I can't stand stage mothers. It doesn't work. You definitely feel that with the new generation of pop stars right now they've all managed to work it out for themselves. You have to have confidence in that. When you're young, you know your market better than I will. I love having young people on the show because I can learn from them.

Good is not enough. You've got to be great.

My advice would be if you want to pursue a career in the music business, don't.

Work hard, be patient, and be a sponge while learning your business. Learn how to take criticism. Follow your gut instincts and don't compromise.

I look at him [son Eric] and I think of my dad all the time.... I was born to be a dad.

The object of this competition is not to be mean to the losers but to find a winner. The process makes you mean because you get frustrated.

Every single negative can lead to a positive. Any negative situation... don't get too down about it - you'll work it out. You learn it as you go along. You don't get smart at 17. You just don't unless you're one of a billion. it will happen over time and it's the getting there which will be the most fun.