Simon Cowell on His Lack of Involvement In Some One Direction Members' Solo Projects: 'I'm Not Bitter – Much'

Simon Cowell doesn't really have hard feelings towards his lack of involvement in some of One Direction's solo projects.

"I hear so many things now, which they're doing, which I'm not involved with. It's a bit like I'm getting the hint you don't want me to come to the party," he told reporters Tuesday night on the America's Got Talent season 11 finale live show red carpet after being asked why he wasn't involved in Zayn Malik's new show, which was inspired by the band.

"Sorry for making you famous," quipped Cowell, 56.

Malik, who left the band in 2015, is also set to release his first book, Zayn. And when asked what kind of things he thinks may be divulged in the tome, Cowell admitted: "You know what? I genuinely don't care."



In addition to Malik's latest projects, Liam Payne has signed a solo deal with Capitol Records and Niall Horan is rumored to be inking one sans Cowell himself.

The X Factor and AGT judge explained: "I'm very close with some of them, like Louis [Tomlinson] and Harry [Styles] is an example, and the great thing about those two is that we sit back and we laugh about all of the crazy times we had and the fun times we had and they've enjoyed it."

"You have to look at it that way because it's not a prison sentence," continued Cowell. "It's an opportunity."

However, Cowell admits, he "would have liked" for the former band members to reach out to him about their solo projects.

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"Look, I'm not going to lie when I hear they're doing something and they haven't approached me. You think, 'Well I would have liked you to,' but it's their choice," says Cowell.

He adds with a laugh: "I'm not bitter – much."

Last August, the singers – who got their start on the X Factor UK in 2010 – announced they would be taking a hiatus.

As for whether or not Cowell thinks there will be a 1D reunion in the future?

"I hope there will be a reunion, yeah," admits Cowell. "Yeah. You never know."