Simon Cowell 'learned lessons' from Susan Boyle

Simon Cowell has admitted that Susan Boyle taught him some serious lessons about judging people on their looks.

Speaking on a conference call to promote the X-Factor USA, the 51-year-old confessed that he was 'guilty' of making snap judgements about contestants.

According to Digital Spy, he said, 'You just can't put an age cap on talent. With Susan Boyle, who would have thought this little lady living on her own in Scotland would go on to sell nearly 20 million records? It's just typical of the record business saying that you have to look this way or whatever.

'I was guilty of that. She taught me a huge lesson that I have to be more open-minded. I think the American audience know what talent is and I don't think it matters if you're in your 40s, 50s, 30s or 14 years old. If you have it, you have it. You only have to look at Madonna. She's still one of the most influential artists in the world. It doesn't matter how old she is.'

The X Factor USA will be open to entrants aged as young as 12-years-old. Cowell said the decision to drop the minimum age has stemmed from a change in the market.

Source: http://www.monstersandcritics.com/