From The Guardian
On Saturday evening, after serious consideration, I decided to make a little act of protest about something that matters profoundly to me. Before any explanation of that gesture, I’d like to apologise unequivocally to Richard and Adam, the contestants whose performance I disrupted; I was planning to do it once the song finished, but I got a bit nervous and went slightly early. I sincerely apologise for overshadowing their moment and to anyone watching and in the live audience who felt that their evening’s entertainment was marred, or even ruined. However, I am not sorry for pelting Simon Cowell with eggs.
I have no desire to be famous and I’m not an attention seeker. My actions were intended as a non-violent, egg-based protest because I think Cowell has too much power and influence in the entertainment industry. I also just wanted to make him look a bit silly. I hoped it would come across as a British panto-style jape, which might also generate some more serious debate.
I have received many messages of support from well-known musicians who I’ve worked with in the past, who’ve contacted me privately, but who are unwilling to express their support publicly. Everyone is scared of standing up to people like Cowell. I don’t dislike him personally; I just don’t like what he represents.
Reality TV talent shows are not the way to discover the next Beatles, or to nurture talented musicians and entertainers. The people who seem to benefit most from talent shows are the judges.
The consequences of my prank have already turned out to be more serious than I had anticipated. I have already had work cancelled. I am also aware that some of the press are eager to label me as an unhinged, hysterical woman. I’m not. I did what I did out of meaningful consideration; I did it because I care, not because I do not.
Like many other young musicians, I studied at educational institutions which I believe truly nurture talent rather than exploit it. However, the industry into which they emerge these days is too dominated by reality talent formats such as Britain’s Got Talent, and real long-term opportunities for talent are stifled. So I felt that, on behalf of musicians everywhere, this is an institution and a man that needed standing up to.
Given that I had been asked to mime on stage, it was not difficult for me to put down my violin and pull the organic eggs out of my tights, and take a direct shot at Cowell; he was smiling as I threw the eggs and he seemed to take it in the right spirit.
PR people and agents have made it known, however, that my actions might have more serious consequences for me so I would like to thank Cowell for not pressing charges. As an act of goodwill, I would also be happy to offer to pay his dry cleaning bill or buy him a new shirt, maybe with a few more buttons at the top.
