Anthony Andolino Comments on Simon Cowell's Audition Slam  2/7/06

"ACCESS HOLLYWOOD" EXCLUSIVE: ANTHONY ANDOLINO, SIMON COWELL'S RECENT "AMERICAN IDOL" TARGET TALKS TO NANCY O'DELL ABOUT SIMON'S CRUEL COMMENTS

Cowell: "It's Just As Well, We Couldn't Afford The Food Bill."

Andolino: "It Hurt My Feelings, I Felt It Was Unnecessary and I Get It, That's His Thing, But At The Same Time, It's Like Kicking Someone When They're Down."

BURBANK, Calif. - February 7, 2006- In an exclusive interview with "Access Hollywood's" Nancy O'Dell, Anthony Andolino, Simon Cowell's recent "American Idol" target talks about Simon's cruel comments. The interview airs on "Access Hollywood," Tuesday, February 7, 2006 (Log onto AccessHollywood.com to check local time and station).

After the judges passed on Andolino, 28, he left the audition room in Las Vegas and Cowell crossed the line of sensitivity, "Just as well, we couldn't afford the food bill."

Andolino heard the comment for the very first time when he was watching at home with his family along with the rest of America. He said, "I was shocked, my family was shocked, it went from 'wow there's Anthony' to 'oh my gosh he just said that!'" Andolino added, "It hurt my feelings, I felt it was unnecessary and...I get it, that's his thing, but at the same time, it's like kicking someone when they're down."

Andolino went on to say, "The only thing Simon can say is 'my name is Simon and I'm a jerk.'" He stopped there and then took the high road saying, "Life is too short to go and slam somebody. I'm not going to slam him when he's not here to defend himself like he did to me."

Andolino finally gets his chance in Hollywood tonight as he performs on "Access Hollywood." He also takes us back to his home in New Jersey to meet his girlfriend and his 75 pets.

"Access Hollywood" is produced by NBC and distributed by NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution. Rob K Silverstein is the executive producer.

Source: Access Hollywood Press Release