If you thought people camping out for a day to audition for 'American Idol' was determination, wait until you hear about what one, um, motivated British woman did to get Simon Cowell's 'X-Factor' attention.
Five years ago, Cowell bluntly told the then-18-year-old Katrina Lee that he wished he could take her voice and put it in someone else's body. Lee, now 23, took that to heart, and has done quite a bit to change what's on the outside by undergoing various surgeries (facial, lipo) and hygiene procedures. See What She Looked Like Before After the Jump!
Speaking with Britain's The Sun (via Daily Mail), Lee says in the run-up to this year's 'X-Factor' auditions in Glasgow, she had facial laser surgery, liposuction, dental work, exercised feverishly and even dyed her hair a bright red to stand out.
"What happened to me the last time nearly tipped me over the edge, it was terrible," Lee said of Cowell's comments to her years ago. "I came face-to -face with Simon Cowell and told him that his comments had nearly wrecked my life."
According to Lee, Cowell "seemed really shocked" about telling her years ago that: "I just wish I could put your voice in a nother body." She says Cowell now admits "'That's not a nice thing I said.'"
Lee says now that she's "come back a new person," Cowell told her that she "was a good-looking girl."
"I went through so much after his comments the last time. I was 18 and they really hit me hard. Now I'm delighted. It's been through a lot, including facial surgery. I've gone to every extreme to get to this point," Lee said.
It seems to have worked. Lee belted out Sinead O'Connor's 'Nothing Compares 2 U' at the auditions, and she was quickly sent on to further rounds.
"This year Cheryl Cole said my audition was fantastic and I'm really pleased I've come this far," Lee said.
American Idol judge Simon Cowell arrives at a hotel in Denver, Colo., on Friday, Aug. 7, 2009, for a call back audition of contestants for the American Idol show. (AP Photo/Charles Pulliam)
American Idol judge Simon Cowell arrives at a hotel in Denver, Colo., on Friday, Aug. 7, 2009, for a call back audition of contestants for the American Idol show. (AP Photo/Charles Pulliam)
And what happens when she doesn't make it to the finals? This person frightens me. Yes, Simon made a rude comment, but what else is new? Nobody does this to themselves over one little comment unless they were already vastly insecure. I agree with other commenters, she looked better before. I don't even know what to make of her new "look"; the eye makeup and bow make me think of raggedy Ann, anyway.
That's exactly what I thought ... she now looks like Raggedy Ann! As for the comment Simon made, he never told her to go out and have cosmetic surgery to change her looks so dramatically. She's a loon to claim it's all based on his comment to her; what he said might have been hurtful, but it wasn't a call to have extreme cosmetic surgery.
Simon is the most disgusting, rude and crude person and what makes it worse is he does not care what he says to who or what effect it will have on a person. He needs to go away permanently!!!!
Simon Cowell, whom we do know can be very brutally honest, direct, but most times, right on target! In saying that, as an adult, you are the one that controls what happens to you! She did what she wanted and could afford to herself and for herself, but the need to blame or say that Simon Cowell encouraged this, is so wrong! Simon may have put the thought in her mind, but it was her actions that did this to herself. No matter what you look like on the outside, it's what inside that controls what dictates your life. High Self Esteem, you control you, Low Self Esteem, you'll follow what another says about you, not being strong enough to feel good about you and ignore words.
Simon Sucks! He is so crude and insensitive how can you say things like that to a person let alone in front of cameras with millions to see. She should have held her head high and told him where to go.
I personally, LIKE Simon VERY MUCH for NOT being a FAKE, and telling it, LIKE IT IS, you people have to remember, IT'S HIS MILLION $$ that they get and the label they get from Randy Jackson...So you might want to think about that before casting your nasty statements..As I say : This is MY voice and opinion ** ~~Have a good day !!
To all you people who think she's nuts, just try being on the receiving end of that type of criticism. To be constantly told that you are nice and talented but not good looking is hurtful. On one hand you are dealt your looks due to genetics but on the other hand a minor procedure or two may change things for you personally and professionally. I say if you can afford it and it can help you advance with career goals - go for it. You don't always need to be put out to have cosmetic surgery. There are plenty of doctors who will give you local anesthesia and valium to keep you calm. That will lessen the risk of having general anesthesia during these procedures.
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If you thought people camping out for a day to audition for 'American Idol' was determination, wait until you hear about what one, um, motivated British woman did to get Simon Cowell's 'X-Factor' attention.
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And what happens when she doesn't make it to the finals? This person frightens me. Yes, Simon made a rude comment, but what else is new? Nobody does this to themselves over one little comment unless they were already vastly insecure. I agree with other commenters, she looked better before. I don't even know what to make of her new "look"; the eye makeup and bow make me think of raggedy Ann, anyway.
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That's exactly what I thought ... she now looks like Raggedy Ann! As for the comment Simon made, he never told her to go out and have cosmetic surgery to change her looks so dramatically. She's a loon to claim it's all based on his comment to her; what he said might have been hurtful, but it wasn't a call to have extreme cosmetic surgery.
that was my thought exactly! I thought she looked fine. As for looks, he's one to talk! not mr. handsome
Simon is a ego maniac and should keep his mouth shut about other ppls appearances !
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i think that she looks rather attractive !
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Simon is the most disgusting, rude and crude person and what makes it worse is he does not care what he says to who or what effect it will have on a person. He needs to go away permanently!!!!
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He gets paid to say all that crap. Why else would he not be fired, moron? American Idol is rigged, and all reality tv is a load of bull.
I THINK SIMON COWELL NEEDS A FACE LIFT, BY SOMEBODYS FIST ! JUST REPOSITION THE NOSE A BIT.
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I LOVE her hair! I want mine like that!
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um ok but i thought she was playing dress up as raggedy ann with that harsh red hair and stupid outfit
OMG, don't try to stop her! She NEEDS that surgery! Encourage her to get it immediately! Anything will help!
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You DO realize that the redhead photo IS the after picture??
" --- hygiene procedures." ???
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I was wondering the same thing. I can't even imagine what "hygiene procedures" would be. Maybe I don't want to know. hmmmm....
She does not look a whole lot different, I think the hair and make up is the most dramatic! I hate the hair color!
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Simon Cowell, whom we do know can be very brutally honest, direct, but most times, right on target!
In saying that, as an adult, you are the one that controls what happens to you! She did what she wanted and could afford to herself and for herself, but the need to blame or say that Simon Cowell encouraged this, is so wrong! Simon may have put the thought in her mind, but it was her actions that did this to herself. No matter what you look like on the outside, it's what inside that controls what dictates your life. High Self Esteem, you control you, Low Self Esteem, you'll follow what another says about you, not being strong enough to feel good about you and ignore words.
Reply
Simon Sucks! He is so crude and insensitive how can you say things like that to a person let alone in front of cameras with millions to see. She should have held her head high and told him where to go.
Reply
I personally, LIKE Simon VERY MUCH for NOT being a FAKE, and telling it, LIKE IT IS, you people have to remember, IT'S HIS MILLION $$ that they get and the label they get from Randy Jackson...So you might want to think about that before casting your nasty statements..As I say : This is MY voice and opinion **
~~Have a good day !!
Reply
To all you people who think she's nuts, just try being on the receiving end of that type of criticism. To be constantly told that you are nice and talented but not good looking is hurtful. On one hand you are dealt your looks due to genetics but on the other hand a minor procedure or two may change things for you personally and professionally. I say if you can afford it and it can help you advance with career goals - go for it. You don't always need to be put out to have cosmetic surgery. There are plenty of doctors who will give you local anesthesia and valium to keep you calm. That will lessen the risk of having general anesthesia during these procedures.
Reply
I think she looked better before. And why would Simon say that? Why didn't he say that to Susan Boyle?
Reply