Simon Cowell’s new Netflix documentary, the Next Act, follows the music mogul – and his wife, Lauren – as the Britain’s Got Talent star looks for the next big boyband
Simon Cowell has admitted he wanted to pull the plug on his new Netflix documentary, The Next Act, which drops on the streaming platform today.
Seven years after The X Factor last aired, the music mogul, 66, is back with fans offering a behind-the-scenes look as he puts together a new band. The show features an in-depth look at how the music industry has changed – as well as fly-on-the wall scenes with Simon’s wife Lauren.
In a sneak peak of the show, Lauren, who is mum to Simon’s son, Eric, 10, warns the star he ‘worries too much’ as well as telling her partner of 11 years: “As long as I’m part of the journey” as Simon excitedly announces The Next Act’s ambitious format.
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Admitting he almost abandoned the project, which sees the star travelling around the country trying to find the singers he needs, he told Good Morning Britain today: “I almost pulled the plug.” Explaining his fears for the format of the show, he continued: “Things have changed so much. These boys are used to making music in their bedroom and now they’re in a live audition.”
GMB host, Susana Reid, praised Lauren for taking part in the show and “opening the doors” to the notoriously private couple’s relationship.
In one scene from the show, the mum-of-two accuses Simon of “moaning” before dramatically exiting in a heated moment. In the middle of auditioning potential band members, Simon takes a breather in episode two – resorting to an IV vitamin drip to rejuvenate his energy levels.
His partner, Lauren, expresses her concerns about his risk of “burnout” to the camera crew while also discussing her son Adam, who lives overseas.
Begging Lauren not to make him go to the whole of Adam’s graduation, Simon says: “Tell me about the weekend. I don’t have to be there for the whole graduation, do I?”
Lauren retorts: “Babe, you’re doing one thing for me which is going to my son’s high school graduation. Yes, you have to be there, OK? I mean, it’s not going to be long.
“Oh it is Lauren. They go on for hours”, Simon interjects as Lauren counters: “Babe, it’s one grade. It’s not like it’s a whole school. You’re his stepfather and he’s so proud of you. He wants to like, you know, show you off. He’s really excited for you to be there.”
Clearly emotional, Lauren concludes: “You make me feel bad about the graduation. You’ve known about this for f*****g five years. Now you’re making me feel like you don’t want to go. Then don’t go.
“You’re moaning about everything. Do whatever you want.”
* The Next Act is available on Netflix from December 10
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