'American Idol': Simon Fuller to manage season 10 winner
American Idol creator and XIX Entertainment founder Simon Fuller will partner with 19 Entertainment and CKX, Inc., to manage the winner of season 10. Fuller — who has helped advise previous Idol contestants like Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks, David Cook, and Chris Daughtry — served as manager for season 8 runner-up Adam Lambert in 2009. “Simon Fuller is the rare breed who can effect popular culture both in America and in Europe,” Jimmy Iovine, chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M Records (and season 10 mentor), said in a press release. “He has brought us a platform for music like nothing before it in American Idol. The opportunity for this year’s winner and runner-up to be managed by someone of his caliber along with UMG’s commitment to these artists and show is incomparable.”
Fuller had a heavy hand in helping reinvent Idol this season,
but throughout the past 10 seasons, the Idol creator has remained focus in discovering talent. “Simon Fuller and I have worked together on Idol throughout the entire history of the show,” Iain Pirie, president of 19 Entertainment, said in the release. “Simon’s vision in creating the show was to provide a launchpad for breaking new music talent. Two hundred and fifty million downloads later his success in achieving that goal is completely evident. I couldn’t be more excited to continue to work in this exciting new partnership between 19 and XIX.”
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