Simon Cowell admits shame over 'horrible' reaction to Susan Boyle's BGT audition

Simon Cowell has publicly apologized for his harsh reaction to Susan Boyle’s *Britain’s Got Talent* audition in 2009, calling the judges' behavior 'horrible' and admitting they were 'even worse' than it appeared on screen. Boyle’s powerful rendition of *I Dreamed a Dream* from *Les Misérables* stunned the panel, leaving Cowell, Piers Morgan, and Amanda Holden speechless. Cowell later revealed he had the power to edit out the judges’ reactions but chose not to, calling it a 'wake-up call' about perception and judgment. The 65-year-old judge reflected on the episode during the *Tales From The Celebrity Trenches* podcast, saying the panel’s initial skepticism haunts him. He described Piers Morgan’s reaction as particularly harsh, adding that all three judges were 'awful' in their unspoken exchanges before Boyle began singing. Cowell acknowledged the moment served as a lesson in not judging others based on appearances. Amanda Holden also admitted to bias, later telling Boyle she had been 'cynical' and that the panel’s reaction was a 'privilege' to witness. Holden revealed she knew the judges were against Boyle before she sang, calling their initial attitude a 'wake-up call.' Boyle herself described the audition experience as 'suffocating,' comparing it to being part of a 'freak show,' which deeply affected her. Despite finishing as runner-up in *Britain’s Got Talent*’s third series, Boyle went on to achieve massive success, selling over 23 million albums worldwide and topping charts in the UK and America. She has also set multiple Guinness World Records and gained high-profile admirers, including actor Timothée Chalamet, who praised her ambition. Cowell’s apology underscores how Boyle’s talent reshaped perceptions of her overnight, proving the judges’ initial reaction was far from the full story.