SHOW BIZ

Simon Cowell’s new Netflix show sees the music mogul go on the hunt for his next big boyband.

Simon Cowell’s latest Netflix series is almost ready to launch, unveiling the genuine story behind one of One Direction’s most memorable tracks.

The legendary music mogul and Britain’s Got Talent supremo returns to television tomorrow, Wednesday, December 10, on the streaming giant.

This fresh venture allows viewers to witness the entire process from its inception, as Simon conducts auditions and brings hopeful band members to America to compete for their spot in the group.

To assist in assembling the new boyband, the 66-year-old recruited some of his most reliable collaborators, including former Pop Idol panellist Peter Waterman and singer-songwriter Kamille.

However, it’s the involvement of songwriter and producer Savan Koetcha that truly captures audiences’ interest, having amassed over 102 billion streams throughout his career.

“Simon gave me my first big break as a songwriter”, Savan revealed.

“And so, since then, we’ve worked very closely on a lot of stuff.”

Simon remarked: “And also you gave us the first hit for One Direction, What Makes You Beautiful.”

Revealing the track’s origins, Savan then disclosed: “It was written about my wife. So there you go. True story.”

Savan has been wed to Anna Gustavsson since 2009, with whom he has two sons, and has previously spoken openly about her serving as the muse for the beloved One Direction anthem.

Two years ago, Savan took to Instagram to share his joy, stating: “I figured I would write a little something in celebration of What makes you beautiful hitting a billion streams on Spotify.”

He expressed his gratitude, saying: “In the past, I may have taken something like this for granted, but I (thankfully) don’t anymore. This song means so much to me for several reasons.”

Savan continued: “My two boys know this song is about their mother. It makes me so emotional to know that they can see/feel/hear millions (now billions) of people listen to a song about how beautiful and wonderful their mom is. I think she’s starting to like it now too.”

Simon Cowell : The Next Act will premiere on Netflix on Wednesday, December 10.

SINGER Sabrina Carpenter is so Espress-ive as she steps out in New York City.

The Taste star wore an oversized sweatshirt and tights as she left filming of US chat show Late Night with Seth Meyers.

During the recording 26-year-old Sabrina wore a retro black-and-white ­layered dress.

The outfit appeared in designer Chantal Thomass’ 1994 Fall collection during Paris Fashion Week and was modelled on the runway by Claudia Schiffer.

Sabrina enjoys the sweet smell of success as one of the most streamed artists in the UK this year.

But no British stars made the annual Spotify Top Ten as fans turned their backs on homegrown music.

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US singer Sabrina was the third most played artist among millions of UK Spotify users — while her 2024 album Short n’ Sweet, featuring hit Espresso, was the most streamed.

Sabrina, who has just launched her new Sweet Tooth range of perfumes, was beaten by US pop superstar Taylor Swift and the Canadian rapper Drake.

Oasis were a surprise omission after 1.5 million fans saw their reunion gigs this summer.

South London’s Lola Young, 24, was the only Brit with a song in the UK Top Ten.

Messy, which hit No1 in November 2024, was the third most streamed track.

Tunes from American singer-songwriters took the first and second spots: the emotional track Ordinary by Alex Warren and the break-up song That’s So True by Gracie Abrams.

Globally, Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny topped the streaming chart with 19.8 billion, followed by Taylor Swift.

The most streamed song of the year worldwide was Die With a Smile by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, with 1.7 billion streams.

Grammy-nominated gospel singer Jubilant Sykes was stabbed to death in his Santa Monica home late Sunday, and his son was taken into custody at the scene, police said.

The 71-year-old, a prominent singer as well as an actor, was pronounced dead shortly after police arrived at the residence, according to Santa Monica Police Lt. Lewis Gilmore. There, they also discovered his son, 31-year-old Micah Sykes, still inside the Delaware Avenue home. He was booked on suspicion of homicide.

Over his career, Jubilant Sykes performed in venues around the world and across genres — opera, gospel, spirituals, show tunes, folk and pop — working with figures including Renée Fleming, Terence Blanchard, Carlos Santana, Julie Andrews and Brian Wilson. His resume included the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, the Apollo Theater and the Metropolitan Opera. In 2010, he earned a Grammy nomination for his recording of Leonard Bernstein’s “Mass.”

On Sunday, Sykes’ wife, Cecelia, initially reported the incident as an assault. She told investigators her son had a history of mental illness, though detectives have not determined whether it played a role in the killing.

“The suspect was cooperative and taken into police custody without incident,” Gilmore said. “The entire tragedy took place within the confines of the family home.”

Police had not received any recent domestic calls involving the family prior to the incident, and the motive remains under investigation, police said.

“She wasn’t really aware of an altercation or an argument that led up to the stabbing,” Gilmore said, adding that Cecelia Sykes did not report feeling endangered during the incident. “I know the suspect had free access to the house. It is unclear if he was living there on a full-time or part-time basis, but it is the family home and he was allowed to be there.”

Police believe only the couple and their son were inside at the time.

Jubilant Sykes was born in Los Angeles in 1954, and his unique first name came courtesy of his mother.

“She named me that simply because she wanted me to be jubilant,” Sykes told The Times in 1996. “And when it comes to music, I am.”

He grew up in the city and sang soprano as a boy until his voice changed. Sykes later said he lost interest in music for a bit until a music teacher showed him how to use his new teen voice.

“I can’t remember ever not singing,” he told The Times in 1999, recalling music filling the house and piano lessons as a child.

After graduating from high school, Sykes majored in music at Cal State Fullerton.

“I just threw myself into it, totally clueless,” he said years later.

His shift toward classical singing was cemented after he won first place in the Metropolitan Opera’s Los Angeles regional auditions, leading to a debut at New York’s Metropolitan Opera in 1990.

He also appeared on film soundtracks and took occasional acting roles, including in the Cuba Gooding Jr. film “Freedom,” and in the musical “1776” at New York City Center. In Southern California, he performed on the opening-night bill for the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center in 2008 and a 2006 performance with Carlos Santana at the Hollywood Bowl.

In addition to his wife and son, Jubilant Sykes is survived by two more sons.

An investigation of Sunday’s stabbing is underway, according to Gilmore.

Details on Micah Sykes’ bail and his first court appearance were not immediately available.