Projected finalist Tom Lowe is at the center of a controversy involving Simon Cowell. Lowe auditioned in Seattle and while his audition wasn’t broadcast here in the United States, evidently it was broadcast in Britain (watch Tom Lowe’s audition on YouTube). Lowe is a 28 year-old travel host originally from Manchester in the United Kingdom but now resides in Boston, MA. Paula Abdul asked about Lowe’s membership in the boy band North and South and Randy Jackson quickly jumped in “Did Simon try to sign your band?” Honestly, Lowe answers “No, I believe Simon was working for BMG at the time I was there” eliciting a “wow” response from both Abdul and Jackson. Simon Cowell simply responds “small world” and the audition continues.
Evidently an unnamed “bitter” Idol contestant told the British newspaper The Daily Star “It’s really suspicious that they were at the same record company. Simon claims he doesn’t remember him but there’s a feeling among some people that this could be a fix. A career in the States could be worth $195 million so there’s a lot at stake and people aren’t happy.” Personally I don’t smell a fix; while Lowe has a nice voice I don’t think he’s going to win over America and get the votes needed to be named The American Idol.