Simon Cowell became famous initially through his work in the music industry. He started in the mailroom at EMI Music Publishing and then worked as a record producer, talent scout, and consultant. In the 1980s and 1990s, he found some success as a producer and music executive, creating hits and scouting talent. He formed his own companies, such as Fanfare Records, though he faced financial struggles including near bankruptcy. He gained significant public prominence by becoming a judge on television talent shows. His breakthrough TV fame came from his role as a harsh judge on "American Idol," which premiered in 2002. He later created and produced the hugely successful UK show "The X Factor" starting in 2004, which established him as a global entertainment icon. His knack for creating popular television talent competitions and discovering successful music acts such as One Direction made him widely known. In summary, Simon Cowell's fame grew from his early music industry work to becoming a public figure as a TV talent show judge and producer, transforming the entertainment industry through shows like "American Idol" and "The X Factor".