Simon Cowell

•Simon Cowell's honesty on AMERICAN IDOL has made him a household name in America. His UK-based production company, SYCO, produces the BAFTA Award-winning “The X Factor,” which is also the No. 1 entertainment show in the UK.

•Cowell continues to serve as both executive producer and star of the show, which has been on the air since September 2005 and is now in production for its third season.

•Additionally, Cowell created and served as executive producer on "American Inventor," “America’s Got Talent” and FOX’s CELEBRITY DUETS.

•The UK version of AMERICAN IDOL, "Pop Idol," is where Cowell became a celebrity in his own right.

•In 2006 Cowell was ranked No. 29 on Forbes Magazine’s “Celebrity 100 Power List.”

•He was named one of People Magazine's 25 Most Eligible Bachelors in 2004, while Entertainment Weekly named him one of the Top Entertainers of the year.

•A 20-year veteran of the music industry, Cowell is an executive with SonyBMG Records and has helped to shape the modern pop music industry.

•Over the last 15 years his acts have achieved sales of more than 100 million albums, and he has had over 70 No. 1 records.

•His most recent discovery is the pop-opera quartet Il Divo, whose first two albums have sold over 11 million copies around the world, and have entered the Top 3 in over 32 countries.

Paula Abdul

•Abdul is one of the most recognized pop singers and choreographers in film, television, video, stage and live tours.

•Her celebrated work in choreography includes Emmy-winning contributions to “The Tracey Ullman Show,” Abdul’s own performance on “The American Music Awards” and her choreography for the Academy Awards, for which she earned an Emmy nomination.

•Other triumphs include her award-winning work with Janet Jackson, which garnered two MTV Video Awards; and working with such music legends as Aretha Franklin, George Michael, Luther Vandross, INXS, Heart and Prince.

•Abdul’s favorite memory is dancing alongside her idol, Gene Kelly, in the Diet Coke commercial that was inducted into the Coca-Cola Hall of Fame Museum as one of that company’s top commercial campaigns.

•Abdul’s choreography contributions in feature films include the Academy Award-winning “American Beauty,” working with Cuba Gooding Jr. on his Academy Award-winning performance in “Jerry McGuire,” and transforming Val Kilmer into Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s “The Doors.”

•Abdul’s music career encompasses worldwide album sales exceeding 30 million records, two No. 1 albums, six No. 1 singles, a Grammy Award, seven MTV Awards, two Emmy Awards, two People’s Choice Awards and two Kids’ Choice Awards.

•She has also been honored with a Star on Hollywood Boulevard and inducted into Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Hall of Fame.

•Contestants and viewers alike praise Abdul’s positive feedback on AMERICAN IDOL.

•She has even designed inspirational good-luck jewelry for the IDOL contestants.

•Abdul designs a jewelry collection called "Innergy," consisting of hand-made gold and silver pendants and bracelets.

•She also has designed a line of cheerleading attire and dancewear for young girls and teenagers called "Skirtz," inspired by her own dance and cheer career.

Randy Jackson

•Grammy Award-winning producer Randy Jackson is a 20-year music industry veteran.

•He started out at the age of 13 playing bass and got his big break when he joined the band Journey.

•As a musician and producer he also spent eight years as the V.P. of A&R at Columbia Records, followed by four years as Senior V.P. of A&R at MCA Records.

•Jackson recently completed his fifth season as a judge on AMERICAN IDOL.

•Jackson has recorded, toured and performed with the likes of: Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, *NSYNC, Madonna, Elton John, Destiny's Child and many more.

•Jackson has worked on over 1,000 gold and multi-platinum albums.

•His contributions have helped to sell over 200 million albums worldwide.

•With his talent, immense studio knowledge, performing, touring and record company experience, Jackson is one of today’s most highly regarded music industry experts.

•Last fall, Jackson launched his own radio countdown show, “Randy Jackson’s Hit List,” for the Westwood One radio network.

(Source: Fox Flash, http://www.foxflash.com/div.php/main/page?aID=1z2z2z31z6z4&bioid=1127)