Simon Cowell has pulled out of judging the upcoming season of "X Factor Israel."
It is not clear whether the decision is linked to the recent tensions between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, but last week Reshet, which produces "X Factor Israel," told Variety it was something Cowell's staff had "legitimate concerns" over. Days later a representative from Reshet told the outlet that Cowell was canceling "for his own reasons."
The veteran reality TV judge signed a deal late last year to participate in the fourth season of "X Factor Israel." At the time, Cowell said he was excited to be part of the reality TV music contest.
"Over the years we have discovered incredible talents from around the world through the ‘X Factor’ format," he said, according to Variety. "I can barely wait to see what the Israelis have to offer."
In a previous statement, Reshet noted that it was the first time that Cowell would be judging in a country outside of the U.S. and Great Britain.
"This is a huge achievement for Israeli TV," Reshet said. "Cowell is one of the biggest and most influential music figures in the world, and his participation as a judge in the Israeli format provides an opportunity for international exposure for Israeli singers."
A source later confirmed Cowell's withdrawal from the show to Jewish News.
"Simon won’t be going to Israel after all. I know it has already been announced that he was one of the judges, but for a number of reasons he just can’t be there in Israel to film the show now," the insider said. "Of course he is bitterly disappointed – but it was a decision he had to take."
Cowell underwent surgery last year after breaking his back in a bike accident and was forced to withdraw from judging "America's Got Talent." The media mogul had the accident while testing a new electric bike in the courtyard of his Malibu home, his spokeswoman told CNN. Cowell reportedly broke his back in several spots. He detailed the incident during an appearance on Extra TV.
"I knew I’d broken my back the minute I landed. It was really, really kind of sudden and it hurt," he said. "You’re not supposed to move. I was thinking: ‘I’ve got to get back into the house because I can’t lie there’… and made myself kind of get carried into my bedroom, which is right there at the beginning of the house ... And I’m lying there and I’m kind of passing out … It was surreal."
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Zoe Papadakis is a Newsmax writer based in South Africa with two decades of experience specializing in media and entertainment. She has been in the news industry as a reporter, writer and editor for newspapers, magazine and websites.
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