Simon Cowell thinks Zayn Malik should have approached him about his new TV show.
Simon Cowell
The former One Direction star has teamed up with 'Law & Order's Dick Wolf and his wife Noelle Wolf on 'Boys', a scripted show about the formation of a successful boy band, and his former record label boss - who signed the group to his Syco label after they were formed, and came second, on his TV show 'The X Factor' in 2010 - believes the hitmaker Zayn owed it to him to offer him the rights to the project first.
Simon, 56, told 'Entertainment Tonight': "Nothing surprises me anymore. I think he should have come to me with it, if I'm being honest with you. I do actually believe that when they've got these ideas, bearing in mind where we started, they should actually come to me."
It might come as a surprise that Simon wanted to work on the show with Zayn - who will executive produce the NBC series - as he previously insisted he was "not interested" in anything the 23-year-old singer said.
Speaking after Zayn admitted he had little contact with his former bandmates or their crew, Simon said: "I'm not interested in a single word he says, but I am interested in what he sings. I've heard [his music], it's good, he's going to do well."
The 'Like I Would' singer seemingly didn't have Simon in mind to work with on the show at all as he is delighted to be working with Dick on the venture.
He said: "Dick Wolf is a legend and the opportunity to work with him and NBC to create a compelling drama series is awesome."
Noelle added: "We were intrigued by the synergistic potential that Zayn brings to the project."
The show will be written by Sherri Cooper Landsman and Jennifer Levin.
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