Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.There have been few harsher critics of Simon Cowell's influence on pop than Roger Daltrey, who last year declared TV talent contests a "joke", saying: "The music they make on the shows is absolute tripe."
But the prospect of a large pay cheque can apparently quieten righteous indignation. The makers of American Idol, the highest-rated show in the US, have revealed to Rolling Stone that Daltrey applied for a job on the judging panel but was rejected after an audition.
Among the reasons he failed to impress was his uninspiring wardrobe. Daltrey looked "very formal, his hair was cut, he looked like a regular guy," said Mike Darnell, a producer. Unable to twirl his mic-stand The Who frontman apparently lost his rock 'n' roll charisma.
The revelation leaves Daltrey open to allegations of hypocrisy. "We really need to break away from The X Factor and American Idol," he told music students last year. "The Rolling Stones wouldn't have made it past the audition stage."
Aerosmith's Steve Tyler beat Daltrey to the job.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments