How caring partner Lauren Silverman and a fun, loving family have transformed Simon Cowell
IT was an evening to celebrate Simon Cowell’s stellar career Stateside.
But on Wednesday night, all eyes were on the woman in the golden dress as his girlfriend, Lauren Silverman, dazzled in the company of the cream of Hollywood.
Her choice of outfit could hardly have been more fitting.
Five years into her relationship with the X Factor star, the stunning New York socialite has gone from scarlet woman to golden girl — proving the naysayers wrong and finally taming TV’s Mr Nasty.
Today the couple are happier than ever. Gone are Simon’s all-night work benders and harem of women.
In their place is his beloved four-year-old son Eric, regular movie nights and even trips to the supermarket.
He has also developed an incredibly close bond with Lauren’s 12-year-old son Adam, from her marriage to businessman Andrew Silverman.
Simon regards Adam as a stepson, and young Eric and Adam also get on incredibly well. They spent much of Wednesday night playing together.
A friend said: “Lauren has introduced a sense of balance to Simon’s life.
“He is always going to be a workaholic, and work genuinely is his great passion but the one thing Lauren has succeeded in doing is showing him how to actually enjoy success.
“She has introduced family dinners, movie nights and precious family moments — that money can’t buy. She keeps his feet firmly on the ground.”
One of the pictures on the wall at the party shows the family — Lauren, Simon, Adam and Eric — messing about, and sticking their tongues out for the camera.
The friend added: “Adam and Eric’s brotherly bond is incredibly heart-warming. They always play pranks and have so much fun together.
“Simon adores Adam, and treats him like a son. There’s a lot of love there.”
The 58-year-old mogul once lived something of a vampire existence, regularly working until 5am across time zones and only surfacing after lunch. Nowadays he doesn’t even own a mobile phone.
He has also ditched all forms of social media, privately branding it “narcissistic and pointless”, and can regularly be spotted enjoying wholesome, daytime bike rides with Lauren and Eric in tow.
He has changed his living arrangements, too.
First, 41-year-old American Lauren completely renovated Simon’s £10million West London mansion.
Out went the dark, bachelor-pad style and in came a stunning, airy, minimalist decor.
Secondly, he his relocating, both in the UK and America. Here the family plan on moving out of central London to the suburbs, and Stateside they have swapped busy LA for calm, beachside Malibu.
Whereas previously he was one of showbiz’s most resolute bachelors, Simon is now devoted to the mother of his only child.
Behind him he has a series of failed romances, including singer Sinitta, former model Jackie St Clair, TV presenter Terri Seymour and, most recently, make-up artist Mezhgan Hussainy, to whom he was briefly engaged before their split in 2011.
Uncharacteristically, Simon is ridiculously soppy with Lauren, even in public.
This was evident on Wednesday when Simon, worth around £365million, puckered up to his girlfriend as they walked into LA’s trendy AGO restaurant owned by Robert De Niro.
The couple were celebrating Simon’s newly-installed star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, in front of 150 guests including Mel B, Amanda Holden, US singers Kelly Clarkson and Camila Cabello, and supermodel Heidi Klum.
Paul Anka performed a special version of Simon’s favourite song, My Way, and the restaurant featured a stunning photo wall.
It was made up of intimate images of Simon with friends, family and stars. Touchingly, Lauren made a speech, thanking her boyfriend for being a wonderful partner and dad.
In his reply Simon made reference to his beloved late parents, Julie and Eric. He said: “Lauren, you have been my rock over the last few years.
“And one thing I was thinking about today was who would have got the biggest kick out of this, and it’s my mum and dad, and they are not here. I have a feeling they’re looking down.”
Then, reflecting on his Walk of Fame accolade, he added: “Now I look over to my son, Eric, and say, ‘Maybe one day you will get one of these as well’.”
One of the most telling aspects of Lauren and Simon’s relationship relates to his mum, who died, aged 90, in 2015.
As well as often visiting her frequently when she was in hospital, Lauren then became Simon’s enduring confidant after her death.
The couple’s relationship did not get off to the easiest of starts.
After meeting at the five-star Sandy Lane Hotel in Barbados in 2004, they struck up a friendship alongside Lauren’s then-husband Andrew.
Over the next decade the trio socialised regularly. Then, in 2013, Lauren and Simon began a passionate affair.
When Lauren got pregnant, they came clean about the romance and property tycoon Andrew divorced her, citing “unreasonable behaviour”.
While Simon’s history of womanising was largely overlooked, Lauren became public enemy No1. Accused of being a money-grabber, she was understandably left reeling.
A close friend said: “Lauren was thrust into the limelight and found the whole experience traumatic.
“She was painted as some sort of scarlet lady. Lauren is not proud of how their relationship started, but she simply fell madly in love. She is devoted to Simon, and has dedicated her life to him and her family.
“So much has gone on behind the scenes that people aren’t aware of, and things had already broken down with Andrew long before she and Simon fell for one another.”
Now, after five years — and one child — the couple continue to prove the doubters wrong.
Lauren shares custody of Adam with her ex, and flies to New York every other week to be with him.
In school holidays Adam spends as much time as possible with Lauren, Simon and Eric.
Meanwhile, on a professional level, things are going full steam ahead.
Simon has just landed a three-year, £25million deal with NBC, to continue as a judge and executive producers on America’s Got Talent.
On Saturday, the 15th series of The X Factor kicks off with a revamped judging panel — Simon, singer Louis Tomlinson and big-money signings Robbie Williams and his wife, Ayda Field.
Simon — twice voted one of Time magazine’s Most Influential People in the World — made his name as TV’s Mr Nasty, famous for the catchphrase “I don’t want to be mean, but . . . ”
However, studio insiders say this year he is kinder to contestants than ever. Again, this is down to Lauren.
An ITV insider said: “She is Simon’s best friend and he trusts her implicitly. This includes work decisions. He regularly consults her about new formats and shows.
“Ayda is one of her closest friends and it was Lauren’s suggestion to get them on the panel.
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"It’s proved an inspired one, as they’re hilarious and a massive hit with studio audiences.
“In other words, Lauren’s influence exerts far beyond the bedroom — and well into the boardroom.”
Now that really is golden.