Simon Fuller Biography

Fast Facts

• Born in Cyprus, where his father, a Royal Air Force pilot, had established a school; lived in Ghana and England later in his childhood
• Started his entertainment career as a talent scout for Chrysalis Records
• Founded 19 Entertainment, a multifaceted talent agency with clients from the worlds of music, television, film and sports; the company is named after Paul Hardcastle's single "19," the first No
• 1 Fuller was involved with
• Managed British pop sensations the Spice Girls and S Club 7 at the peaks of their popularity
• Created and produced the American Idol franchise, which started in the United Kingdom as Pop Idol; the series has spawned more than 50 variations around the world
• In 2005, sold 19 Entertainment to CKX, Inc
• , for nearly $200 million
• In 2010, started a new firm, XIX Entertainment
• Has had a role in more than 100 No
• 1 hit songs in the UK