Simon Cowell: The Next Act - 5 questions we're left with after new boyband show drops onto Netflix
We've done our best to answer them allSimon Cowell has made his TV comeback with new Netflix show The Next Act – but it has left viewers with a string of burning questions.
The music mogul’s huge series dropped earlier this week and it sees him searching for the next big boyband.
Simon will be seen auditioning young guys from the UK at home in London, before whisking his 16 favourites off to Los Angeles.
At first look, Simon Cowell: The Next Act is giving major X Factor vibes. But with Simon as the only judge.
The show also features his American wife-to-be, Lauren Silverman, pretty prominently and for extra drama. A welcome change from leaf-clad Sinitta, perhaps?
It remains to be seen whether Simon can create the as-yet unrivalled global success he had with One Direction. But that isn’t the only question on viewers’ lips.
Here, we take a look at the 5 questions fans have been left wondering since Simon Cowell: The Next Act dropped onto Netflix.
Simon Cowell: The Next Act – Why is his boyband called December 10?
By the end of all six episodes of Simon Cowell: The Next Act, Simon has selected his new boyband.
They are Nicolas Alves, 16, Cruz Lee-Ojo, 19, Hendrik Christoffersen, 19, and John Fadare, 17. Then Danny Bretherton, 16, Josh Olliver, 17, Sean Hayden, 19, complete the line-up.
Simon has since called his new boyband December 10. Not the most catchy name… so why did he pick it?
The name was chosen because The Next Act dropped onto Netflix on December 10. Original, right? Catchy? No.
Why is there seven boys in December 10?
It was a surprise to viewers when Simon picked seven singers to be in his new boyband. And his record company pals were shocked, too.
Dickon Stainer, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music UK, told the lads in The Next Act: “Obviously we’ve been thinking about it a lot. I mean, we’d never met you. We didn’t know there was 7 of you. But we liked your music.”
Simon makes it clear at the start of his Netflix show that he wants to ride the new K-Pop wave that has taken over the world. In line with this, he has gone K-Pop-style with a seven member band, rather than a traditional Western five-piece.
But one X Factor fan has shared their fears online. They wrote on Reddit: “Remember the band Simon put together back in 2015 X Factor UK, Stereo Kicks? Yeah, there were 7 of them after he didn’t want to trim it down to 5. And they ended up being a flop.”
Tell that to BTS, the biggest K-Pop band in the world, though. The seven member group is believed to have net worth reaching into the billions.
Why haven’t December 10 released any songs?
Next Act viewers have been left baffled as to why December 10 haven’t yet released their debut single. We know the band, we know the band’s name… but we want to hear their music!
In the final episode, the band were heard singing a cover of Usher’s 2004 track, Caught Up. We also heard a version of *NSYNC’s Bye Bye Bye. This is also from the Noughties (note the theme). And that was the most we got.
One viewer complained online: “I’m shocked they don’t even have a song out yet. Isn’t that the whole point. Put the series on Netflix and bam, hit us with a single! Was it just a fake series for us to see how cool his life is jetting around?”
Well, it turns out December 10 have actually recorded their first song. But only a very few people have heard it.
One senior tabloid editor claims she was invited to Simon’s house in London to listen to the band’s track. She says she heard it in Simon’s kitchen with Lauren and the couple’s private chef and described it as “classic pop”.
The group is already signed to record giants EMI/Universal, which has Taylor Swift and Lewis Capaldi on its books. Simon has plans for December 10 to release music in 2026, so watch this space…
Why doesn’t the band have official social media accounts?
In his X Factor glory years, Simon Cowell’s protégés didn’t really have social media. Their online presence began and ended with Twitter.
It appears Simon is still living in 2007, as December 10 don’t have official social accounts either. Fans are utterly confused by the decision.
When searching for ‘December 10 Instagram’, you might think you’ve struck lucky. You haven’t. It’s just four Scottish, middle-aged blokes who play in a band called December Tenth.
One Next Act viewer wrote on Reddit: “I’m perplexed as to why they don’t have an online presence whatsoever and that other band on Instagram with the same name really threw me!”
Another added: “It’s bizarre to me that they don’t even seem to have a social media presence. Like I couldn’t find them on Instagram even.
“Surely if you spend a year making a band you at least have a social media presence ready and a single to drop?”
You’d think?
When is December 10 going on tour?
If 90s boyband Five can still sell out arenas (congrats on the recent reunion tour), then Simon must be eyeing up a full UK and Ireland tour for December 10. And a worldwide one too, if One Direction is anything to go by.
There are rumours online that the lads will be going on a “50-date tour in 2026”. But as it stands, that is all this claim is – a rumour.
Simon will definitely hit the road with his Next Act band, but when exactly remains to be seen. Simon needs to launch December 10’s Instagram and TikTok accounts first, otherwise how else will he alert the fans to ticket sales?
It’s a baffling show which leaves us with one other question; Do you think BTS are quaking in their boots? Unlikely.
Read more: Friends is leaving Netflix UK and this is where you can watch it next
