His campaign was launched in London with a billboard featuring a sunglasses-clad Cowell evoking Lord Kitchener's 1914 recruitment poster with the words: "Simon needs you! Future megastars wanted for new boyband. No time wasters."
Cowell explained the project in a statement: "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. Nothing beats the fun of being in a group, touring the world. and performing for thousands."
Auditions are set to begin in Newcastle on 4 July, with others to be held over the next month in Liverpool, Dublin and London, with details on a newly launched website.
This story is from the June 05, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the June 05, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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