Lauren is Simon’s rock amid X Factor backlash
As The X Factor faces an onslaught of damaging claims by former contestants, sources say music mogul Simon Cowell’s partner Lauren has been supporting him through a tough time
❛ IT’S THANKS TO LAUREN THAT SIMON’S IN A GOOD PLACE RIGHT NOW ❜
It’s been a difficult month for Simon Cowell after an onslaught of damning allegations against his hit show, The X Factor.
And sources tell Closer that his girlfriend, Lauren Silverman, has been supporting the media mogul after a string of former contestants recently claimed they were controlled and then mistreated by “powerful” managers, including Simon,
61, in their subsequent careers.
Jedward – who competed in 2009 – began the backlash when they told their social media followers, “Every contestant on The X Factor was a slave to the show and got paid zero while they made millions!”
WARNED NOT TO SPEAK
The identical twins – John and Edward Grimes, 29 – also posted that they regretted not telling the judging panel to “f*** off” and added, “Other X Factor stars are silent to the machine in fear of not getting the job!”
Singer Rebecca Ferguson, who starred in the 2010 series, also took to social media to demand a parliamentary inquiry and an overhaul of the music industry. The singer, 34, added she’d been “warned” not to speak out before as it may affect her career.
Similarly, Cher Lloyd, who finished fourth in 2010, appeared to take a swipe at the show as she recorded a TikTok video, singing, “How could I be so naive? They sold me the dream just to exploit me.”
DEFENCE
But former contestant Honey G – who made the live finals in 2016 and went on to release a hit single – defended Simon and the show, saying, “I have to jump to Simon Cowell’s defence in this instance because I really can’t fault the duty of care that they had. My experience was very, very positive and I think they were lovely people. It was completely life-changing.”
A spokesperson for the show – which last aired in 2019 and is unlikely to return this year – said, “Duty of care to our contestants is of the utmost importance to us. We take welfare very seriously and have measures in place to ensure that they are supported.”
Now a source tells Closer that Simon’s girlfriend of eight years, Lauren, 43 – with whom he shares seven-year-old son Eric – has been his rock, especially after he had to undergo spinal surgery following an accident on his electric bike last year.
The source says, “Lauren’s been a huge support to Simon and it’s thanks to her that he’s in a good place. He’d already taken a step back from his heavy workload since his fall, and Lauren is encouraging him to continue with that – focusing on exercising to strengthen his back to keep him distracted.
“She also has a strict no-phone policy for an hour each day which she’s implemented to help alleviate his stress levels. In stressful times she encourages him to increase that, which has hugely benefited him.”
Simon has spent this year between his London mansion and his LA home – and the insider says that his Californian base has done wonders for both his physical and mental health.
“His Malibu home is like a retreat where he can escape and detach himself,” says the source. “Lauren is encouraging him to take long beach walks to help with both his back recovery and as a chance to talk through everything. She’s been great at helping him to take a step back and not let the negativity get him down or distract him from pushing forward with his next shows.”