Cowell Refuses to Listen to Anonymous Music 2/21/05

Simon Cowell refuses to listen to any of the CDs he is sent by wannabe pop idols. The British music mogul prefers to keep his exposure to new artists limited to TV talent contest American Idol and British show The X Factor, rather than signing strangers he encounters on the streets. 

Cowell, 45, says, "There's certainly a bit of that, yes. You get a lot of CDs thrown at you." As for listening to the CDs, he comments, "No, no. I did do once but never again. It was torture." 

But Cowell remains unfazed he could be missing out on signing the next big thing and adds, "Well, then I'd rather miss out on it. I'll survive."