Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage
Simon Cowellhas a new best friend in his life!
During the taping for theAmerica’s Got TalentSeason 17 Live Semifinals on Tuesday at the Sheraton Pasadena Hotel, Cowell, 62, walked the red carpet with his small new puppy, Odin.
It may come as no surprise to Cowell’s fans that theAGT judge is deeply devoted to his dogs. Cowell often supports animal welfare causes, including a 2018 donation to Humane Society International to help shut downa South Korean dog meat farm.
Before the newest addition, the dog dad owned four pooches, including Yorkshire Terriers Squiddly and Diddly. After Cowell’s mum passed away in 2016, he also started caring for his late mum’s dog, Freddy, and later adopted a fourth dog, Daisy, in 2018.
Simon Cowell.Trae Patton/NBC
When asked what Cowell’s hidden talent was, Mandel was quick to bring up the formerAmerican Idoljudge’s dog training skills, remarking on how well Cowell has taught his own pups.
“When you go to his house, they do flips,” Mandel said of Cowell’s skilled canines. “They only walk on their hind legs all through the house. It’s like a circus! Simon’s Circus!”
During Tuesday night’s live show, 14-year-oldSara Jameswowed the panel with a moody, slower version of the belovedElton Johnclassic “Rocket Man,” withHowie Mandelgoing so far as to call it a “winning performance.”
Once backstage, James told PEOPLE how shocked she was to see all four judges on their feet at the end of her performance.
“It’s crazy, it’s mad,” she said. “I’m just a teenager from Poland, I don’t even know what I’m doing here, do you know what I mean? Thank you so much to all the judges. I’m so grateful.”
The singerfirst made waves during her auditionwhen her stunning rendition of Billie Eilish’s “Lovely” compelledCowellto press his coveted Golden Buzzer.
James was quick to show her appreciation for the hard-to-impress judge on Tuesday, thanking him for “giving me the opportunity to stay on this stage.”
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Cowell admitted that James' show-closing performance was “probably the best closure of the show we’ve had all season.” During the live show, he referred to the song choice as “genius” and his compliments continued backstage.
“That was one of those moments you don’t see very often on any show — it was incredible,” he told PEOPLE. “I’ve done this a long time and there are those occasions whether it’sCarrie Underwood,Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia, Leona Lewis where someone has just got everything right on the day it matters.”
“I think we witnessed one of those moments tonight,” he added, noting that he also spoke to James' father earlier in the night. “He’s so happy and I really am happy for her.”
source: people.com
