Simon Cowell Compares Phones to Toasters—and He’s Not a Fan
Simon Cowell, known for his brutally honest critiques on America’s Got Talent, has no problem being just as candid about technology—and his latest confession might surprise even his most diehard fans. In a 2024 interview with YouTuber Evan Carmichael, Cowell revealed that he hates smartphones so much, he’s basically ditched them entirely.
“I think they’re boring,” he said. “It’s like having a toaster with you all the time.”
Yes, really. To Cowell, the once-essential device has become no more exciting than an appliance that makes toast. He added, “Toast is nice and occasionally a telephone call is nice, but not all the bloody time.”
Despite technically still owning a cell phone, Cowell admits he barely touches it and usually leaves it in the car. “Nine times out of ten, I’ll use somebody else’s because I don’t even know how to work it anymore,” he shared.
A Life Upgrade: Ditching the Device
The moment of clarity came after Cowell found himself happier during the stretches of time he went without a phone—sometimes for months. He said he actually dreaded turning it back on. At one point, when he briefly thought he lost it, he had a dramatic realization:
“It’s like, ‘Oh God, I’ve lost my life.’ And then I thought, ‘Oh stop being so dramatic. It’s a stupid telephone.’”
Cowell’s Message? Disconnect to Reconnect
Cowell’s bold stance is a refreshing reminder that even in an always-connected world, it’s okay to unplug. The former X Factor judge may be harsh when it comes to underwhelming talent acts, but when it comes to phones—he’s just keeping it real.
