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May 27, 2012
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Simon Cowell Knew Carrie Underwood Would Win 'American Idol' and Be a Star (VIDEO)

by Jason Hughes, posted Jan 24th 2011 4:12AM

Simon Cowell, 'Oprah Presents Master Class'Fans of 'American Idol' know that Carrie Underwood was something special from the moment she stepped onto that show's stage. Former judge Simon Cowell was featured on 'Oprah Presents Master Class' (Sun., 10PM on OWN) where he admitted she was truly one of a kind.

In nine seasons of 'American Idol,' no one commanded his attention as she did. "It was as if the entire cast that year was in black-and-white and she walked in in color," Cowell said.

From the moment he first saw her and heard her sing, he knew three things. "A) I knew we'd found a star," he said. "B) She was gonna win, and C) I had this feeling that she was going to sell more records than anybody else." The latter he even said at one point during the competition.

Underwood has gone on to astonishing success post-'Idol,' and many have argued that the show has struggled since then to crown a bona fide superstar like her. The most successful artist to come out of a subsequent season is someone who didn't even make the finale: Chris Daughtry.

Cowell, of course, is hoping to strike gold again when he brings his own talent show, 'The X-Factor' to the US next fall. In the meantime, 'American Idol' is working their way through its latest crop of contestants to see if there's a future Underwood or Daughtry in the mix. Surely we haven't run out of talent already!

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Echaka

What???? hold the phone... why isn't kelly clarkson on here??? or jennifer hudson! she didn't even win and yet she is doig great! jennifer hudson and kelly clarkson has gone on to do great things!!!

March 16 2012 at 12:55 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
freshupfido

Why isn't Kelly Clarkson mentioned in that item? Simon isn't the be all and end all when it comes to GUESSING who will win. He didn't even want to send Kelly Clarkson through. He also is incorrect about Carrie selling more albums than anyone else. Kelly Clarkson has sold DOUBLE what Carrie has sold and has had DOUBLE the radio plays. Don't believe everything that comes out of his mouth. He's the ultimate used car salesman. He is correct about one thing though, he had said many many times that Kelly Clarkson is by far the most talented contestant to come from Idol and that she's heads and tails above all others.

January 24 2011 at 11:50 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to freshupfido's comment
clp

Your jealous because Carrie has out sold Kelly in the US. That's what they are talking about! Kelly has 2 # 1's vs. Carrie's 13 # 1's. Kelly's 2nd best # 1 is at # 28 vs. Carrie's at # 2. Kelly has been nominated from 5 different awards. And has won 18 out of 31 vs. Carrie's 12 different awards and won 109 out of 150. Kelly has yet to be nominated for a Peoples Choice award! Kelly's 4 albums has sold approx. 10 million vs. Carrie's 12 million domestic. Kelly does not want her music to be sung by any Idol contestants, Carrie does not mind. Carrie has gotten more movie and TV opportunities, Kelly no one wants. Carrie has proven she has talent Kelly, NO. Carrie has been on more magazine covers than all the Idol contestants combined! Carrie's resume is too big to all fit here. Kelly's resume could fit in one sentance.

January 25 2011 at 2:31 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
3 replies to clp's comment
windswest

yes - in hindsight, he's a genius ....

January 24 2011 at 1:01 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
Lora

From the way Simon pimped Adam Lambert, I would think he would name him as the best in nine years. Of course Simon has "hindsight" now as Carrie is a bonafide star. He also pimped Reuben over Clay, and we know who is the bigger star. He told Chris Daughtry he was boring, Jennifer Hudsen had gone as far as she could go just to name a few. Simon is not the end all, be all he and many others think he is. All of the Idols, whether or not they are the biggest stars, seem to be doing what they want to do, which is SING. After all, that is what matters. Everyone can't be in the top 10, especially when the audience seems to be enthralled with the likes of Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber. I do have to thank Simon for Il Divo though--what a wonderful group.

January 24 2011 at 11:07 AM Report abuse +3 rate up rate down Reply
godabarb

simon, we miss you.......

January 24 2011 at 10:50 AM Report abuse +4 rate up rate down Reply
WILDKAT

I think that Simon's assessment of Carrie's star power was dead on. Although I am a fan of Bo Bice, both he and the audience knew that he faced a champion. I think Simon should also mention the star power of others beside Chris Daughtry, and to give credit where it is due to Kelly Clarkson. Additionally, although not in the same stratosphere as Carrie, Chris or Kelly, there is Clay Aiken who has soared past Ruben and been successful in his career. I do wish Clay would stop making those dismal "oldies and goldies" records and try fresh, exciting new material. Niche marketing is fine, but when you have real talent like Clay, a new producer and progressive record label to support him would most definitely help his career.

January 24 2011 at 10:37 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to WILDKAT's comment
dmfischetti

sorry but Reuben shold never have been chosen. He is mediocre at best. Absolutely no match for Clay.

January 24 2011 at 3:04 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
cincyburb01

Simon Cowell is an egotistical liar. If he is so good at picking a star, how come he voted to eliminate Chris Daughtry during the first round? Lucky thing for Chris (and American Idol as a whole) that Randy and Paula voted to keep Chris around, because he is the only true idol that the show has created since Carrie.

January 24 2011 at 10:35 AM Report abuse +4 rate up rate down Reply
tiffanypiano1

Carrie Underwood definitely deserved to become a star. She has looks AND talent. I don't say that about many people, either. She deserves what she has gotten.

January 24 2011 at 10:29 AM Report abuse +5 rate up rate down Reply
maparko

I along with most people picked Carrie right from the start. She was beautiful, humble , with a great voice and had an innocence about her that made her stand out. I also thought Kelly Clarkson looked like a favorite early on. Especially when came down to her against Justin in the finale. It was no contest.
Prk643

January 24 2011 at 9:49 AM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
clowns1116

The very first time I saw Carrie, I also knew that she woud win IDOL, and knew that she would be a HUGE STAR. It was a time that AMERICA needed a "country girl," and needed to get back to the "roots" of what AMERIA was all about. Bless you Carrie. You make a LOT of people smile,,,and cry.
Rocco

January 24 2011 at 9:36 AM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply

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