SIMON Cowell’s no stranger to a viral TV moment – but his latest has left fans very confused.
The America’s Got Talent judge, 65, appeared on The Jennifer Hudson Show yesterday, adding his name to the list of star guests that have been given a guard of honour by show staff in its famous ‘Spirit Tunnel’.
The feelgood moment, which celebrates famous guests on their way into the studio, never fails to bring good vibes.
Penn Badgley’s smooth moves and Billy Zane’s charismatic tunnel walk also went viral, but for different reasons than Simon’s awkward Brit energy.
Despite his rhythmic struggle, the music mogul looked to be loving the applause from the crew as they chanted his name.
He decided to clap his way down the corridor in an unusual style that resembled a praying mantis.
Dressed in his trademark black T-shirt and blue jeans, Simon looked bashful as he acknowledged the show staff on his way into the studio.
But he clearly relished it given he asked if he could do it again.
One fan of the show wrote on X, “Why does Simon Cowell clap like he has baby T-Rex arms?”
Another posted, “Why is Simon Cowell clapping like that?”
A third said, “Why does Simon Cowell clap like he’s a robot trying to emulate human movements?”
The fun bit of cheerleading could soon make its way onto AGT, if Simon has his way.
When host Jennifer asked, “Did you enjoy the Spirit Tunnel, Simon?”, he said, “I absolutely loved that. When they told me about it, it is seriously the best way of coming onto a show, seriously do you mind if I steal it for AGT?”
She responded, “We will do it for you on it, if you want.”
Revealing his desire to do it again, he told her, “I wanted to do it twice, maybe I’ll do it on the way back.”
His uncomfortable demeanor in the tunnel won’t be a surprise to anyone who listened to his interview on the How to Fail podcast earlier this year.
The talent show judge said he hates “small talk” because he’s “socially inept” and that being in a room full of people he doesn’t know and having to talk to them is “torture”.
Simon explained: “I am very shy. I can’t go to a pre-party — it’s my worst thing in the world making small talk with people I don’t know.
“If we have a common subject, I’m pretty good, but years ago if I had to go to a party, particularly if we had to stand up with a drink, with horrible food, and just talk to people you don’t know — it’s torture.
“So once I was known by people it was kind of good because it broke the ice with people you meet.
“Instantly they know you, you’re talking about something I like, which is the shows, the artist, whatever, which helped me with my shyness.”
