When Bad People Do Good Things
Filed under: Anglophilia > Inspiration > Simon Cowell
Simon Cowell may not be known as a great philanthropist, but it seems like the witty and sarcastic American Idol judge does have a soft spot underneath that hard exterior.
Cowell was a guest Monday on Oprah, and during the show they mentioned a good deed that the mean spirited judge did.
Oprah's Big Give show is all about helping those in need and that's just what Cowell decided to do.
A couple, Randy and Amy Stoen, were struggling daily in order to travel more than 100 miles from their home each day so their daughter could receive treatment. The young girl, Madeline, is struggling with a life-threatening cancer.
Cowell decided to alleviate some of the stress and burden the family is dealing with and paid off their mortgage!!!
He said "I never knew that doing good could feel so good."
Cowell paid over $162,000 to cover the family's debt.
And, hey, it's a tax write-off for him! Right? And he got to announce it on Oprah!
[Image via WENN.]
first!
second!
first!
Take away the publicity and he and Oprah would never do any good for anyone. Oprah is as fake as you can get.
That's awesome! Doing good things is always a great!
I belle01 is the biggest loser on this site. I'm # 1. I hope you all agree.
He also told the parents if he could help in other ways they should let him know because now he is their daughers guardian angel.
~
Prayers to the family and the sweet little girl.
I hope she heals and can get back to being a kid soon!
2cnd wohooo!! It is nice to hear that some celebrities are not greedy! It's awesome that Simon did this!
yooooo
Re: Vitamin – Agree–and Simon wouldn't have done this either if it weren't for the positive publicity. Plus, $162,000? I don't know how much Simon is worth, but I suspect that is NOTHING to him. I'm sure it didn't make a dent in his bank account.
yeah man
Can I get some props for beng that close? Damn.
i don't think this is a tax write off unless he gave the money to oprah's foundation first. otherwise, it would be a taxable gift, and cowell would have to pay the tax in addition to the gift.
.
SIXTEENTH
You stole the whole.. Hey its a tax write off, Right? I know I seen that on another show like only a couple of days ago.
And, hey, it's a tax write-off for him! Right? And he got to announce it on Oprah!
Re the above perez. fuck you pig. Do not do an article on a guy saying that his hard exterior hides a soft heart, then go on to try and completely ruin the compliment in the end by mentioning the obvious tax writeoff etc. Why not just compliment him and leave it at that.
By throwing in your negative comments at end you are diminishing in some peoples eyes the positive. Although not for me. Do not like him as a personality on tv but this is a great story. Next time leave it at that.
What a great thing! It's a shame so few of the overpaid jerks in LA do things like this. Yep, a Brit helping an American family. Thank you, Simon. Perhaps you'll serve to remind our own AMERICAN "stars" that there are many children/families, right in this country, who could benefit from their money. It's lovely to see many helping children in other countries, but how about starting at home??
I got it right.
Love Simon! What he did was great.
His skin was looking a bit shiny/greasy on the show though.
I like how he isn't all Mr. Make-up like Seacrest, but a little powder would help.
We don't need a Greasy Bear II on our hands, now do we…
Hey - whether it was a fake gesture or not - Simon's right!
It does feel great to be kind and generous.
I'll never be famous - or infamous - but just taking the time to go through my closet and my kid's clothes and then donating them to the needy is a kind gesture. Let's all clean our our closets, our garages, and storage areas and pay it forward!!! As a nation - we have been given so much. Let's stop being cruel and do some more good.
I absolutely love Simon! He is charismatic and charming, and he only says what everyone else wants to say. I used to hate him and think he is an ass but he has really grown on me the last couple of seasons!
If he wasn't on the show it wouldn't even be half as good. What with Paula praising people that suck balls and Randy and his "dog, dude,, i was feelin it man..yeahhhh!"
WHATEVER his motives were, it sure made their lives suddenly a hell of a lot easier. Thank you, Simon!
Oh look, a Brit helping the Americans.
Simon rocks!!! And Perez, who are you to say that he did it for a tax right off? Where are your donations and contributions to society. I am sure you are making a fortune off of this site. Simon plays his role as mean judge perfectly, but did you really think that he was that awful of a person to make it seem like he did it for a tax right off. Get a life, besides ridiculing others. Kudos to Simon! More people that have money should be doing more good deeds. And the media should not make it look like publicity stunt. That is sick.
Good for him and how nice for those people.
And no it is NOT a tax write off. You can't deduct donations to individuals. It has to be a valid charitable organization.
Psh, whatever it's not that big of a deal
And he acts like he's never donated to charity before
99% of celebs are fake and only do good deeds for publicity. The biggest fakes are Brangelina.
Who doesn't adore Simon? His interaction with the judges is the reason I watch AI. But gee, wish he'd pay off my kids mortgages; thankfully, they'll continue to struggle without the life-threatening aspect. And hey, if health care was affordable in the USA, perhaps the couple's struggle wouldn't have been so great. Whatever…Simon is a first class guy.
Tax writeoff - how so? Are parents a non profit 501 c3 - likely not. Simon did a good thing from his heart - very nice gesture.
I bet that family was white.
FAKE!
its not a tax right off retard- unless the couple was a 501(c)3 charity- leave the tax advice to the pros dutch bag
do you americans really believe that he is a horrible guy?!!!!
if you didnt notice he's just very blunt and truthful and has to put a bit of drama on for the camera…not as a person
But when your precious Angelina does it it's 100% genuine and NOT for publicity? She's the first one to alert the press.
Tax write off? Ah………I don't think so. Might want to check up on your tax laws there buddy.
It might be considered a charitable gift, but he can't take the tax write-off since the family is not a 501(c)(3) organization. Just a good deed with no benefit for him expect the positive press.
Re: British – Oh look, a Brit helping the Americans (yeah, for a change.)
Re: victoria – How do you know he did this for the publicity? Him and you discussed it over coffee this morning?
Re: British –
Good to see that miracles happen.
Re: Jason – what does the family being white have to do with anything?
Re: Suzanne –
No, Suzanne, we Americans don't think he is a horrible.
We love Simon. That is why he is successful here.
Simon Cowell does loads of charity work over here, it's just that he doesn't usually make a song and dance about it so it never gets mentioned. It would probably harm his 'Mr Nasty' persona if people knew he was actually quite kind. And he's very good to his Mum.
NOW THAT IS SEXY!!!!
… if you think that paying someone else's debt is a tax write-off. That was personal "charity" and goodness, pure and simple vs. celebutards "donating" millions to official "charities" which are tax-deductions and publicity opportunities to boot.
that's great! but its not a tax write-off since he gave it directly to a family. it's written off only if given to a charitable organization
this is so weird! im just watching t.v. and an rspca advert came on and simon voices it- very wooden
When are we in USA going wake up and start believing what people do not what they say . How many times have you seen Simon drunk , accused of partying on dope are pissing in the street. Have you heard him cuss or talk vulger? I dont recall nothing but being sarcastic. I wish more youg people would use his examples instead of the Paris Hilton Types .
Good on you Simon! Your good deeds will come back to you.
I admire and adore Simon. What he did was very kind and thoughtful. I don't read too much about other celebrities doing this.
Aileen
Perez - I think you'll find he does quite a bit of charity work in the UK & supports quite a few sick childrens charities/hospitals … He just doesn't publicise it.
Dent in his bank account or not, it was a sweet gesture made out of kindness, and it has alleviated a lot of stress for this couple to not have to worry about it they will have a home to return to after paying all the medical bills for their daughter. Hmm, maybe Oprah could pick up the tab for the medical bills–they must be astronomical. I wish someone would do something like this for me.
Whether it's for publicity, for a tax right off or simply to make himself feel better, the point is that someone in need was helped. I don't care what the reasons are behind celebrity charity, as long as there are real beneficiaries. Good for him. He didn't have to do that.
Re: Mr. Not So Nasty Simon –
Oh please … when do american help british? you never see american stars helping british families … thats probably due to the british government paying for healthcare … unlike the dumb americans who'd rather see families lose their home than provide vital healthcare … your healthcare system sucks, even Cubas is better!
Good for you, Simon. I don't watch "A.I." but your face is ubiquitous. Your act was kind, and I'm glad you felt good doing it. God bless you and this family.
I wouldn't call him a bad person, he's just blunt. If you watch AI his opinion is the only one the contestants give a shit about.
He doesn't get a tax write-off - a real actual gift with no benefit to him at all (unless you count publicity!)
Re: chad –
According to your post, the Brits don't need help from Americans because they get the help they need from their own government. So why would Americans help Brits if they don't need help? What are you bitching about?
And you have the nerve to call Americans dumb!
The tax comment just goes to prove the Perez has never given to charity in his life, otherwise he would now the difference between tax deductable & non deductable donations.Simon would have to pay the tax himself. I find that the comment was disingenuous & defamatory & I hope that he retracts it.
So what? Who cares *how* the good gets done. Thank god the good deeds get done.
he's
done
waaaaaaay
more
than
that!
he doesn't feel the need to publicly masturbate over it, though,
like some morally challenged people(angelina jolie)
He's
not
an
image-obsessed
vampire.
.
.
.
.
..
.
.
____________
______________
he's
done
waaaaaaay
more
than
that!
he doesn't feel the need to publicly masturbate over it, though,
like some morally challenged people(angelina jolie)
He's
not
an
image-obsessed
vampire.
.
.
.
.
..
.
.
____________
______________.
He's a great guy.
he's
done
waaaaaaay
more
than
that!
he doesn't feel the need to publicly masturbate over it, though,
like some morally challenged people(angelina jolie)
He's
not
an
image-obsessed
vampire.
.
.
.
.
..
.
.
____________
______________.
do some research, fool.
"oooh, i saw it on oprah!"-you fuckin' sheep.
……ISN'T IT FUCKING DISGUSTING THAT A FAMILY WITH ONE MEDICAL CRISIS FACES BANKRUPTCY, BOTH EMOTIONAL AND FINANCIAL, IN THIS COUNTRY…..THE RICHEST IN THE HISTORY OF THE PLANET. AND…..THEY ARE "LUCKY" ENOUGH TO WIN THE "OPRAH LOTTERY" AND STAND THERE WHILE TWO VERY WEALTHY CELEBS DEIGN TO GIVE THEM THE MONIES TO RETIRE THEIR MORTGAGE….POCKET CHANGE FOR EITHER SIMON OR OPRAH!
….. WHY YOU COULD ALMOST SEE THE ABSOLUTE HUMILIATION ON THE FACE OF THE FATHER….GRATEFUL BUT TOTALLY HUMILIATED….A HARD-WORKING, AND LOVING PARENT WHO WAS REDUCED TO 'CELEBRITY CHARITY' TO KEEP HIS HEAD ABOVE WATER WHILE HIS CHILD FOUGHT FOR HER LIFE…..HIS PRIDE RIPPED FROM HIM [[[[[[DISGUSTING]]]]] …..VERY, VERY SAD.
……..JUST LIKE THE LINE FROM "EVITA": Write your name and your dream on a card or a pad or a ticket
Throw it high in the air and should our lady pick it
She will change your way of life for a week or even two
Name me anyone who cares as much as [Oprah Winfrey]!!!!!!!
………. THIS MEDICAL SYSTEM IS SICK!!!! AND DON'T FORGET IT…..YOUR FUCKING ASS COULD BE NEXT.
Bad people? What are you two years old? Simon is no more good or bad that any other person in this world. He happens to have the ability to speak his mind on AI and, as a result, has access to Oprah and her show. It sounds like you're jealous of him, his position, this giving, and the publicity he got for it.
Simon is a good guy at heart. His "meany" character sells the show. People love to hate him. Actions speak louder than words. He paid up! God bless this family and their baby.
The best charity is annonymous…
Re: Shark – perez has a black heart…and so he understandably thinks everyone's the same…a waste of clothes
………THIS REMINDS ME OF "EXTREME HOME MAKEOVER"……AND OBSCENE ENTERTAINMENT THAT IS QUITE LUCKY FOR A FAMILY THAT 'HITS THE TV LOTTERY'……. WHILE A HUGE NUMBER OF FAMILIES STRUGGLE AND LOSE EVERYTHING BECAUSE THEIR PLIGHT DIDN'T MAKE GOOD TV AND THEY WEREN'T "CHOSEN" FOR THE TY PENNINGTON / HOME DEPOT BLESSING.
………WHAT A FUCKED UP MESS OF A HEALTH AND SOCIAL SYSTEM THAT IT BECOMES ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE BRAIN DEAD MASSES. A BANDAID ON A HEMMORAGE IN BOTH CASES……AND A BANDAID FOR ENTERTAINMENT SO WE CAN SAY, AHHHHHHHHHHHHH, AREN'T THEY LUCKY? WOW! ISN'T OPRAH WONDERFUL? ISN'T TY SO SWEET AND HELPFUL? TRAGICALLY SAD AND PATHETIC.
YUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!
Re: tax-ie – tax ie is right - it wouldn't be a tax deduction unless it went through a charity.
Still a nice thing to do. Publicity stunt or not.
Gifts are not tax write offs, you dork. They aren't a registered charity, so it's a gift.
He's a good person. He just needs to stop having botox!
dude. i saw that. even i started to tear up for that family. it was ridiculous.