Simon Cowell Reveals Why He Really Left 'American Idol'

[Brian Damage]

Simon Cowell has revealed why, in the end, he really left the No. 1 show on U.S. TV, "American Idol."

According to an article in the weekly print edition of The Hollywood Reporter, "In the end, Cowell says he didn’t see much personal or professional gain from the ['American Idol' business] arrangement, other than the payday. 'My attitude on "Idol" was, I didn’t have anything,' he elaborates. 'I had a stupid three- or four-year license for the records, and that’s not what I wanted or expected.'

Of course, it was quite a payday, worth, some reports say, more than $50 million a year.

Still, Cowell tells The Reporter that it bothers him when he reads or hears remarks playing down his role in "Idol's" popularity: " 'The truth is, I was a big part of "Idol" being a success,' says Cowell. 'I worked my nuts off. Then when you read catty comments that play down my role, that’s disrespectful.' "

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