Simon Cowell reveals his first impressions of Harry Styles and Camila Cabello
They both started out on The X Factor
As fans will know, Harry Styles and Camila Cabello both started out on The X Factor, in the UK and US respectively. They also both started as part of a group put together on the show, but have both had huge solo success One Direction and Fifth Harmony.
Now that they're both super stars in their own right, The X Factor creator and judge, Simon Cowell has reminisced about their early days on the show, and his first impressions of them.
Opening up to Extra, Simon told how Harry came across very charming and confident, saying: "I remember his audition like it was yesterday. He was very charming, he was very confident, he was very funny, and I liked him.
"I just thought there’s something… special about him… You never forget those moments and, like I said, genuinely if we weren’t making people’s careers successful, I would never be making these shows today."
This comes just a couple of weeks after previously unseen footage from Harry Styles' X Factor audition was released by the TV show. In the six-minute video Harry can be seen introducing himself to Simon, Nicole Scherzinger and Louis Walsh, before singing 'Hey Soul Sister' by Train.
However, the panel were left unsure and stopped him short asking him to perform another song a cappella, he chose Stevie Wonder's 'Isn't She Lovely'.
During the interview, Simon also revealed how he found Camila Cabello crying backstage, he explained: "When I was doing X Factor here, that she (Camila) wasn’t really supposed to audition and, you know, I happened to go backstage and I saw her crying, asked her why she was crying, and she said, you know, it was too late for her to audition because she was a reserve, whatever that meant.”
He continued, "I said to her, ‘Well, I’m one of the producers, you just got an audition,’ and you know, when those moments work, and seeing Camila today or Harry Styles, Leona Lewis, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, there’s been so many times luckily where I’ve been there at that moment where their career is going to go in a completely different direction. If we didn’t have those things happen, then there’d be no point making the shows."
Now, of course both Harry Styles and Camila Cabello are hugely popular. Harry is continuing 'Love On Tour' with some amazing stand out moments, such as allowing a proposal to take place, helping a fan to come out and throwing some flowers to young fan. He's also released his third solo album 'Harry's House' and released songs 'As It Was', and 'Late Night Talking'.
Meanwhile, Camila has also released her third solo album 'Familia' this year, along with several songs including 'Bam Bam' with Ed Sheeran.
You can hear songs by Harry Styles and Camila Cabello on Northsound 1.
Now take a look through celebs you probably didn't know started on TV shows:
Chris Pratt in The O.C.
Before Chris Pratt became a mega Hollywood star, he actually played a short role in the American hit series, The O.C. You're remembering him now - the shaggy-haired, tree hugging environmental activist, Che Cook, who takes his 'soulmate', Seth Cohen, on a trippy adventure to the woods - oh so boho.
Selena Gomez in Barney and Friends
Let's throw it back to 2002 and Selena Gomez's Disney Channel days. When she was just a kid, she was on set with the big purple dinosaur in Barney and Friends. It's also where she met pal Demi Lovato.
Danny DeVito in Friends
"What's the matter, you never seen a 50-year-old stripper cry before?" - Danny DeVito's most iconic line in his 'raunchy' appearance on Friends as a male stripper. The 5ft and rather round Danny (playing Roy) turned up to Phoebe's bachelorette party dressed as a police officer - as you can imagine, it all ended in tears.
Ed Sheeran in Game of Thrones
Ed Sheeran swapped his guitar for a suit of armour while playing a Lannister soldier in an episode of Game of Thrones - obviously he was made to sing.
Demi Lovato in Grey's Anatomy
Demi appeared in one episode and played a paranoid schizophrenic teenager named Haley May. But, this "crazy woman" diagnosis turned out to be wrong. Hayley actually had small hole in her inner ear, making her extra sensitive to sound - no wonder she wanted to claw her eyes out (literally).
Jim Carrey in The Office
How could we forget the "Finger Lakes Guy"? Jim Carrey played a character interviewing for the job of Regional Manager in season 7's final episode. He became known as the "Finger Lakes Guy", constantly obsessing over making it back to Finger Lakes.
Victoria Beckham in Ugly Betty
Victoria Beckham plays herself in an episode titled "A Nice Day for a Posh Wedding" - we like what you did there. Obviously she steals the show, which rather upsets Willie on her big day.
Sir Ian McKellen in Coronation Street
Sir Ian McKellen walked Corrie's cobbled street as a con-merchant 'novelist' , appearing in 10 episodes.
Usher in Sabrina the Teenage Witch
Remember seeing Usher play 'The Love Doctor'? Nope, didn't think so. Usher appeared, dressed head to toe in white, singing love-guru advice to Sabrina.
Britney Spears in How I Met Your Mother
Oops, she did it again! If you didn't love Britney enough already - she's even made guest appearance on HIMYM as the receptionist, Abby, at dermatologist Stella's office. She had a crush on Ted, then swiftly moves on to Barney.
Paris Hilton in Supernatural
Paris Hilton played the demonic creature taking the form of… wait for it...herself (LOL)
Donald Trump in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
The current President of the United States has actually made many cameo appearances in shows such as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and films Zoolander and Home Alone.
Matt Damon in Will & Grace
Matt Damon sings? Yes, yes he does. Spotted in the 2002 episode playing Owen, and competing against Jack for a spot in the Gay Men's Choral.
Gigi and Bella Hadid in The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Before they were the biggest supermodels on the catwalk, they were the teenage daughters of Yolanda Hadid featured on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
Lady Gaga in The Hills
In her pre-stardom days, Lady Gaga appeared in The Hills. Lauren Conrad and Whitney Port were tasked with styling her before a solo performance. They referred to her as just "some girl named Lady Gaga" - if only they saw her now.
Kesha in The Simple Life
Do you remember The Simple Life? Do you remember that Kesha and her mum featured on The Simple Life? Crazy, right? There she became bffs with Paris Hilton, and later wrote a song called "Paris Hilton's Closet", inspired by the time she chundered in her wardrobe.
Emma Stone on In Search of the Partridge Family
Flashback to when Emma Stone was just 16, she competed on reality TV singing songs.
Rihanna in Bates Motel
Ri Ri made two appearances in Bates Motel. She played the role of Marion Crane, appearing in a steamy sex scene and is spied on in the shower by Norman Bates. Rather than killing off Marion Crane, like in the original movie, there is a major plot twist - instead of our girl Ri Ri getting murdered - her ex-boyfriend is stabbed instead.
Michelle Obama in Parks and Recreation
Former First Lady, Michelle Obama, played herself in Parks and Recreation as a speaker at the National Parks Conference pledging to end childhood obesity. We just love her.
Taylor Swift in New Girl
Taylor had a small part in hit US comedy New Girl, playing the character of Elaine who is a guest at the wedding of Shrivrang and Cece. Taylor confesses her love for Shivrang and they run away together - but don't worry, Cece isn't heartbroken as it turns out she wanted to call the wedding off too!
Now read:
The X Factor release unseen audition footage of 16-year-old Harry Styles
Camila Cabello reflects on the early days of Fifth Harmony with heartfelt post ❤️
The X Factor: A complete history of the show