Simon Cowell attracted a huge crowd in London as he installed a massive poster announcing his search for the next ‘future megastar’ boyband (Picture: David Parry/PA Media Assignments)
Simon Cowell has revealed that he’s beginning a search for the UK’s next boyband sensation with a memorable publicity stunt.
Londoners were abuzz on May 4 as Simon himself put up an enormous sign announcing the news. It reads: ‘Simon needs you! Future megastars wanted for new boyband. No time wasters.’
Carrying a brush and bucket of poster paste, the Britain’s Got Talent judge attracted a crowd as he put the sign up – sporting a pair of uncharacteristic dungarees.
The music mogul’s new mission comes 14 years after the launch of One Direction, which was formed on the X Factor in 2010 and became one of the most successful boybands in history.
After selling out stadiums worldwide as a group, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, and Louis Tomlinson have also achieved massive success as solo artists.
While fans are used to seeing Simon’s search for talent live on TV on various reality shows, this latest undertaking will happen away from crowds and cameras.
The BGT judge even helped put the enormous poster up (Picture: David Parry/PA Media Assignments)
Simon was wearing dungarees for the publicity stunt (Picture: David Parry/PA Media Assignments)
The music mogul said he knows the search is a ‘big risk’ (Picture: David Parry/PA Media Assignments)
The music industry veteran will handpick the new group from nationwide auditions, focusing on finding and honing the talent of heartthrobs for a new generation.
Simon said of the new search: ‘Every generation deserves a megastar boyband and I don’t think there has been one to have the success of One Direction in over 14 years. The industry tends to focus on solo artists – so it usually takes someone from outside to put a group together.
He continued, espousing the benefits of being in a boyband: ‘Nothing beats the fun of being in a group, touring the world and performing for thousands – and it’s also a brilliant launchpad for a solo career. When you have a great group, it’s like lightning in a bottle but there’s no magic formula and a fair bit of luck involved!’
Simon attracted a large crowd while putting up the sign in London, pausing to sign autographs (Picture: David Parry/PA Media Assignments)
He admitted that it’s a risky mission, and he’s unsure what will come of the auditions: ‘There’s always a high degree of risk and I genuinely have no idea what’s going to happen! We might uncover an incredible group; we might not get there. What if no one shows up to auditions?
‘That could be awkward. There is no guaranteed path to success – anything can happen, but that’s what’s exciting for me and that’s why I’m doing this,’ he said.
Even if auditioners aren’t looking to be a part of a group long-term, Simon emphasised that they should still turn up, as it would be a great opportunity to launch a solo career.
Simon was responsible for assembling global sensation One Direction (Picture: Dave M. Benett/WireImage)
He said: ‘A huge number of solo artists began their journey in a group and have achieved great success, including Beyonce, Sir Paul McCartney, Robbie Williams, and our very own One Direction boy. Even artists who came from High School Musical were effectively launched from groups.’
Auditions are scheduled in cities across the UK, beginning in Newcastle on July 4 and 5, followed by Liverpool on July 7 and 8.
The search will then move to Ireland, visiting Dublin on July 28 and 29 before finishing up in London on August 1, 2, and 3.
Simon is known for creating stars via reality shows like The X Factor, American Idol, and Britain’s Got Talent (Picture: Getty Images)
Simon seeks talented boys aged 16 to 18 who ‘possess the passion, charisma, and star quality to form the next boyband sensation.’
The search is being documented by Box To Box for a possible documentary series about the process.
Auditioners who think they have what it takes to follow in One Direction’s footsteps can sign up for a chance to be seen by Simon here!
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