The new Simon Cowell documentary/talent-search-show (seriously, what genre is it?) has sparked a surprisingly specific question from viewers: what's with the orange-tinted glasses he wears so often on camera?
While the shades might look like a style choice (or just a very Simon-esque way of avoiding eye contact), Cowell has previously explained they're actually a practical fix for a painful health condition: migraines triggered by harsh studio lighting.
In an Instagram post addressing rumours after he missed auditions last year, Cowell wrote: "I just found out according to the internet, I have a 'mystery illness'. For anyone concerned, I missed two auditions at the end of one day, two weeks ago, because I do get migraines after long days in the filming lights.
"Next week we are filming BGT in Manchester – I look forward to seeing you then. PS. This is why I wear these glasses!"
He's also explained the logic in even plainer terms when discussing the tinted lenses and what they do for him on other. Speaking about the impact of bright set lighting, Cowell told The Standard last year: "The red glasses are because I have lights in my eyes all day long and it's like a laser and I get migraines and that's like a filter. They actually do work."
Elsewhere, during an episode of America’s Got Talent, Cowell added that sleep is another reaches for tinted lenses, saying: "Number one, I get migraines… Number two, I don’t sleep well so I found these."
It's estimated that around 10 million people in the UK live with migraines, a type of headache which can cause visual disturbances, vomiting and intense pain.
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Jennifer Savin is Cosmopolitan UK's multiple award-winning Features Editor, who was crowned Digital Journalist of the Year for her work tackling the issues most important to young women. She regularly covers breaking news, cultural trends, health, the royals and more, using her esteemed connections to access the best experts along the way. She's grilled everyone from high-profile politicians to A-list celebrities, and has sensitively interviewed hundreds of people about their real life stories. In addition to this, Jennifer is widely known for her own undercover investigations and campaign work, which includes successfully petitioning the government for change around topics like abortion rights and image-based sexual abuse. Jennifer is also a published author, documentary consultant (helping to create BBC’s Deepfake Porn: Could You Be Next?) and a patron for Y.E.S. (a youth services charity). Alongside Cosmopolitan, Jennifer has written for The Times, Women’s Health, ELLE and numerous other publications, appeared on podcasts, and spoken on (and hosted) panels for the Women of the World Festival, the University of Manchester and more. In her spare time, Jennifer is a big fan of lipstick, leopard print and over-ordering at dinner. Follow Jennifer on Instagram, X or LinkedIn.
