to talk about it to encourage others too.”