Simon Fuller facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Simon Fuller
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Simon Fuller in 2022
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Simon Robert Fuller
17 May 1960 British Cyprus
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| Occupation | Talent manager, television producer, investor, creative consultant |
| Years active | 1981–present |
| Employer | 19 Entertainment (1985–2010) XIX Entertainment (2010–) |
Simon Fuller (born May 17, 1960) is a British businessman, artist manager, and TV producer. He is famous for creating the Idols TV show format. This includes Pop Idol in the UK and American Idol in the US.
Fuller became well-known in the 1990s for managing the British girl group the Spice Girls. Since then, he has managed many stars in entertainment. These include sports stars like David Beckham and Lewis Hamilton. He has also managed musicians such as Amy Winehouse and Annie Lennox.
Since 2020, Fuller has worked with the tech company TikTok. He helps develop new TikTok creators. In the same year, he teamed up with Verizon Communications to create 5G content. In 2021, Pearson PLC partnered with Fuller to start a new global education business in Performing Arts. In 2016, Fuller convinced the Swedish band ABBA to reunite. This led to the exciting ABBA Voyage project.
Time magazine has named Fuller one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Billboard magazine has called him the most successful British music manager ever. Fuller received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on May 23, 2011. In 2014, the University of Brighton gave him an honorary degree. This was for his work in business, entrepreneurship, and charity. The 2020 Sunday Times Rich List estimated Fuller's wealth at £445 million.
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Simon Fuller's Early Life
Fuller was born on May 17, 1960, in British Cyprus. Later, his family moved to Accra, Ghana. His father was the headmaster of the British Military School there. The family then moved back to Hastings, East Sussex. Simon's father became the headmaster of the school Simon attended. Simon has two brothers, Kim and Mark.
How Simon Fuller Started His Career
Fuller began his career in 1981 at Chrysalis Music Limited in the UK. He helped sign Madonna's first hit song, "Holiday," to the company. In 1985, he started his own management company, 19 Entertainment. He later sold this business to CKX, Inc. in 2005 for over $200 million.
By 2008, his company made a profit of $92.5 million. Fuller became a director at CKX. This gave him creative control over many famous assets. These included the Elvis Presley Estate and Muhammad Ali's business interests. In 2010, he started a new company called XIX Entertainment. This company is based in London and Los Angeles.
In February 2008, the Producers Guild of America gave Fuller an award in Hollywood. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and King Charles III (then Prince of Wales) praised him. They thanked him for his creativity, business skills, and charity work. They also thanked him for supporting the Prince's charity, The Prince's Trust.
TV Shows and Entertainment Formats
Fuller's first TV show was Miami 7. This was a drama series starring the British pop group S Club 7. It was shown by BBC and Fox Kids in over 100 countries. Miami 7 helped start the careers of stars like Rachel Stevens and Holly Willoughby. It also set the stage for other teen music shows like Glee and High School Musical.
The Idols Phenomenon
In 2001, Fuller created Pop Idol in the UK. This show became a very important reality TV format. It created instant number one hit songs. For example, Will Young's song "Evergreen" was the biggest selling single of the century in the UK. Fuller sold Pop Idol around the world. It became the most valuable TV format, worth over $8 billion. This money came from sponsors, merchandise, phone votes, music sales, and advertising.
In the US, American Idol became a top-rated show. It made stars of its host Ryan Seacrest and judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, and Paula Abdul. Many performers also became famous, including Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood. In 2008, over 30 million viewers watched David Cook win American Idol. When Fuller relaunched the show in 2011, ratings went up by 20% for the finale. A record 122.4 million votes were cast.
Other Popular TV Shows
In 2005, Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe launched So You Think You Can Dance on Fox. This show ran for 16 seasons and was a popular summer hit. In 2012, Simon Fuller's XIX Entertainment created a new show called Q'Viva! The Chosen. This show celebrated Latin culture with Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony. It was shown in 21 countries and reached over 30 million Spanish-speaking viewers.
In 2016, Norwegian TV announced a deal with Fuller to produce an English version of Skam. Fuller later partnered with Facebook to launch SKAM Austin in the US in 2018.
In 2017, Fuller's company XIX held auditions for Now United. This is a global pop group with members from 14 different cities. In 2019, the London Evening Standard confirmed that BBC One would show Serengeti. This is a wildlife drama created by Fuller. In 2020, Serengeti, narrated by Lupita Nyong'o, was nominated for a Primetime EMMY Award.
In February 2023, Fuller created a fictional animal band called The Meeps. Their first song was "Love Louder."
Simon Fuller's Impact on Music
Fuller became famous in the 1990s for managing the pop group the Spice Girls. He has managed many other artists, including Victoria Beckham, Annie Lennox, S Club 7, Now United, Steven Tyler, Amy Winehouse, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Will Young, Emma Bunton, Any Gabrielly, The Future X, and Lisa Marie Presley. He also managed sports stars like Lewis Hamilton and Andy Murray.
In 2008, Billboard magazine named Fuller the most successful British music manager of all time. He has managed Annie Lennox's career since her album Diva in 1991. He also managed hit songwriters and producers, such as Cathy Dennis. Under Fuller's guidance, Dennis became the UK's top female songwriter. She wrote hits for artists like Kylie Minogue, Britney Spears, Katy Perry, and Pink.
Fuller managed the Spice Girls during their biggest success in the 1990s. He still works with the five members today. With Fuller's help, the Spice Girls became a huge marketing success. They topped charts worldwide and sold over 85 million records. In 2002, Fuller's company discovered 19-year-old Amy Winehouse. They produced her first award-winning album Frank and signed her to Universal Music.
From 2005 to 2007, the biggest selling music acts in North America were Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and Daughtry. All of them were managed by Fuller. In 2016, Fuller announced a project with the four original members of ABBA. They planned to create a new digital ABBA. In 2020, BBC News reported that Fuller signed a deal with TikTok to create a new TikTok supergroup.
Simon Fuller and Fashion
Fuller owns parts of several British fashion businesses, including Victoria Beckham Ltd. In 2006, Fuller helped his company 19 Entertainment buy a majority share in Storm Model Management. In 2008, Fuller launched the Victoria Beckham dress collection at New York Fashion Week.
Since then, Victoria Beckham Limited has become a best-selling high-end fashion brand. It is sold in over 400 stores worldwide. It won Brand of The Year at the 2012 and 2014 British Fashion Awards. In 2012, Fuller went with Victoria Beckham to launch the business in China.
In 2012, XIX Entertainment launched a David Beckham bodywear range. It was sold in 2,500 H&M stores globally. In 2015, Fuller announced a partnership with Global Brands Group. This gave Fuller and Beckham ownership of their own clothing business. Their goal was to develop the David Beckham brand and other products. The first result was the relaunch of the British menswear label Kent & Curwen in 2016. This brand now has 113 stores in 51 cities. In 2019, US media reported that Fuller sold 33% of David Beckham's business for $50 million.
Simon Fuller's Work in Sports
In 2003, Fuller partnered with British footballer David Beckham. Over 16 years, they built many business interests in sports, fashion, and entertainment. This became known as Brand Beckham. In 2006, Fuller began representing the England soccer team. The next year, Fuller helped Beckham sign a five-year contract to join LA Galaxy.
In 2013, Fuller and Beckham discussed buying an MLS football team in Miami. Beckham thanked Fuller in an interview, saying Fuller helped him get a clause in his contract to own a team after his playing career.
Later in 2013, Fuller and Beckham launched a new global whisky with the British company Diageo. Fuller's plan for Beckham to own an MLS team was announced in January 2018. Miami was confirmed as the 25th MLS team. The Financial Times reported that Fuller sold his interests in David Beckham's business in 2019 for about £50 million. In 2025, The Sunday Times published an interview where Fuller explained how he created "Brand Beckham."
In 2009, Fuller began managing British tennis player Andy Murray. He represented Murray during his US Open and Wimbledon wins. He also helped Murray start his own business. In March 2011, Fuller became the manager of British F1 driver Lewis Hamilton. Many were surprised when he moved Hamilton from McLaren to a long-term contract with the MercedesAMG team. Hamilton won the 2014 F1 World Championship and publicly thanked Fuller.
Simon Fuller's Personal Life
Fuller married Natalie Swanston in May 2008. They have three children.
He owns properties in Europe, North America, and South America. In 2014, the University of Brighton gave Fuller an honorary degree. This was to recognize his contributions to business, entrepreneurship, and charity.
Awards and Recognitions
- 2016 Entrepreneur of the Year Britweek Award
- 2016 Governor's Award Creative Arts Emmy
- 2014 Honorary Degree, University of Brighton
- 2011 Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
- 2007 Top Trend Setter, Forbes Magazine
