We wrote earlier how Simon Cowell has signed a huge new deal with Netflix for a show where he tries to find ‘the new One Direction’. Only problem is – no one is turning up to the auditions, with only 40 people making up the height of the queue at the first event in Liverpool, prompting two upcoming audition dates to be cancelled.

Well, it looks like Cowell has now found a solution, by reportedly inviting transgender men to apply for the show and be in with a chance of forming the next big British boy band.

A source told The Sun:

‘Simon knows he has to change with the times and loves being a trailblazer. He thinks it could be a game-changer and shows he understands how progressive the industry is.’

Well, I guess it’s not the worst idea in the world. It’s only a matter of time until a transgender pop star becomes a household name and the media lose their minds about it, while grown men declare it the end of civilisation and 13-year-old girls celebrate a new era of trans acceptance in the mainstream. So why not have it happen on Simon Cowell’s new Netflix show?

Why stop at inviting transgender men to the auditions, though? If Simon Cowell is really serious about having the next One Direction be as progressive a boy band as possible, he’ll ask disabled, transgender, Muslim migrants to audition specifically. Now that would be a ratings winner right there!

Aside from that, show bosses have been reaching out to TikTokers and influencers to promote the call-out for auditions, and are even privately messaging independent bands to try to convince them to go on the show. Fin Power from Liverpudlian band STONE, claimed he had received a message from someone on behalf of Simon and shared his brutal response.

He explains:

‘I got this message from someone on behalf of Simon Cowell. ‘Hello, Fin. I’m contacting you on behalf of Simon Cowell!’

‘We are working with him to scout singers around the age of 16-18 years old for a new boyband, which is being filmed as part of a potential televised documentary following him on his search.

‘The company following Simon Cowell is BTBSC Series Ltd, trading as Box-to-Box Films. I’d like to provide you with further information about how you would like to audition for this, if you are interested.”

Responding, Fin wrote:

‘Tell Simon to go f*** himself.’

Seems that people have cottoned on that these kind of shows are all about exploitation with the intention of making money for Simon Cowell, with an outside chance of actually making it big in showbusiness. Let’s hope for Simon’s sake that transgender wannabe pop star are more open to the idea of being belittled and berated by him for Netflix than young Fin is.