For the first time, all seven members of Simon Cowell's freshly minted boy band, December 10, have opened up about their experience working with the famed music mogul, offering a glimpse behind his formidable television persona.
"The Most Humble Person": Band Praises Cowell's Mentorship
The group, formed on camera for Cowell's Netflix documentary Simon Cowell: The Next Act, consists of members Cruz, Danny, Hendrick, John, Josh, Nicolas, and Sean. As they launch their debut music video, they shared candid insights with The Mirror. Cruz set the tone, describing Cowell as "the most humble person you'll ever meet," a view echoed unanimously by his bandmates.
John revealed Simon was a "very genuine character" and that the band "love him" deeply for his honesty. This sentiment highlights the mentorship dynamic at play, a far cry from the often-critical judge audiences know from shows like The X Factor.
A Stark Contrast to the TV Persona
Danny, Nicholas, and Josh all agreed that the real Simon Cowell differs significantly from his on-screen image. "Simon Cowell is very down to earth. Watching him on television, what you see is a persona," Nicholas explained. Josh added, "He's nice, he's not, like 'nasty', like people say he is on TV."
The documentary's climax featured a heartfelt moment from Cowell. He told the band, "When this show airs your whole life changes. I am really, really proud of you individually... Probably the most important advice is, whoever becomes your very very first fan is the most important person in the world."
Fan Division and the Name's Origin
While the band has won many admirers since the documentary's release on December 10th, their name has sparked debate, particularly among fans of One Direction—the global phenomenon Cowell originally aimed to match. Some feel 'December 10' or its abbreviation 'D10' tries too hard to emulate '1D'.
However, it was the band members themselves, not Simon, who chose the name during a record label meeting. They explained its meaning in the doc: "The show drops on December 10th, so it can be like our birthday, like our anniversary." When consulted, Cowell said he "absolutely loves it."
With their debut single now released and their mentor's backing, December 10 steps into the spotlight, armed with Cowell's guidance and a mission to carve their own path in the music industry.
