![One Mean Dude: Re-Visiting Simon Cowell’s Most Memorable Insults](http://townsquare.media/site/252/files/2017/06/Simon.jpg?w=630&h=420&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=980&q=75)
One Mean Dude: Re-Visiting Simon Cowell’s Most Memorable Insults
Never one to mince words, Simon Cowell has once again made waves for how he talks to wannabe superstars.
Cowell has been accused of sexism for remarks he made about a female contestant's legs on Britain's Got Talent, where he currently earns a paycheck as a judge (he's also on America's Got Talent).
Being direct is Cowell's calling card. His brutal assessments of the talent that tried out for American Idol made him a household name and helped turn what was then a summer reality show into a global phenomenon. Some applauded his brusque honesty, some felt it made great entertainment and some felt it was just too cruel.
No one has the knack for cutting down a person's dream quicker or more viciously than the caustic Cowell. And his tart tongue turned him into a small screen superstar, proving that viewers were drawn to his unparalleled honesty and blistering evaluations. Indeed, Idol lost some of its gusto when he left the show.
Maybe you've forgotten just how callous Cowell could be. Lucky for you, the record is there for your viewing pleasure. Here's a look at some of his most memorable insults. We're guessing some of these hopefuls are still crying at the tongue lashing they received.
The Season 1 Photos You Never Saw:
More From 96.9 Zoo FM
![Kelly Clarkson Will Fill In for Simon Cowell on ‘AGT’](http://townsquare.media/site/252/files/2017/09/simon-cowell-kelly-clarkson-agt-reunite.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![This ‘AGT’ Contestant Sounds *Exactly* Like Whitney Houston + It’s Freaking People Out](http://townsquare.media/site/252/files/2018/06/agt-glennis-grace-whitney-houston.png?w=980&q=75)
![Louis Tomlinson Makes Live Solo Debut With ‘Just Hold On’ Just Days After His Mother’s Death](http://townsquare.media/site/252/files/2016/12/louis-tomlinson-x-factor.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![One Direction’s Zayn, Liam and Niall Rally Around Louis in Wake of His Mother’s Death](http://townsquare.media/site/252/files/2015/10/LouisTomlinson.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Simon Cowell Signing Cruz Beckham? Next-Gen Spice Upon Us](http://townsquare.media/site/252/files/2016/09/cruz-beckham-simon-cowell-signing.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![‘America’s Got Talent’ Winner Grace Vanderwaal Signed by Columbia, Now Labelmates With Beyonce](http://townsquare.media/site/252/files/2016/09/grace-vanderwaal-record-deal.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Ukelele-Playing ‘AGT’ Winner Reminded Simon Cowell of Kelly Clarkson’s ‘Idol’ Win](http://townsquare.media/site/252/files/2016/09/grace-vanderwaal-agt-win.png?w=980&q=75)
![Simon Cowell Maybe Spurned By Liam Payne, Implies Disloyalty](http://townsquare.media/site/252/files/2016/07/liam-payne-simon-cowell-disloyal.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Simon Cowell Was ‘Bored’ on Idol After Paula Left, Might Be Planning New Show](http://townsquare.media/site/252/files/2015/12/SimonCowell.jpg?w=980&q=75)