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‘AGT’ Season 18 judge Simon Cowell slammed for ‘hating’ True Villains’ performance of OG song

For their audition on August 1, True Villains performed a cover that had impressed Simon Cowell

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA: The rock band True Villains kicked off live performances on 'America's Got Talent' Season 18 with an original song rather than a cover as they did in the auditions. However, Simon Cowell was quick to criticize the performance.

This summer, 'AGT' returned for Season 18 with Terry Crews returning as host and Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, and Sofia Vergara returning as judges.

As in previous years, the winner is set to receive a $1 million cash prize along with the opportunity to perform as a headline act in Las Vegas.

Only 55 performers are chosen to compete in the 'AGT' Qualifiers for America's vote and, hopefully, advance to the finale. True Villains, who formerly had a rocking audition, performed an encore performance on Qualifiers 1 on August 22.

Why did Simon Cowell hate True Villains on 'AGT' Qualifiers 1?

True Villains opened the evening on Tuesday with a fierce performance of an original song. True Villains was aware that they would face severe competition from the other artists, but it was critical for them to establish themselves as an original band and "not a cover band."

Howie stated that metal music is his favorite genre, claiming that he enjoyed their song. Heidi also enjoyed the concert, saying it transported her "back to her 20s" and the band was "super tight."

Sofia stated that she loved them more tonight than she did at their audition and that it was a terrific way to start the program.

However, according to Simon, while they're a decent band, he liked their audition since they did something intriguing with a tune they already knew, but he did not like their original song.

Simon said he "hated the song," despiting admitting that the band can play and sing "really well." He admitted that he liked their audition as they did "something very different" with the song.

As the audience jeered at him while he passed his judgment, the vocalist of True Villains remarked, "It's not for everyone."

Fans of the show took to X, formerly known as Twitter, and complained, "Watching @SimonCowell facial expressions, it's clear that he's neither a Rock or Country fan."

Another chimed in, "SIMON HOW DARE YOU NOT LIKE TRUE VILLAINS. (your always like this) #advise from ten year old." One also noted, "True Villains was a great opening." Others added, "True Villains we’re truly good!!!"

Fans disagreeing with Simon tweeted, "Simon you called it wrong on the #TrueVillains song, they killed it! Voting 10 times for them because I want to see what they do next!" One fan also wrote, "Simon not liking True Villains song is willlld, wake up!"

True Villains applauded by judges on 'AGT' audition

True Villains, a five-person band consisting of Beau Lastavich (vocals), Tim Venerosa (guitar), Greg Herndon (keys), Barry Conaway (bassist), and Matt Carter (drums), participated in Season 18 of 'AGT'.

During their audition, which aired on the night of August 1, the group wowed the audience with an outstanding version of Billie Eilish's song 'Bad Guy' the fifth single of her first studio album, 'When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?'

Beau lifted his arms in the air to encourage the audience to clap along before launching into song. True Villains transformed Billie's electropop blockbuster into a mesmerizing metal rendition.

Beau performed, displaying his gruff tenor voice, with Tim, who contributed with vocal effects throughout the song.

True Villains garnered a lot of acclaim from the judges, which included executive producer Simon, model Heidi, longstanding judge Howie, and actress Sofia.

"I love them," Howie said at one point, and Heidi concurred. While standing off the stage, host Terry dropped his jaw multiple times.

Who are True Villains?

True Villains are a force to be reckoned with in the genre of rock 'n' roll. They compose hard-hitting music that revitalizes the swagger of their idols for the current world, fueled by anthemic choruses, percussive punch, amplified guitars, and vocalist Beau Lastavich's larger-than-life voice.

The five band members, who were raised across America and are now based in Nashville, have paid their dues as a working-class live group, doing four-hour hometown gigs several times a week.

True Villains' compositions honor the influence of a bygone period while recreating that sound for a new generation, filled with modern-rock strength, pop hooks, rhythmic breakdowns, guitar heroics, and vocal harmonies.

Who is Simon Cowell?

Simon Phillip Cowell was born in Lambeth, London, on October 7, 1959. He is a television personality, best known for his work as a judge on many British and American talent competition shows.

'American Idol', 'Pop Idol', 'The X Factor UK', 'The X Factor US', 'Britain's Got Talent', and 'AGT' are among them. Simon is also the sole owner and creator of Syco, a British entertainment firm founded in 2005.

New episodes of 'America's Got Talent' Season 18 air every Tuesday on NBC at 8 pm ET.