How Randy Jackson And Simon Cowell Bonded Over Getting Back Surgery

Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell have a lot more in common than most people think. They both served as judges on American Idol starting in 2002. Now, the pair have bonded after they both underwent back surgery within the past two years and gone on health journeys.

Randy Jackson And Simon Cowell Both Had Back Surgery

Simon was previously involved in an electric bike accident that left him with a broken back. After a six-hour surgery to have a metal rod placed in his back, the ‘AGT’ judge had to begin physical therapy to help him get back up on his feet again. If you want to know all of the details about the accident, check out the video below.

“I also had spine surgery a year and a half or so ago, so it’s funny both he and I are having all these back pains,” Randy told Entertainment Tonight. “But he’s doing great. He’s really doing great.”

Thankfully, both Simon and Randy are now back up on their feet. Randy returned to the talent show circuit where he now serves as the bandleader on Name That Tune. After taking a Barbados vacation with his family, Simon is also looking to return to ‘AGT’ and ‘BGT’ in the near future. It was also announced that he is joining the judging panel on The X Factor Israel.

“I kid him,” he continued, “I say, ‘Look, we’re getting a little bit older, we’re 36 now, internally, but we ain’t 30 no more dawg. We gotta like respect the body, yo!'” Randy added.

In an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show with former American Idol judge Paula Abdul, Kelly Clarkson asked if they would ever return to the show. “I would only do it if Paula and Simon and Seacrest were still there,” Randy said. The original judges clearly share a strong bond after launching the show together.

Both Judges Have Also Gone Through Health Journeys

Randy has gone through a dramatic weight loss over the past few years. The 64-year-old lost over 114 pounds after he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes during the early seasons of American Idol. He knew that he needed to make a change in his life.

“I just went through a food divorce and I stopped emotional eating,” Randy said. “I was just trying to get healthy because I developed type 2 diabetes and I had to. So I’m happy that I did, and I’m happy that it inspires people.”

Before his electric bike accident, Simon was going through a health journey of his own. The 61-year-old entertainment mogul followed a vegan diet that led to his slimmer appearance. After the accident, he ditched the diet and began eating proteins again to rebuild his strength. Though he missed out on taping the live shows of both ‘AGT’ and ‘BGT,’ Simon flaunted his new body on the beach.

SEE ALSO: SIMON COWELL SHOWS OFF SLIM FIGURE & HAS A WORKOUT SESSION DURING BARBADOS VACATION

It was announced that the 15th season of ‘BGT’ will be postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Fans are still patiently waiting to see Simon on their television screens again.