"America's Got Talent" fans had a mini-heart attack after #RIPSimonCowell became a trending topic on Twitter on Wednesday.

The internet was in total shock to learn that the most-hated (yet somehow loved by some) talent show judge suddenly passed away.

However, the 60-year-old TV executive is very much alive! In fact, he just had a virtual interview with "The Kelly Clarkson Show" on Thursday, during which he could be seen sitting pretty on a couch wearing a crisp white button-down and jeans.

Simon Cowell Dead?

Despite the clarification, it still begs the question: why and how did the United States get the #RIPSimonCowell number one on Twitter's trending topic?

Well, it all started when internet users noticed an edit on Cowell's Wikipedia information profile saying that he died on June 25, 2020 in Lambeth, London. The inaccurate Wikipedia edit stated that Cowell's "lifespan" was from October 7, 1959 until June 25, 2020.

Simon Cowell's Career

Before earning the most-critical-talent-show-judge crown, Cowell's career started in the music industry. Apparently, he worked in the mailroom of EMI Music Publishing at the age of 16, according to Britannica.

In 1979, he was given a chance to discover talented performers to sing newly published songs. Ten years later, he was hired by BMG Records as an artist and repertoire consultant.

Some of Cowell's famous talent discoveries include the boy bands West Life, One Direction, all-girl group Little Mix, Fifth Harmony, and Leona Lewis.

Can't Stop Judging

In his recent appearance at Kelly Clarkson's show, Cowell admitted that he could not stop "judging" other people ever since becoming a judge on a television show.

Clarkson, who has experienced being a juror herself, asked Cowell if he gives out unsolicited advice or opinion without others asking.

"Of course!" Simon replied. "It's almost like your full-time occupation now is to be a judge on everything. It's hilarious."

Tags
Simon Cowell, Death hoax