‘America’s Got Talent’ Star Simon Cowell Makes a Public Offer to One Direction, Wants To Follow in the Footsteps of ABBA

Labeled as one of Time’s 100 most influential people in the world, Simon Cowell built a career for bands like Fifth Harmony and One Direction. While not looking for the spotlight himself, the record producer gained fame when he appeared on shows like American Idol and America’s Got Talent. Although known for his criticism and truthfulness, the television personality caught the hearts of fans and he constantly received praise for his antics. But outside of being on television, Cowell discussed his career and some of the mistakes he made along the way. And with the music industry embracing an era of technology, the producer revealed the one mistake he made with One Direction.

At the height of their stardom, One Direction toured the world, selling out stadiums almost nightly. With their fame only growing, the band eventually parted ways with some of the members exploring solo careers. Although knowing not all bands last, Cowell insisted on The Diary of A CEO podcast, “One thing I regret is I should have kept the name … I should have owned the name. That’s the problem. Could have made an animation or whatever, but when you give an artist the name, it’s not yours – and that’s my only regret. If you’re listening, I’ll buy it back from you.”

As for what Cowell would do with the name rights to One Direct–create an avatar-style show in the same vein as ABBA and KISS.

Speaking on ITV’s This Morning said, “I wish I’d owned the name. “Well, like ABBA. You know the ABBA thing, I’d do that. Yeah, and I wouldn’t have to ask anyone.” He continued, “We would sell out stadiums all over the world. I don’t think it’s going to happen. But I’m just saying if they did (get back together).

[RELATED: Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson Distance Themselves From Simon Cowell After One Direction Comments]

The One Reason Simon Cowell Wants To Get One Direction Back Together

Although One Direction released their last album, Made in the A.M., back in 2015, Cowell still believed they could sell out stadiums. “We would sell out stadiums all over the world. I don’t think it’s going to happen. But I’m just saying if they did get back together.”

Besides knowing the stardom that followed One Direction, Cowell seemed sentimental about the group given the time they took over. “Some of my best memories of my career were around about that time. It was just exciting, it was special and when we saw 20 fans grow into 40 fans and then suddenly 100 and then it went to 2000 and the fans were kind of like really the ones who were making it work all over the world. And being part of that, it was thrilling.”

(Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)