Will.i.am Claims Victory Over Simon Cowell In The Search For The UK’s Next Big Boyband
Will.i.am has thrown down the gauntlet, declaring that he’s outpaced Simon Cowell in the race to discover the UK’s next chart-topping boyband. As The Voice UK returns for its 13th season, the Black Eyed Peas frontman didn’t hold back in taking a swipe at Simon, asserting that his ability to both produce and mentor gives him the edge over the seasoned music mogul.
Earlier this year, Simon, 64, embarked on a nationwide search to find the next One Direction, the boyband he famously put together on The X Factor in 2010. That group — featuring Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, and Zayn Malik — became a global sensation, and Simon was hoping to replicate that success. But Will.i.am believes he’s already beaten him to the punch.
With a confident grin, Will.i.am told MailOnline that he has found the next big boyband. “And the difference between me and Simon is that I can write and produce it. He is looking for it, where as I can get in the kitchen and cook it up,” he stated.
During an early screening of The Voice, Will.i.am’s confidence was on full display. When asked about his expectations for the upcoming season, the Where Is The Love singer didn’t mince words: “What you can expect from me is to win this year. There are things that I remember, things that I don’t remember, but I remember winning.”
Meanwhile, Simon’s quest to find the next big thing appears to have hit a snag. Despite a heavy advertising campaign, his search didn’t drum up the talent he was hoping for. Reports suggest that the idea of finding another boyband sensation has been shelved, with some insiders claiming that Simon may need to accept that the era of the chart-topping boyband could be over.
An insider from Simon’s Netflix documentary, The Midas Touch, shared with the Daily Mail, “Simon has been told the original idea behind the series needs to change. Rather than focusing on the creation of a boyband capable of massive success, the focus is now much more on him and his frustration with the auditions.”
Simon’s disappointment is evident, as many of the singers who auditioned were cast-offs from other bands that didn’t make it. “It’s devastating for him,” the insider added, noting that Simon has had to come to terms with the changing landscape of the music industry.
As The Voice UK gears up for its latest season, Will.i.am is joined by returning judge Sir Tom Jones, along with new faces Tom Fletcher from McFly, Danny Jones, and ’90s pop icon LeAnn Rimes. This year’s lineup marks a significant shift for the show, following the unexpected departure of Olly Murs, who was told by ITV bosses that they were “looking at new people” for the coaching role.
Olly expressed his disappointment with the decision, saying, “I got the call to say I won’t be back on the show, and it’s a bit of a shock, to be honest. I didn’t expect that… Did I want to leave? No. Will I still watch the show? Of course, but it’ll be sore thinking that could have been me.”
Anne-Marie was also dropped from the series before the upcoming 2024 show, making way for the new coaching lineup.
As The Voice UK continues to evolve, one thing is clear: Will.i.am is confident that his hands-on approach to mentoring, combined with his musical talents, will lead to success. Whether he can truly outshine Simon remains to be seen, but the competition is sure to be fierce as both industry titans vie to shape the future of pop music.
The Voice UK airs Saturday, August 31, at 8 p.m. on ITV1 & ITVX.
