Simon Cowell is the “American Idol” judge that everyone loves to hate. What is it like to be in love with Simon Cowell? Rita spoke with Cowell's girlfriend, Terri Seymour, after Tuesday's show. Seymour is also a correspondent for “Extra TV."
This is a transcript of their conversation.
RITA COSBY: Before we get to Simon, you just came back from the show tonight. Any surprises? I understand Katharine sang on her knees for a whole song?
TERRI SEYMOUR, CORRESPONDENT, “EXTRA TV”: It was very erratic. Or at least that’s how Simon described the shows. There were some ups and there were some downs. Overall, I really enjoyed it. I thought it was a great show.
COSBY: If you had to guess, who is going to get kicked off tomorrow?
SEYMOUR: It's so hard at this stage to say who I think it would be.
If I had to say based on tonight’s performances, oh, my goodness, I would say either Paris or Elliott.
COSBY: And who is your prediction of who is going to take it all?
SEYMOUR: What was that?
COSBY: Who do you think is going to win?
SEYMOUR: I would like to see Chris or Katharine win.
COSBY: Well, you know, we asked your boyfriend, Simon Cowell. He was on my show not too long ago. How often is he right on about who is going to take it all?
SEYMOUR: Do you know, I hate to say it, but he is normally right every season so far, until now, because, obviously, Kellie is gone, so he’s got it wrong but every season he has gotten it right. I hate to say that, because his head is big enough as it is.
COSBY: Yes. What is it like to date him? We are looking at pictures of the two of you. Is it Simon says, or do you get to have a say in this, Terri?
SEYMOUR: I would say it is interesting, hard work. And I keep him grounded. I like to think I keep him grounded, or at least I try.
COSBY: How did you two meet? Tell us about how the relationship started and bloomed.
SEYMOUR: We have been together for three-and-a-half years now but I have known Simon for 15 years. We were friends in London. And he actually went on a couple of dates with my best friend. That's how I met him.
COSBY: So, he went on a date with your best friend and ended up with you.
SEYMOUR: Exactly. I must be crazy, right?
COSBY: No, you know what? He’s a lot of fun. When we had him on, I really enjoyed him.
SEYMOUR: He is.
COSBY: What is he like off camera? You know, is he tough? Is he a tough critic?
SEYMOUR: You know, off camera, at home, he is exactly the same as when he’s on TV. He’s always very honest, can say things in, you know, maybe not the way that we would say them. He can be a little harsh sometimes. He just says things the wrong way.
COSBY: And how do you deal with that?
SEYMOUR: But he is always critiquing me.
COSBY: Yes. How do you deal with that?
SEYMOUR: I give him as good as he gets.
COSBY: Good for you.
SEYMOUR: But he’s not good at taking it, though. He can dish it out, but he doesn’t like taking it.
COSBY: Well, good for you. So, you are standing up for all the rest of us out there, which we appreciate.
SEYMOUR: Absolutely.
COSBY: You know what? It’s amazing. You look at some of the polls.
There was a poll recently on “American Idol.” It actually came out Tuesday and it said, whose opinion counts the most? And this is staggering: Simon, 58 percent, Terri; Randy Jackson, 26 percent.And poor Paula here, 6 percent.
SEYMOUR: Oh, no.
COSBY: Why do you think people care so much what Simon thinks?
SEYMOUR: I think it’s just because he is really honest. I think people just admire him for his honesty. But he is going to love that poll. Let me assure you, he will love that poll.
COSBY: Yes. Is he going to plaster it all over the home and everywhere else, and his car?
SEYMOUR: Oh, yes, absolutely.
COSBY: He will be rewinding the TiVo, pausing. Not a bad poll to be posting. Is he watching tonight, Terri?
SEYMOUR: He will be watching, yes. He was leaving the show to rush home to watch. So, he will be watching.
COSBY: OK. Good. I want a good critique from you after the show, OK, how we did.
SEYMOUR: OK, 10 out of 10.
COSBY: Thank you very much, Terri. And please tell him we said hello. We enjoyed having him on.
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