Simon Cowell’s plan to create a DJ talent competition in the vein of American Idol in partnership with Sony Pictures plus Jada Pinkett-Smith and Will Smith’s Overbrook Entertainment have been shelved. According to the New York Post, egos seem to have been the stumbling block as Cowell fought Will and Jada Pinkett Smith’s company for top billing on the show’s credits. A rep for Syco confirmed to Page Six yesterday: “Syco and Overbrook decided not to proceed together on a DJ-competition show.”
“It’s not happening anymore because of Simon,” a source told the Post.
Another source added, “There were some deal points that couldn’t be worked out, and Sony and Overbrook walked away.”
Speaking about his excitement on working with the actress on the project earlier this year, Cowell said, “As soon as I met Jada and Miguel (her associate)… I knew they would be our ideal partners… DJs are the new rock stars. It feels like the right time to make this show.”
Having dodged a bullet, DJ culture now breathes a collective sigh of relief.