Simon Fuller facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Simon Fuller
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Simon Fuller in 2022
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| Born |
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–) |
| Spouse(s) |
Natalie Swanston
(m. 2008) |
| Children | 3 |
Simon Robert Fuller (born May 17, 1960) is a British businessman, talent manager, and producer of films and TV shows. He is famous for creating the Idols TV show format. This includes popular shows like Pop Idol in the UK and American Idol in the USA.
Fuller became well-known in the 1990s for managing the British girl group, the Spice Girls. Since then, he has managed many famous people in entertainment and sports. These include sports stars like David Beckham and Lewis Hamilton, and musicians such as Amy Winehouse and Annie Lennox.
He has also worked with big tech companies like TikTok and Verizon Communications to create new content. In 2021, he partnered with Pearson PLC to start a new global education business for performing arts. In 2016, Fuller helped the Swedish music group ABBA reunite to work on a virtual reality project, which led to the successful ABBA Voyage show.
Time magazine has called Simon Fuller one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Billboard magazine has named him the most successful British music manager ever. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2011. In 2014, the University of Brighton gave him an honorary degree for his work in business and charity.
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Simon Fuller's Life Story
Simon Fuller was born on May 17, 1960, in British Cyprus. His family later moved to Accra, Ghana, where his father was a headmaster. They then moved back to Hastings, England. Simon's father became the headmaster of the school Simon attended there. Simon has two brothers, Kim and Mark.
Starting His Career
Fuller began his career in 1981 at Chrysalis Music Limited in the UK. There, he helped sign Madonna's first hit song, "Holiday". In 1985, he started his own management company called 19 Entertainment. He later sold this company in 2005.
In 2010, he started a new company called XIX Entertainment. This company has offices in London and Los Angeles.
In 2008, Fuller received the PGA Award from the Producers Guild of America in Hollywood. At the event, he was praised by then-British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and then-Prince of Wales (now King Charles III) for his creativity, business skills, and charity work.
TV Shows and New Ideas
Simon Fuller's first TV show was Miami 7, a drama series starring the British pop group S Club 7. This show was shown in over 100 countries and helped launch the careers of stars like Rachel Stevens and Holly Willoughby. It also set a trend for teen music TV shows that came after it, like Glee.
The Idols Phenomenon
In 2001, Fuller created Pop Idol in the UK. This show became a very important reality and entertainment format. It helped artists like Will Young get instant number one hit songs. Will Young's song "Evergreen" was named the biggest selling single of the century in the UK by NME magazine in 2012.
Fuller sold the Pop Idol idea around the world. It became the world's most valuable TV format, earning billions of dollars 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 like Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, and Paula Abdul. Many performers also became famous, including Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.
In 2005, Fuller also helped create So You Think You Can Dance in the US. This show became a popular summer hit for many seasons. In 2012, his company XIX Entertainment created a new international show called Q'Viva! The Chosen with Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, and Jamie King. This show celebrated Latin culture and was seen by over 30 million Spanish-speaking viewers.
In 2018, Fuller launched SKAM Austin in the US, an award-winning drama series based on a Norwegian show. In 2019, he created Serengeti, a wildlife drama for BBC One, which was nominated for an Emmy Award in 2020. In 2023, Fuller created a fictional animal band called The Meeps.
Impact on Music and Entertainment
Fuller is well-known for managing the Spice Girls during their most successful period in the 1990s. He still works with the five members today. Under his guidance, the Spice Girls became a huge marketing success, topped music charts worldwide, and sold over 85 million records.
He has managed many other famous artists, including Annie Lennox, S Club 7, Now United, Steven Tyler, Amy Winehouse, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, and Will Young.
In 2002, Fuller's company discovered 19-year-old Amy Winehouse. They produced her first award-winning album, Frank, and helped her sign with Universal Music.
From 2005 to 2007, the biggest selling music artists in North America—Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and Daughtry—were all managed by Fuller. In 2016, Fuller announced a project with the four original members of ABBA to create a new digital ABBA experience. In 2020, he signed a special agreement with the tech company TikTok.
S Club Juniors
In 2001, while managing S Club 7, Fuller wanted to create a spin-off band of younger performers to support S Club 7 on tour. This led to a reality TV show called S Club Search and a new band named S Club Juniors (later known as S Club 8). The band members were between 10 and 13 years old. S Club Juniors became very popular and went on to release seven singles, two albums, and their own TV show, I Dream.
Fashion and Sports Work
Simon Fuller also has a big interest in fashion. He owns parts of several British fashion businesses, including Victoria Beckham Ltd. In 2008, he helped launch the Victoria Beckham dress collection at New York Fashion Week. This brand has become a best-selling high-end fashion label.
In 2012, Fuller's company launched a David Beckham bodywear line in many H&M stores worldwide. In 2015, Fuller and David Beckham started their own clothing business to develop the David Beckham brand.
Sports Management
In 2003, Fuller partnered with British football star David Beckham. Over 16 years, they built many successful businesses in sports, fashion, and entertainment, known as "Brand Beckham." In 2007, Fuller helped negotiate Beckham's five-year contract to join the LA Galaxy football team.
In 2009, Fuller began managing British tennis player Andy Murray. He represented Murray during his wins at the US Open and Wimbledon. In 2011, Fuller became the manager for British F1 driver Lewis Hamilton. He helped Hamilton move to the MercedesAMG team, where Hamilton won the 2014 F1 World Championship. Hamilton publicly thanked Fuller for his support.
Personal Life
Simon Fuller married Natalie Swanston in May 2008. They have three children. He owns properties in Europe, North America, and South America. In 2014, he received an honorary degree from the University of Brighton for his contributions to business 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
See also
In Spanish: Simon Fuller para niños
