Simon Cowell faced the press for the first time since news broke that his friend’s estranged wife is expecting his child. At the Television Critics Association Press tour panel for Fox’s The X Factor on Thursday, Cowell avoided questions on the subject, instead focusing on his show.
Considering the news from the day before, Cowell appeared calm throughout the Q&A session with reporters, many of whom avoided asking him about the reported pregnancy. Then, eight questions in, a reporter finally said, “Congratulations on the addition. The new baby. Were you as surprised by the news as we were?”
According to E! News, Cowell responded, “I haven't read the newspapers. Am I missing something?”
Then, he said that he will try to keep it a private matter. “Sorry. Unfortunately, I have to keep this private for the moment. It's just one of those things, but thank you anyway,” he said.
Later, the other X Factor judges were also asked how they felt about the news. “No comment,” was all Demi Lovato would say. Cowell chuckled, “That was clever.”
After the panel, he told reporters, “There are a lot of things I will eventually clear up when the time is right...I really have to be sensitive here because there are a lot of people's feelings involved.”
Lauren Silverman, the woman reportedly expecting Cowell’s baby, only issued a statement to Us Weekly after her husband Andrew Silverman’s divorce papers surfaced.
“I am committed to sorting things out with Andrew as amicably as possible to ensure the well-being of our son. I would hope for some space and privacy in order to work through this,” the statement, released through her attorneys, read.
image: Fox