Simon Cowell, the mastermind behind One Direction, recently expressed his regret over not owning the band’s name. In a candid conversation on “The Diary of a CEO” podcast, Cowell revealed his disappointment about missing out on potential profits from the globally successful boy band.
Cowell, who formed One Direction on The X-Factor UK in 2010, admitted that he should have retained ownership of the band’s name. “The one thing I regret is I should have kept the name… I should have owned the name,” he confessed. The band members—Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, and Louis Tomlinson—currently hold the rights to the name, which limits Cowell’s ability to capitalize on their brand.
The music mogul explained that owning the name would have allowed him to organize tours or create spin-off projects, even if some members were unwilling to participate. “If one of the band members, for whatever reason, say they don’t want to tour, it can stop the others from touring,” Cowell noted. “So, if it was me who owned the name, it wouldn’t be a problem.”
Reflecting on his decision, Cowell described it as “very naive.” He mentioned that he could have explored various ventures, such as animations, had he retained the rights. “When you give an artist the name, it’s not yours — and that’s my only regret,” he added.
Despite his regrets, Cowell remains doubtful about a One Direction reunion. He believes that the chances of the band getting back together are slim. “I doubt it,” he said when asked about the possibility of a reunion.
Cowell’s thoughts on One Direction have resurfaced as he prepares to launch a new reality show, “Building the Band.” The show aims to form a new group, nine years after One Direction disbanded to pursue solo careers. “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,” Cowell stated. He emphasized that the music industry often focuses on solo artists, making it necessary for someone like him to put a group together.
In addition to One Direction, Cowell has been instrumental in forming other successful groups, such as Little Mix and Fifth Harmony. Last year, Rolling Stone confirmed that Fifth Harmony, minus Camila Cabello, officially owned their brand after previously being under Cowell’s company.
Cowell’s reflections on One Direction highlight the complexities of the music industry and the importance of strategic decisions. His experience with the band serves as a lesson for future endeavors, as he plans to ensure ownership of the name in his upcoming projects. “Next time, that will be part of the deal. I have to own the name. They can still make most of the money, but I need to own the name,” he concluded.
As Cowell gears up for his new reality show, fans and industry insiders alike will be watching closely to see if he can replicate the success of One Direction. The show promises to capture the excitement and challenges of forming a new group, offering a glimpse into the world of music production and talent management.
While Cowell’s regret over not owning One Direction’s name is evident, his determination to learn from his mistakes and create another successful group remains unwavering. The music industry veteran continues to shape the landscape of pop music, one band at a time.
