He’s done it before with select winners of “American Idol,” but this time Simon Fuller has committed to manage the career of this season’s winner before they are actually selected. He is, of course, the creator and executive producer of the show.
The new arrangement announced Tuesday (3/29) will be the first time that Fuller has personally managed an act from the show since he launched Adam Lambert’s career in 2009. Over the last eight years, Simon Fuller has guided the multi-platinum careers of a select handful of award-winning Idol singers, including Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks, David Cook and Chris Daughtry.
“Simon Fuller is one of the best artist managers in the business and his track record for success is indisputable. Past Idol winners have become stars under his guidance, and I’m psyched that this year’s American Idol winner will have the opportunity to work with him to cultivate their respective promising careers. It’s going to be exciting to watch,” said Ryan Seacrest, host of the show.
The arrangement to have Simon Fuller guide the career of this season’s “American Idol” winner on Fox is a partnership of Fuller’s new company, XIX, with 19 Entertainment and its parent company CKX Inc. CKX, via 19 Entertainment, owns proprietary rights to the “Idol” television brand.
