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Sharon Osbourne claims Simon Cowell ‘doesn’t like overweight people’

Osbourne has levelled many criticisms at Cowell in the past

Ellie Harrison
Sunday 05 April 2020 11:25 BST
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Sharon Osbourne has reignited her feud with Simon Cowell, claiming he “doesn’t like people who are overweight”.

Speaking on the Honest AF podcast, Osbourne said she believes her former X Factor and America’s Got Talent co-judge has “very dated” views.

“Simon doesn't have an ability to see individuals,” said Osbourne. “He doesn't like people who are overweight. Seriously.

“That's why he turned down Jennifer Hudson, that's why he wouldn't champion her on American Idol. But it's the truth. He's very dated.”

Of her encounters with Cowell, Hudson previously said: “Simon told me I was ‘too big’ in every way. I think he meant my hair, my voice, my personality, my songs.

“I didn't really understand how that was a negative thing. I said, ‘Is big not what a star is?’”

Osbourne previously claimed Cowell runs America’s Got Talent like a “boys club” after Gabrielle Union was fired from the series.

Union was reportedly fired from the show in November after experiencing what was described as racially insensitive situations and being subjected to “excessive notes” on her physical appearance.

Osbourne, who was on the judging panel of the NBC talent show for six years, said: “It is a boys club, okay, it is.”

Speaking on The Talk, she continued: “And the boys take care of each other, and the women are not paid as much as the men. I was on the show before [fellow judge] Howie [Mandel]. I was one of them that helped put the show where it was.”

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