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American Idol judge Simon Cowell, who once told a contestant that he would make a better drag queen than an Idol, and called another contestant’s singing “diabolical,” (he was actually correct about that one, mean though he was) may have a heart after all, underneath those boring black sweaters and man-boobs. The Brit participated in “Oprah’s Big Give,” a reality/game show that is giving that other ABC tearjerker reality show, “Extreme Home Makeovers,” a run for its money. Cowell donated $162,000 to a family who fell into a financial crisis after their daughter was diagnosed with cancer.
Simon Cowell may not be so mean after all.
The American Idol judge, 48, gave the family of a cancer-stricken 3-year-old $162,000 to pay off their mortgage, he announced on Oprah Winfrey’s Big Give show on Monday.
The family drives more than 100 miles from their Minnesota home every day so their daughter, Madelaine, can receive treatments.
“It’s a very basic story of a normal family whose daughter got very ill, and they had some financial problems which was relatively easy for me to sort out,” Cowell explained to Extra.
On the show, he told Winfrey that he “credits her” for teaching him to be a do-gooder.
Said Cowell, “I never knew that doing good could feel so good.”
I think Oprah should recruit some more notorious meanies for this show. It would be like “The Grinch,” week after week. Too bad Leona Helmsley is dead. Anyway, good for Simon for finally understanding that there are other people less fortunate on the planet than himself. But that doesn’t mean I want to see “Nice Simon” on American Idol. Somebody has to tell these people that they suck!
Note by Celebitchy: Here’s the clip from Oprah. It made me cry so hard to see what this family and little girl are going through.
Written by MSat
Posted in American Idol, Charitable Causes, Oprah, Simon Cowell
8 Responses to “Oprah teaches Simon Cowell to be a ‘do-gooder’”
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The whole show seems to be a good idea. I hope it works.
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The mom made me really upset. She should know better than show how frightened she is. Kids pick up these things so easily. I’m sure she’s crying more cos of her mom’s fear than anything else. Mom’s not helping at all. She should pull herself together.
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eszter. give the mother a break. i am sure she is entitled to feel some grief and pain for her daughter. she is perfectly entitled to feel pain. do you have a 3 year old baby girl dying of cancer? until you know what she is going through dont you dare critise her actions!
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@eszter I don’t agree at all. I would be bawling my eyes out every day if my kid was sick like that, and maybe she should be stronger for her daughter, but her tears are a sign of how much she feels for her. Do you have kids? Wait and see how they can break your heart when they get a bump on the head and then you will know what it’s like.
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I agree with geronimo-I was touched last year on Idol Gives Back with how generous and caring Simon was when he went to Africa.
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I also love the practical nature of his gesture here. I can’t think of anything more stressful than having a really sick child AND having major financial worries in the background. At least it leaves them relatively free to devote time and attention to their daughter’s treatment and care. I don’t think anyone could accuse Simon of being a sentimental man but he’s definitely a thoughtful and decent one.
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Simon,
You are a gentleman with a capital G.
May you be blessed with happiness and health. Thank you for helping this family during such difficult time.
Madelaine, get well soon, sweetheart.
geronimo:
Toubrouk:
eszter:
Rianna:
summertime921:
Yelena:
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This is very sweet but have to take issue with you on Simon being a meanie, unless you mean solely in the Idol pantomime sense (although I’d call that honest rather than mean). He’s involved with a large number of UK and International charities (children, education, environment, animal welfare)and is leaving £90M in his will to a range of charitable causes.
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