Simon Wants to Topple 'We Are the World'

By Rob Shuter Posted Feb 4th 2010 07:00AM

Simon Cowell is the top dog at many things -- 'Idol,' 'X Factor' and so forth, and now the music mogul wants to be the titan of another industry -- the Haiti charity song biz. Simon's competitive side has him gearing up for a fight with fellow music honcho Quincy Jones as they unleash dueling Haiti benefit tunes. Healthy competition for a good cause is just fine by us. More on Simon's quest, plus scoop on Neil Patrick Harris and Fashion Week after the jump!

Simon vs. Quincy: Whose Charity Record Will Triumph?

Even when doing good, Simon Cowell can't let go of his competitive nature, and wants to make sure his all-star Haiti single is a bigger hit than Quincy Jones' re-recording of 'We Are The World.'

Simon's 'Everybody Hurts'

"Simon is competitive about everything he does. He has to clean his teeth better than anyone, he has to earn more money than anyone -- and he is determined that his single to benefit Haiti has to outsell Quincy Jones record," a friend of the 'Idol' judge tells me.

So the stage is set to see if Simon's cover version of REM's classic ballad 'Everybody Hurts' -- featuring Susan Boyle, Jon Bon Jovi, Mariah Carey and Michael Buble -- will outsell Celine Dion and Barbra Streisand's version of 'We Are the World.'

This is one competition where there truly are no losers.

Neil Patrick Harris Heading to Broadway

As if he's not busy enough, sources tell me that Neil Patrick Harris is the only choice to star in a new musical revival of 'Barnum' on Broadway, based on the life of legendary showman.

"After Neil hosted last year's Primetime Emmy Awards, he proved he was a brilliant song and dance man. That's when producer Cameron Mackintosh who produced 'Phantom' and 'Cats,' decided Neil should play P. T. Barnum on Broadway," a friend of the legendary producer told me.

Now the only thing left to work out is how Neil will be able to commit to a Broadway production between tapings of his hit CBS comedy 'How I Met Your Mother,' and his new game show he is set to host!

How You Can Attend Fashion Week

I'm proud to announce that I will be joining my friends Naomi Campbell and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, to help organize Fashion for Relief - Haiti during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City.

This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the thrill of a world-class fashion show will be the only show of the entire week that the public can by tickets for, with 100% of ticket proceeds going towards the relief efforts in Haiti. Tickets will be available for purchase for American Express Cardmembers starting tomorrow at 10 a.m. on Ticketmaster.com, and Monday for everyone else.

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Tags: haiti, simon cowell, SimonCowell

Comments

(8)

Thursday 04 February

By Don Chance

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Ithought the song was great...what was wrong with it was Simon
at the end saying I don't care if you people like it or not. He did a great job doing the the song but why say something like that...He is no cool at all!!!!

Monday 08 February

By M

it was a radio DJ talking at the end. it wasn't Simon's voice

By mj1fan

The song is really nice....I just hope this doesnt resolve to be about who has "the bigger hit" because that shouldnt be what this is about. Its about raising money to help our fellow man--not about who has the better song...I hope the "friend of the idol judge" has it wrong. I would believe Simon is a better man than that. This isnt about Simon....or it shouldnt be.

By Mike

When is someone going to do us all a favor and whack Simon right in the chops?

By Michaela Thurlow

I wrote a song for Haiti titled "We Can Stand" and sang it at the Music Helping Haiti Benefit Concert in Washington DC this past weekend. If you Google "We Can Stand", you can hear it.

By Joanne Warner

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What I want to know is..what about We are the World for the United States and all the people who are unemployed, losing their homes, scrambling to feed their children, heat their homes, etc. I feel for the people in Haiti, truly I do. But whenever anything happens here in the US there is never anything like this done. Both my daughter and my brother have been unemployed for two years now. I lost my job in April/2009.
My daughter and grandson had to move back in with me and I am just about paying my bills...which may I add are extraordinary and I dont even own a car. The money alone for heating in the winter is absolutely incredible. Where is the World for that?

By scrabblequeenbee

Simon is a JERK. He is why I don't watch American Idol.

Saturday 06 February

By Sonia

Hi Rob
It's Sonia Moskowitz. Who do I contact regarding covering the Fashion for Relief event? I saw that you were one of the organizers and would like to photograph, for Globe Photos.
Thanks

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